When a couple decides to tie the knot and build a life together, the last thing they’re thinking about is calling it quits and ending their union.
Far too many couples, however, head to get divorced when wedded bliss turns sour. If you find yourself in that unenviable situation, you’ll want to retain the services of a good divorce lawyer.
Some brave — yet misguided — souls seek to handle the process independently. It might seem like a good idea if the two parties agree on the terms of divorce like child custody, property division, and spousal support. But even if the process is non-adversarial, that doesn’t mean you don’t need a lawyer. A legal professional in your corner can ensure you get a good deal. The outcome should be as fair as possible for all parties. No one should have to “lose” for the other party to “win.”
You’ll get the best results if you select a divorce lawyer with the right experience. That means finding a good fit. With that said, here are four red flags to be on the lookout for when looking for a legal professional to hire.
1. Poor Communication Skills
Poor communication skills are a bad sign. If you hire a divorce lawyer who can’t explain things well enough for you to comprehend, who is loosey-goosey about getting back to you whether by phone or email, or who talks at you rather than with you, the divorce process may be more stressful than you bargained for.
It’s hard enough to get through the process if both parties behave like civilized adults, but working with a lawyer who isn’t as communicative as you need is a red flag. You need someone who is and who won’t leave you hanging. Find a reputable legal professional who communicates in a way that resonates with you.
2. Lack of Family Law Experience
It’s also a mistake to hire a lawyer lacking experience in the family law realm. Being a jack of all trades might be okay when tackling DIY home improvement projects, but it’s not a good quality if you need a lawyer to help during divorce proceedings. You need a legal professional who knows applicable family law inside and out, and who has experience in the courtroom and at the bargaining table in your local court system.
3. Winner-Takes-All Mentality
While you want a divorce lawyer who will represent you and get you a fair deal, you don’t need one with an adversarial winner-takes-all mentality.
One reason to hire a lawyer is that the legal professional should be less emotionally involved in the process and help you make level-headed decisions. But if the lawyer wants you to win and your partner to lose, that could create a volatile environment that doesn’t serve the interests of either party. This is especially true if there are children involved. When making decisions, factor the best interests of all parties in the equation so that no one feels like they came out on the losing end.
4. Negative Reviews or Disciplinary Issues
Another thing to be on the lookout for is negative reviews or disciplinary problems. You shouldn’t base a decision solely on online reviews, but a ton of negative reviews should be a red flag. You can learn a lot about how a lawyer will treat you by seeing how they’ve treated other clients in the past.
Check with the state bar association to see if any lawyers on your shortlist have been disciplined due to professional misconduct.
When seeking a divorce lawyer, ensure you keep these tips in mind. The effort to find a reputable service provider will be well worth it since you’ll get the help you need during one of life’s most trying ordeals.
