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Choosing A Divorce Attorney

By: David A. Walker

Read More About Divorce

Although it is possible to get a divorce without the assistance of an attorney, if you want the best possible outcome for you and your children, it's best to work with someone who is already familiar with the ins and outs of the divorce court system in your state.

A lawyer is your advocate within the legal system. His goal is to guide you through the maze of legal obstacles and help you to get the best deal for yourself. Beyond the state you file for a divorce in, the legal representative that you select is the most important factor that will determine the outcome of your divorce. Your alimony payments, property ownership, division of assets, and child visitation and custody rights will be determined to a great degree by which lawyer you choose.

Following are 6 pointers that will assist you in selecting the right divorce lawyer to help serve your interests:

1) Always select a divorce lawyer who has divorce law expertise in your state of residence - irrespective of how good an attorney is, there is a lot to be said for having extensive experience in a particular location. What you are looking for is someone who is as familiar with the particular divorce laws in your state as he is with the back of his hand. You also want someone for whom divorce cases are a good percentage of their practice.

2) Have your first consultation with the lawyer in person - even if your lawyer comes highly recommended, you should insist on a face to face interview. You and whomever you select as your attorney will be partners though the entire divorce proceedings and possibly after. The important thing is that you will feel comfortable with the person who will be representing you. If you are uncomfortable with the attorney, then he is not the one for you. By all means, listen to your instincts and choose one whom you trust.

3) Don't hire the same lawyer as your spouse - And it doesn't matter if the divorce is an amicable one or a hostile one. The American court system is designed as an adversary system. Each spouse requires a lawyer who is looking out solely for the interest of their client. If a lawyer is representing both husband and wife, it almost impossible for him not to have a conflict of interest on more than a few of the issues that arise. Avoid this situation by hiring your own lawyer.

4) Ask for referrals - you want to know what the attorney's other clients think of his services. How they were treated. How their case progressed through the courts. And, how satisfied they were with his results. If you are having trouble finding someone to refer a lawyer to you, be aware that some states and municipalities have lawyer referral programs that can refer to to an appropriate divorce attorney convenient to you.

5) Hire an attorney convenient to where you live or work - during the course of the divorce proceedings, especially in the early stages, you will probably be meeting with your lawyer a great deal. Choosing an attorney with a convenient location will cut down on your travel expenses

6) Understand the fee structure - to prevent problems later and to help you budget, make sure that you and your lawyer understand all the fees involved. Most divorce lawyers charge by the hour but some charge a flat fee. In most cases a flat fee would only be appropriate for the absolute simplest of divorces.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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