Looking for a divorce attorney can be daunting. In addition to the stress of starting what can be an emotionally taxing process, selecting a lawyer is one of the most important decisions to be made. Here are some suggestions that may help:
1) Get Recommendations from Trusted Sources
As a starting point, a trusted professional who you have had personal experience with may be a wonderful referral source for recommending a divorce attorney. Consider reaching out to your financial professional, therapist, faith community leader, or others whom you trust to ask if they know of a lawyer who handles divorces. Once you have some names, go to those attorneys’ websites to get a feel for their approaches in order to see if you would like to interview them.
Of course Google is an option to search for a divorce attorney located near you. Many names will come up. You can narrow your search by process options available: for example, if you are seeking collaborative process, you could refine your search by specifically searching “collaborative attorney Kane county,” or “collaborative attorney DeKalb County”. Review the websites in detail. Look at attorneys who have multiple divorce process options available to you, such as mediation and collaboration and not just traditional litigation. When you have narrowed it down to a few names, then call and schedule consultations.
2) The Importance of a Personal Interview
Interviewing an attorney is imperative. Having an attorney represent you in your divorce process is a relationship that requires placing a significant amount of trust in that person. You want to be sure you share the same goals. You need to have confidence that the attorney has the knowledge and experience to handle your case, as well as a perspective that aligns with your values and how you want to proceed. Making a connection with your divorce attorney will make a significant difference in how the case proceeds. This is especially true when dealing with stressful issues that may arise in your case.
Working with an attorney who focuses solely on family matters in your geographical area is a benefit. With rapidly changing state laws and local court procedures, an attorney who stays abreast of state legislation and has experience with the expectations and practice norms in local courts will be able to provide practical advice about how laws will likely be interpreted and applied.
Ask about hourly rates and retainer requirements. It is important to understand what the cost of the services will be, both initially and ongoing, depending on how your situation progresses.
3) Choose your Divorce Process Wisely
There are different divorce processes to choose from. At Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions, we encourage non-adversarial, non-litigation processes for divorce whenever possible, including Collaborative Divorce and Mediation.
Through experience, we have found that Collaborative Divorce results in a more efficient process. The two spouses tend to reach better agreements for their family and have neutral professionals to help them understand their options and decisions. When the spouses have a future of co-parenting, this non-litigation model helps them move forward with less tension, which, of course, is much better for children.
For those who seek more aggressive litigation, we provide consultation, legal counseling and parenting coordination services and have working relationships with reputable attorneys who provide aggressive and skillful representation at contested hearings and trials. With our assessment and seasoned legal counsel, our clients are poised to succeed in court.
If you are looking for a divorce attorney, contact us at Bruckner Hernandez Legal Solutions to schedule a consultation. Our sole focus is on family law matters and we are known for focusing on respectful and non-adversarial dispute resolution models that promote harmony within families. We are well-respected, innovative leaders in the area of family law at the local, state and international levels.