When planning on filing for divorce, it is advisable to hire an attorney to help you throughout the process. If you feel like the divorce will be difficult and stressful, then you should hire a lawyer that can get the job done as smoothly as possible. When looking for an attorney look for certain traits that show they are the right ones for the job.
Has Good Knowledge of the Law
It may come as a shock to some, but lawyers do not know everything about the law. It is possible for lawyer to continue their legal education so they can stay current and help keep their practice at front. It also helps if an attorney continues their legal education because they may learn new strategies on how to handle difficult problems and it will help keep their mind sharp. It is recommended to find an attorney that has or will seek out the information that will help you.
Works Well With Others
One of the key features to look for when searching for an attorney is if they have a team, that is a paralegal, an associate or two, or a case manager. The reason is that a good attorney knows they cannot do everything by themselves, so to work more effectively; they will delegate certain tasks to their team members. This is great for you because if your main attorney is in court or unavailable to speak with you, you can just speak with one of his team members to get any of your questions answered. Also good to note, an attorney that has a team will not always be more expensive that a solo practitioner, so it is important that you look for an attorney that is best for you.
They have Dedication
We have all heard the phrase “do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”, this is especially true for attorneys. A great lawyer is someone that is a bit competitive and passionate about their job; that shows that they will be dedicated to helping you any way possible. Some cases can take a long time to be resolved, if you feel like the lawyer you are thinking of hiring doesn’t have the drive and dedication you need, it is recommended that you seek another one.
They are Honest
Hiring an attorney that has an honest reputation is another thing to keep in mind. A lawyer that is not known for their honesty will have a difficult time establishing the trust that is needed to help resolve any issues that might happen. Dishonesty will also have an impact on how they are perceived in the courtroom. There are attorneys out there that are honest and they have a great connection with their clients and the courts.
They are Creative
A great quality to look for in your attorney is their ability to think outside the box. This will help them in anticipating problems and finding solutions to them that others would normally not even consider. Having a creative and unique strategy for your case is not only necessary to get the outcome you want, but it might even be more affordable that common approaches to a similar case.
They Have Experience
The law has been slowly updating and modernizing with the times. A lawyer that is attempting to do everything themselves cannot possibly have had time to gain the experience that a good attorney needs. A smart attorney will choose a field and specialize in it, which is the attorney you should be looking for, one that is specialized in the field your case is in. An experienced attorney is known in the courts, which is a great help.
They have Rapport
It is recommended that you find an attorney that have some sort of compatibility with since you will be spending some time with them and communicating thoughts and private details about yourself with them. Finding a lawyer is almost like dating, find one that has qualities you like, that will make it that much easier to establish a connection and work together because let’s face it, why would you pay for someone to be rude to you.
They have Great Writing Ability
Because most attorneys spend a significant portion of their time writing and drafting documents, it is advisable to find one that is great at it. Find an attorney that is direct and gets to the point as opposed to one that uses flashy and extravagant wording that is simply too hard to decipher what they are saying. This is important because often the judge you will be in front of probably read your plead the night before or in some cases the morning of the hearing, and if the wording is too ostentatious the judge might be a little annoyed, and an annoyed judge is not who you want deciding your case.
They are Available
It is known that emergencies happen and situations arise. A prepared attorney will have the time and resources to address any problems that happen while still having time to answer any question you may have during the process, if not them then someone from their team. It is a great relief to know that someone is there to be available for you when you need them.
They are Cost Effective
First, it is important to note that “cost effective” is not the same thing as cheap – which office goes in hand with inexperienced. However, it is important to hire the attorney that is best suited for your case. Also, you do not want to hire the cheapest lawyer you find because they usually will not put in the necessary extra work in your case to make sure that future problems are minimize or eliminated as much as possible. But also, the most expensive lawyer is not always the right one for your case either. Find a divorce attorney that you trust and will work with you for a fee that is in your budget.
