A divorce proceeding is the last thing that a couple can ask for. The very thought of stepping into a court house and working with your lawyer to reach amicable solutions on the whole issue can be mind-boggling and frustrating.
The first and foremost question that needs to be answered is whether you need one. In most of the cases, where you are able to reach an amicable divorce settlement, a lawyer’s assistance will not be required. Following are the cases where you might require legal expertise from a lawyer: - In the event of either a verbal, physical or sexual abuse by your partner in the relationship.
- In case you foresee any threat to either your life or those of any of your close family members, including your children.
- In the event that your spouse goes forward to hire a lawyer first. It is advisable that you also hire one unless you are familiar with divorce proceedings yourself and can manage it single-handed. If it is a complicated case of child custodial rights or that of asset sharing, it is always better that you take experts opinion on that.
Now that you have decided to go ahead with the divorce process, you will have to make the critical decision of choosing the right lawyer. Much of your future depends on this person, who will be fighting for your assets, and custodial and child support rights of your children.
Selecting a divorce lawyer is a critical aspect of divorce that can make or break you down. Doing the right thing at the right time the first time, can save you a lot of regrets in your later life. After all, you do not want to add more to your already pain-causing divorce woes. There are a few important decisions that you need to take in phases in choosing the right lawyer.
Phase One: Each divorce proceeding is different and you need to determine the category to which yours belongs. Is it the one where you and your spouse decide to settle things amicably? Or, it the one where you need the help of a third party to arbitrate or negotiate a deal? Or, is it the worst case where you have decided to wage a war against your spouse and tear him apart? If you have chosen the third option, rest assured that you are providing your lawyers with the treat of their lives.
Phase Two: Depending on your case, you can prepare an initial list of divorce lawyers in your area. This can either be done by running through the ads in your yellow pages or seeking the help of the Internet. You can also take the help of friends and relatives on this.
Phase Three: After you have made the initial list, you can fix up an interview with each of those lawyers on your list. Before you go for the meeting you need to prepare yourself on the following:- An outline or an abridged version of your married life.
- Proof of your financial liabilities, income and expenditure, tax returns and your bank statement.
The initial interview is exactly the place where you will, by assessing them on certain key factors, make a choice, as follows: |
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