Going through a divorce is one of the three most stressful things a person can experience as it affects you emotionally, financially and often results in a complete change in your daily life. The stress can be compounded if you choose the wrong divorce or family law attorney to represent you in your case. Choosing the right lawyer is more than just picking a name out of a phone book. You should feel comfortable with the team representing you. You will establish a relationship that will last the duration of your case focused on sensitive topics in your life. Below are tips for helping you to determine the right lawyer for you.
Seek Referrals
You may have friends or relatives who have gone through a divorce. They can be an excellent source of information from a client relationship perspective. While you shouldn’t choose a lawyer based on the outcome of a friend’s case because each case is unique, they can provide insight into their comfort level with the staff, how they were treated, levels of communication, and similar elements of the relationship.
Lawyers, accountants, psychotherapists, members of the clergy and other professionals meet and work with divorce lawyers in the course of their work. These are often a good source of referrals. Ask for the names of attorneys who work uniquely in the area of family law. The attorneys should have good credentials, reputations and qualifications appropriate to your case.
Complete Your Own Research
The attorney you select should limit his/her practice to family law and divorce cases, and ideally have many years of experience, which will include work in the courtroom. When you select a family law attorney, you want one with the legal skills and knowledge needed to get the job done for you. It is imperative that the attorney you choose is familiar with the family law judges in your jurisdiction. Knowing the courtroom style of the judge who’s likely to hear your case and how the judge has ruled on previous cases similar to yours helps your attorney adapt his/her legal strategy and style to that particular judge. The only way an attorney gains experience with judges is practicing in front of those judges. The attorney and his/her staff, in the same manner and just as important, will become familiar with the each judge’s staff. A substantial amount of work is accomplished without ever going to court. It is accomplished through attorney’s and clients working together and with court staff. Experienced family law attorneys know how to navigate these waters to the best advantage of their clients in each case.
Communication between the client and attorney is of paramount importance! It is imperative that you have a positive, comfortable free-flow of information between you and your attorney. If you are relying on an attorney to do more than simply review your divorce paperwork, you must be prepared to share details about your personal life, children, marriage, and finances. Therefore, you must feel comfortable with whoever represents you.
In addition, your attorney should share and support your basic philosophy or attitude toward your divorce. For example, if you want to keep things as calm, cooperative, and non-adversarial as possible, then avoid attorneys who like to “go for the jugular.”
Ask Questions
During the interview process, don’t just trust your gut! These questions can be helpful in selecting your lawyer:
- What is likely to happen to me?
- How much property will I get?
- How much support will I get?
- How much support will I have to pay?
- Does it make a difference?
- Do you have associates or paralegals?
- How do you decide who does what work on my case?
- Are you reachable by phone?
- If I call and you aren’t available, how is my call handled?
- How much do you know about the judge who will decide my case if it goes to trial?
This narrative is not intended as a comprehensive explanation of Divorce Law in all cases and under all circumstances in Arizona. The law must be applied to the specific facts of each case. Our Judges interpret these laws and the cases interpreting these laws in fluctuating manners depending on a number of factors, giving varying weight to the different factors sighted in our statutes, rules and case precedence. If you are interested in a comprehensive consultation on your rights in the state of Arizona as they pertain to divorce law, Kent Lee Law can provide you with the answers you need. Please feel free to call (623) 889-7760 to schedule an appointment and discuss your options.
