How Do I Hire a Good Divorce Attorney?

Divorce is ugly and not something to be taken lightly; choosing Arizona’s reputable divorce attorneys is essential. Divorce comes with a slew of legal problems you need expert advice for, from the custody rights of children to the property division.

A wrong decision in divorce can have extremely negative consequences. You don’t want to end up paying for something you disagree with or, worse – seeing something happen that shouldn’t. And by not making the right decision, you are putting everything you’ve worked for (your children, family, house, and even your freedom) at risk. Read to learn how to hire a good divorce attorney

They Should Practice Family Law

Look for a firm or attorney that devotes their practice to family law, custody, property distribution, or alimony to help you navigate the process. The more experience they have in this area, the better your chances are that they will help you get the best results.

Also, look into how long they have been practicing law and their track record with cases like yours. Look at previous instances in which they have represented clients like yourself. It gives you an idea of what kind of work they do and how well they do it!

Contact Them

If you are considering hiring a divorce attorney, you should contact them. How do they respond? Are they friendly and interested in your needs, or are they busy and seem like they’re just trying to get rid of you? It gives you an idea of the kind of person they are and how they conduct business. 

The best time to call is during business hours. If it’s after hours, or if they don’t answer the phone, that may indicate that this is not someone who has time for clients. Or it could mean they’re just really busy with other cases—it’s hard to tell without further investigation!

Check Reviews but Don’t Trust All of Them

You can’t always trust reviews. Some attorneys have a lot of positive reviews because they have a great marketing team that’s constantly collecting testimonials from satisfied clients and posting them on their websites and social media profiles. Other lawyers have negative reviews because people are often angry about the result of their case, even when the lawyer did everything right.

So how do you know if an attorney is worth the money?

Ask around – Talk to friends, family members, co-workers, and neighbors who might have used divorce attorneys. They might give you insight into what it’s like working with that particular attorney before signing contracts or paying fees upfront.

Scope out their website – If they have one! Learn more about their background and what they specialize in based on their website alone. You should also see some examples of cases they’ve handled before.

Check Arizona State Bar

The website lists all of the lawyers in your area, and you can search by name or practice area. You can also read reviews from other clients about their experience with the attorney to understand how they operate.

They are probably safe to hire if they have a license from the State Bar and have no complaints against them. You can also see if they have disciplinary actions against them by checking their license status.

Interview Prospective Attorneys

When searching for a divorce attorney, interview as many attorneys as possible; the more you speak with, the better your idea of what will work best for your situation.

You should have a list of questions to ask before you meet with an attorney. Here are some examples:

• What is your fee structure? 
• What are your rates for court appearances, document preparation, and other services? 
• Will you be able to handle my case on a contingency basis? 
• How long have you been practicing law?
• What percentage of your cases do you try to settle without trial? 
• How many divorces have you handled? 
• What can I expect from our relationship as client and attorney? 
• Will we work together closely throughout the process, or will we communicate through others? Do you have any experience handling international divorce cases? If so, what issues do these cases involve?

Consider Costs

Ask your potential attorney for an estimate of the total cost of your case. You should also ask if there will be any additional charges or fees you might have to pay in addition to the initial fee.

It’s also essential to understand how much time your case will take to resolve. It affects how much you pay. 

If they’re hesitant or vague about how much they’ll charge, that could be a red flag. If they don’t know what their services will cost until after they’ve reviewed your case and done some research, that could also be a red flag.

Think of your divorce as a marathon, and then think of how badly you wouldn’t want to start that marathon without experience and professional training. It’s no different with divorce attorneys: do your research, ask for recommendations, and after interviewing a few candidates, you should feel comfortable with your choice.