Ending a marriage is a long and arduous task and it is not something that should be undertaken lightly. It isn't a decision that should be made quickly and it shouldn't be your first option-especially if you and your spouse have kids. Upon deciding to get a divorce the first person you need to is a divorce lawyer. Divorce lawyers can let you know what the current divorce laws are and help you figure out the best way to dissolve your marriage.
Some couples might want to try mediation instead of getting separate divorce lawyers. Mediators are still divorce lawyers, but they work with both spouses on coming to consensual agreements about how to divide up the household assets. Mediators are a good idea for spouses who think that they can dissolve their marriage amicably and without incident. Mediation divorce lawyers are also easier for your children to deal with as mediation involves both of the parents working together to figure out what is best for the entire family while separate divorce lawyers can cause the parents to be at odds with each other-putting the children in the middle of a volatile situation.
When finding divorce lawyers, the first people you should talk to are any of your friends who have gone through a divorce. They refer you to their divorce lawyer or to other divorce lawyers they think might be a good fit for you. If you cannot get recommendations from your friends (or coworkers), then you will need to start contacting the divorce lawyers in your area. Here is a list of questions you need to ask each of the divorce lawyers you are considering working with:
1. How many divorce cases have you handled?
2. What steps are involved in the divorce process?
3. How long does a divorce usually take?
4. How many cases are you working on? Will you have time to give my case the attention that it deserves? How easily can I get a hold of you if I have questions?
5. How do you deal with clients? Can I call you or do you prefer that questions and phone conversations be scheduled?
6. How much do you cost and how do you bill your clients? Do I need to pay a retainer? Do you have an hourly rate? Can I make payments if I need to?
7. How much will the filing fees be?
8. Do you handle the cases yourself or does a lot of the work get farmed out to your legal assistant? What is the rate for the legal assistant's service?
9. What do you feel about litigation and settling?
Make sure you get everything in writing. Not only will this help you remember everything you talked about, but it becomes a legal document to be held against future charges. Make sure that you talk to a few prospective divorce lawyers and follow up with any references they offer. You want to have a good relationship with your divorce lawyer and it might take time to find one who fits the bill.
How to Get a Divorce Tip #1
You need a lawyer. Even if you think that things will stay friendly and both you and your spouse make every effort to keep them that way, a lawyer must be consulted to make sure that everything is filled out and filed correctly. You can use the same lawyer if you want to keep the costs down, but a lawyer must be consulted. |
How to Get a Divorce Tip #2
Your County Clerk is the best place to go for divorce forms and filings. They will have the forms that are the most up to date. Using older forms can waste time and money when you are forced to fill out a more current version. Laws and forms change all the time, make sure yours are the correct ones to use! |
How to Get a Divorce Tip #3
This is not going to be an easy time for you. Even if you and your spouse are convinced that the divorce is in both of your best interests and things remain friendly, ending a marriage is never an easy process. Make sure you have a good system of support surrounding you to help you get through it. |
