What Should You Look For In A Divorce Lawyer?

Deciding to legally separate is never an easy decision. There can be big emotions, tough financial decisions to make, child custody concerns, future living arrangements, and so many other factors. If you have made that difficult call, then you need a divorce lawyer who can guide you through the whole process, supporting your decisions but also providing objective advice.

What Kind of Lawyer is a Divorce Attorney?

Divorce law is a branch of family law. It makes sense, because divorce, while never entered into easily, is something that directly affects a family, whether it is just two people separating or includes children, long-term care adults, or even pets.

How Should a Divorce Lawyer Support You?

Since there are so many emotional aspects to a divorce, first and foremost, a good divorce attorney should be an excellent communicator, be patient working through thorny problems and proceedings, be meticulous in reviewing claims and settlement documents, and be a calm and stabilizing influence throughout the process. In short, a top divorce attorney, when interacting with you, should be calm, thoughtful, patient, and highly organized.

What Specific Skills Should your Attorney Possess?

Divorce proceedings are becoming more and more complex as family structures, technology, and even criminal factors come into play. The short answer is "it depends on what you need a divorce attorney to do."  Here are some specific examples to help clarify:

• You are seeking full custody of your children and are accusing your spouse of abuse, which is a criminal charge. In this case, you need an attorney who is deeply versed in the criminal aspects of abuse and neglect.
• You have shared assets that are thoroughly interwoven; your attorney needs to have a strong understanding of financial matters to navigate a settlement.
• You are seeking an amicable, no-fault divorce. In this case, you may need someone who is understanding and can see both sides, instead of being highly focused on just yours, to help you continue through an amicable separation.
• You are subject to a prenuptial agreement that you are contesting. For this situation, you need a lawyer who has extensive experience fighting and invalidating prenuptial agreements.
• Your financial settlement and/or child custody is dependent upon a "no-fault" finding and your spouse is looking to prove fault. The experience required here can vary, but your lawyer should have a solid record of disproving fault-based evidence brought up during negotiations or in court.

While divorce is almost always a difficult process, it can be easier if you have chosen a divorce attorney who can support you both emotionally and with specific expertise. For more information, contact a divorce lawyer near you.