6 Essential Traits to Look for in a Divorce Lawyer

If you are going to get a divorce, the best thing you can do is find a good divorce lawyer. You are in for a difficult process even in the best of circumstances. If you don’t have a good divorce lawyer on your side, that process can be made worse by you losing out on a portion of assets to which you are entitled or losing some of your other rights. Your lawyer can help you get what you deserve.

How do you know if you’ve found a good divorce lawyer? You can start with referrals from friends and family to find a good list of lawyers to research, and then you can whittle down that list by interviewing the lawyers and looking for these top traits:

Good Communication

You can tell right away if a lawyer is going to communicate well with you. Does he return your calls in a timely manner? Does she respond to emails in depth? Is he patient and thorough during your initial interview? These are traits you are going to want when you are in the thick of divorce proceedings and things are confusing and emotional.

You should also look for an attorney who can also explain complex legal concepts in way that they are easy for you to understand. You don’t want an attorney who is going to talk over your head, leaving you confused and even more uneasy during your divorce. Look for an attorney who can communicate all the information you need clearly and who will be there when you have questions.

Plenty of Experience

Anything can come up during a divorce, and you need an attorney who has the training and experience to know how to handle it. An attorney fresh out of law school might know some basic points of law, but experience will give him a broader knowledge of case law, exceptions, effective strategies, and so on. Experience will also give an attorney time to improve important skills including negotiation, litigation, and mediation.

You should be able to check an attorney’s experience before the interview. Most will put this information on their website, and you can check it against information with the state Bar Association. Be sure to confirm experience during the initial interview, as well.

Ability to Work Well Under Pressure

Some people fall apart under pressure – the kind of pressure an attorney can face under deadline or in court proceedings during a contentious divorce. You would assume that any person who is a practicing attorney can work well under pressure, but this isn’t always true.

This isn’t really something you can assess for yourself until you see the attorney in action, so try to attend a hearing where the attorney will be arguing if you can. If you can’t do that, read the attorney’s reviews carefully and check references, paying special attention to feedback about the attorney’s performance under pressure.

Support and Resources

Divorce is a hard process, and you will likely have a lot of questions and need a lot of support during this time outside of the legal conversations you will have with your attorney. The best divorce attorneys will offer support and resources, such as recommending reading materials for you, referring you to workshops or support groups, or offering counseling referrals for your family. Ask about what support and resources are available when you interview prospective attorneys.

Availability

You may find a great attorney, but if he’s not available, it won’t matter. Check with the attorney’s schedule to make sure he has the time to take on your divorce in the timeframe you want. If you’re willing to wait, you might still be able to get on the schedule. Talk about these logistics before you make a decision.

Pricing

Again, you may love a certain attorney, but if he charges more than you can afford, it won’t matter. Make sure you ask about costs up front and you are clear about how everything will be billed. That can include document preparation, court appearances, mediation, phone calls, answering emails, and more. Never assume that something is included in the previous price unless you confirmed it already.

Finding a great divorce lawyer can take time, but the process is well worth it. With the right attorney on your side, you can get a divorce faster and increase the chances that you will get the divorce settlement you need. The right attorney will also make the overall process a much easier one, helping to ease some of the burden of your divorce.

The divorce attorneys at My AZ Lawyers have all the skills and experience you need, and they are ready to help you through your divorce. Our compassionate attorneys will guide you through the divorce process step-by-step, ensuring that all your questions are answered and that you are making empowered decisions. Our goal is to help you protect your rights and get what you deserve from the divorce. Call us today to talk with an Arizona divorce lawyer to learn more.

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My AZ Lawyers

Mesa Location:
1731 West Baseline Rd., Suite #100
Mesa, AZ 85202
Office: (480) 448-9800

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Glendale, AZ 85308
Office: (602) 509-0955

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Tucson, AZ 85701
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Avondale, AZ 85392
Office: (623) 399-4222