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Life Stages and Changes: Finding a First-Class Family Law Attorney

Modified on November 13, 2014 at 11:12 AM

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 very sad mom and child

It takes enormous resolve to admit to yourself that your marriage isn’t working, and to finally tell your spouse how you feel. Once the dam bursts, though, it can be difficult to stop yourself. You can feel an enormous sense of urgency to move as soon as possible and put an end the marriage.

However, the time after you decide to get divorced is exactly when you should slow down. You have important decisions to make at this point and they will affect your life for years to come. Many people end up with unfair divorce settlements because they hurried in the beginning and hired the first divorce attorney they found online.

While no one wants to change lawyers in the middle of complex divorce proceedings, roughly a third of all filers do exactly that. Their experience with their first choice of lawyer is that bad. Your choice of divorce attorney is crucial not just for the outcome, but also for the way the entire process is handled. When you have a good lawyer, the divorce process can be far less stressful for you and your children.

If you’re considering divorce, you want to do it right the first time. You only get one shot at this so don’t compromise or cut corners anywhere.

Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

 

Find a Lawyer Early

Even if you aren’t completely sure that you wish to begin divorce proceedings, it’s a good idea to begin researching lawyers early. If things move quickly, you don’t want to find yourself scrambling.

It isn’t enough to simply try the top five lawyers listed on Google. Google is only able to rank lawyers on the basis of their marketing skills. Whether these people actually practice law very well is a different matter.

It’s a much better idea to ask other professionals that you may know, for recommendations. Ask your CPA, therapist, dentist, financial advisor, or your friends. Recently divorced friends might even suggest their ex’s lawyer.

 

You Want a Divorce/Family Law Specialist

The law and its practice are complex enough to challenge even those who specialize in a narrow area. It hardly makes sense, then, to hire a general-purpose lawyer. There are a great many changes made to the law and its practice on a regular basis. Only a professional specializing in divorce/family law would stand a chance.

 

Do Not Hesitate to Ask Plenty of Questions

The legal practice field is full of people with less than adequate training or dedication. Even if you have glowing reviews of a lawyer’s abilities, you don’t know the back story. The positive experiences could be exceptions. You can’t risk your divorce on assumptions. It’s important that you grill every lawyer on your list with meaningful questions. Try these questions:

  • If I choose your firm, will you represent me or will it be someone else in your firm?
  • Who will be assisting you in your case? Can I meet them?
  • If I have questions at any point, do I get to contact you or your secretary?
  • How long have you been in family law? How much of your experience is in this state? 
  • How much specific experience do you have with child custody, child support, alimony divorce settlements, and aggressive spouses?
  • How many of your cases have you settled?
  • What kind of retainer do I need to pay, and will I get a refund if there is an unused portion at the end?

Before you speak to a lawyer, find out if he has ever appeared in the media, say, in a celebrity case or on a news channel to explain a point of law. If there are media appearances, you’ll be able to look them up on YouTube and get a feeling for the way the lawyer works. In South Florida, for instance, James S.Werter of Werterlaw.com has numerous media appearances to his credit.

 

Write Everything Down

You can’t expect to remember everything you see, hear, and feel at the lawyer’s office. It’s usually a good idea to make a point of recording everything, with the lawyer’s permission. You can think more clearly when you listen to your recording at home.

At this stage, it’s important to trust your gut. If you feel comfortable going with a certain lawyer, you should. If not, you should keep looking.

 

Guest Blogger: Lance Estep is a retired attorney that still likes to keep his mind in the game. While enjoying his retirement, he also enjoys passing on his insights through blogging.

Related posts:

No related posts.

Posted By Guest Blogger
on November 13, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Filed Under: Parenting
Tagged With: attorney, divorce, family law, family lawyer, lawyer, Parenting

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

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You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

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If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

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Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

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These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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