When it’s time to buckle down and find your divorce lawyer, the stress can really hit. It’s a daunting task to find someone that will represent you and your best interests for several months (or longer) in order to make the process easier on you and your family.
You want to decide on a lawyer that is competent, experienced, compassionate, will serve you well and will take the stress off as much as possible. Beyond that, there are a few important traits you should always look for in a good divorce lawyer. Here’s what to look out for:
- Good Communication
Communication is absolutely essential in a relationship with your divorce attorney. You need to be able to openly and effectively communicate to them your concerns for the divorce and your expectations for them as your lawyer. They will also need to be able to explain things to you in a way that you understand, provide realistic expectations, and listen well to all parties.
You also want to ensure that they are able to communicate well with your spouse’s attorney, as they will be facilitating negotiations that will hopefully keep costs down and keep things running smoothly. Beyond that, they will obviously communicate with the court and litigate on your behalf. Ensure their communication is trustworthy and represents you well.
- Experience
You don’t want just a lawyer that can represent you. You need one that will represent you well. That quality comes from skill and experience, so keep that in mind when making your decision. Your divorce will dive deep into all aspects of your life, so you want a lawyer who is knowledgeable on the complexities of your individual case. They should have represented clients in cases similar to yours in the past and be able to offer credentials to show their family law credibility.
- Availability
You can find a wonderful lawyer, but if they’re not available to represent you, then what’s it all for? While attorneys are busy professionals, they should have the infrastructure and schedule in place to be able to meet your needs and be available at the key points of the case. If they are not readily available, they should have the support or resources available to you should you need them.
Of course, you can’t expect to be their only client. However, you don’t want to be just a number to them. Find a lawyer that has time for you.
- Resources
As mentioned above, an attorney with a full support staff can come in handy when the attorney is busy. Roles like paralegals, legal assistants, and support attorneys can support your case when necessary.
- Composure
The ability to work well under pressure is paramount for a good family law attorney. They must exhibit self control and remain composed even when things may not work out the way they intended or if things get heated in the courtroom. Remaining civil and composed will help protect your interests through the divorce.
Finding The One
With all these things in mind, how do you find a divorce lawyer that meets (or exceeds) all of these standards? At The Law Office of Knox & Belcher, PLLC, we keep these traits as core tenets to our practice. We don’t accept anything less than what’s stated above, and we show each and every client the same compassion and respect. If you need a divorce attorney to represent your best side in court, contact Knox & Belcher today.