How to find the right lawyer for you

Hiring an attorney for your divorce is usually a major financial expense. The attorney who represents you can and will have a direct impact on how much your divorce will cost. Not by virtue of how much he or she charges by the hour, but by how many hours they take to get the job done.

The attorney you choose can also make your divorce a miserable process, or they can make a miserable process tolerable. In other words, it is important that you hire an attorney who is competent, mindful of not unnecessarily increasing legal fees, and that you relate to well on a personal level.

So it surprises me how many people hire the first attorney they meet with, simply (I imagine) because they do not like the process of interviewing lawyers, the issues are intimidating, and they just want to get it over with. You are hiring someone who will be charging you lot of money to do an important job. It's like a job interview to hire a key employee, and you should treat it like one.

Browsing through the phone book or responding to slick ads is the worst method for finding a lawyer. You just don't know what you are going to get. I believe the best method is to get referrals from someone you know (or a friend of a friend) who has worked with a particular attorney. Another reliable method is to ask another lawyer you know and trust to refer you to a good family law attorney.

If you are facing a divorce and need to hire someone to represent you, here is what you should know:

1. Make sure the attorney devotes the majority of his practice to Family Law. Some attorneys do well practicing in several different areas of law. Most do not. You want experience, not someone who has done a little of everything.
2. Don't hire an attorney that will not talk frankly with you about fees. If the attorney changes the subject, tells you not to worry, or gives vague answers, run out the door. The attorney should explain to you in detail about his or her fees, how he or she bills, and what and how much you are charged. The attorney should put your retainer in a trust account, and send you a detailed statement at least monthly.
3. If the attorney guarantees you results or promises a specific outcome, run faster.
4. Make certain the attorney you interview with is the one who will be handling your case. You don't want to bond with an attorney with whom you have confidence, only to be pawned off on the new attorney just out of law school. 
5. Make sure you are comfortable with the attorney on a personal level. Does he or she seem concerned with your issues? Do they take the time to explain the legal proceedings, your options, and the law? Many attorney-client relationships disintegrate simply because of personality conflicts. This is someone you will be working closely with. Make sure you can get along with them.
6. Be prepared. For your first appointment you should have a copy of last year's tax return if possible, details of your real estate holdings, mortgages, bank accounts, retirement benefits, debts, and other substantial assets. Remember, when dealing with an attorney you are paying by the hour. If you are not prepared, you only have your self to blame.  

 Again, if you need a divorce attorney, talk to your friends and family first. See if anyone you know can recommend someone based on their personal experience. Next, call an attorney you know in the community and see if he or she can refer you to someone. Finally, if a referral is not possible do some work and find at least 3 attorneys to meet with and evaluate. It may not be pleasant, but don't hire the first attorney you meet. Remember to ask about how long they have been practicing, what percentage of their practice is devoted to Family Law, how much they charge and what their billing practices are, and gauge their personalities to determine if they are someone you can work with for several months or longer. But don't just hire an attorney who seems sympathetic and tells you what you want to hear - you need someone who will tell you what you need to hear so you will be prepared to withstand the process.