Finding good divorce lawyers can be a very involved and lengthy process, but it is important to make the right decision. Because of everything involved in a divorce, from property settlements to child custody and visitation rights, there is no reason why you should not hire a competent attorney.

Step one is to think about where you can find a good divorce lawyer. There are a few ways to find a divorce lawyer, including professional or personal recommendations. If you saw a marriage counselor before deciding to divorce, the counselor can probably recommend a good divorce lawyer. The lawyer you use for other services, like estate planning, can also make recommendations. They have insider knowledge about which divorce lawyers have good court reputations. If you have friends who are recently divorced, they may be able to recommend their divorce lawyer. Ask them to tell you honestly about their experience, what they liked and disliked, and whether, if they had to do it all over again, they would still use the same attorney.

One thing to always remember when searching for divorce lawyers is you need to know how much you are able to spend and what kind of specialist you need for your situation. There are all types of specialists ranging from family law attorneys to custody lawyers and child support lawyers. When you are researching firms, you need to inquire how much a specialist costs and whether or not your case requires the use of one. After you make that decision, you need to meet with the lawyer before signing any contracts. The attorney will be able to inform you of any specific divorce laws for your state regarding anything from property division to child custody laws.

You may not feel comfortable with the first lawyer you interview, so plan to talk to at least two or three before making a choice. A lawyer needs to fit your personal style both in and out of court. If you feel intimidated by your lawyer, you could be putting yourself at the risk of not having your voice heard in court. Every lawyer will approach a judge differently, and it is not uncommon to watch potential divorce lawyers in court in your initial search. Always remember that when you do choose an attorney, divulge all the necessary information they need for your case. If you leave anything out, your lawyer will not be fully prepared and it could hurt you during the divorce settlement.

Another factor when choosing an attorney is the matter of their fees, disbursements, and billing arrangements. Fees are different from one attorney to the next, and you should ensure you can afford them. One of the choices you will have to make is whether you want to work with someone from a large law firm or someone who is a sole practitioner. You should also find out how they bill for their services. Some lawyers require you to pay fees up front, and then refund any excess payment. Other attorneys will allow you to pay as you go. Lawyers who rely on paralegals and other assistants may charge more than lawyers who do all the work alone. Researching the length of time an attorney has practiced can tell you how much he or she will charge. Once a fee has been settled upon, check all the paperwork to make sure you aren’t charged later for additional fees.

The family-law attorneys at the Stange Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to providing high quality legal consultation to clients in matters of divorce, legal separation, child custody arrangements, paternity suits, child support, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, grandparent visitation rights and other domestic litigation. They provide quality legal services throughout the Greater St. Louis area and offer free, half-hour consultations to those in need of legal counsel. Call them or email us to set up your appointment.

While looking for a divorce lawyer, it is imperative not to take shortcuts. Instead of dialing the first number you see on an ad or Yellow Pages, check and double-check for the lawyer’s credentials, reputation and track record before you make your choice. There are many benchmarks that you can use to help in making your decision:

1. Is the lawyer well qualified? Other than the mandatory LLB, there are numerous higher and more specialized degrees and certificates that the lawyer can earn. Postgraduate courses are a good second qualification, but a series of specialized certificates in family law or divorce would be the ideal qualification to opt for.

2. What is the lawyer’s track record like? You will want to find out how long he has been practicing, the type of cases he has dealt with, and – most importantly – his win-loss ratio. Preferably, opt for a lawyer who has had ample experience in family and divorce cases – preferably complex ones that make your case seem easy as pie. However, guard against lawyers who tend to take on mostly very highly paid or high-profile cases, as they may give you a lower fraction of their attention than they would give their other clients.

3. What is the lawyer’s reputation? A lawyer with an excellent record may also be known for being a threatening, conniving or downright dishonest character. Make sure to get proper references for your lawyer before trusting him with your assets and divorce process.

A lawyer in family law and divorce will be well versed in all parts of the divorce process – filing for divorce, settling the division of joint property, child custody, alimony, visiting, mediation and so on. Also, the lawyer may help you settle your case out of court or via mutual consent, which is a much less expensive and drawn-out process than a fully-fledged court battle.

Serving the Indianapolis metropolitan area from its offices in Carmel, Indiana; Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC is dedicated to providing its clients with high quality and cost-effective legal representation. Primarily known as a divorce law firm, Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC has established itself as a leader in assisting clients with all types of family law issues.

Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC provides white-glove treatment to all clients, valuing compassion and empathy along with advocacy when addressing clients’ individual needs. They are dedicated to minimizing conflict for families, striving to be problem solvers, not part of the problem. While they actively participate in various methods of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration, the lawyers of Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC are tenacious litigators, experienced in assisting individuals and families of high net worth with complex issues such as business valuations, division of stocks and retirements accounts, custody evaluations, and parental relocations. Whether your legal issue involves divorce, child custody, child support, estate planning, elder law, or education, Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC is committed to the highest standards of creativity and excellence for clients as their number one priority. To speak with a Hollingsworth & Zivitz, PC attorney, contact them now.