How to Find a Divorce Lawyer – Family Attorney
Ask Friends, Family, EAP, Bar Association, Doctor, Clergy, Referrals
Oct 26, 2009
Most people don’t know how to find a divorce lawyer, or family attorney, because they’ve never been through a divorce. Well, it’s hard to determine where to start, but a husband or wife should consider asking friends, family members, EAPs, bar associations, or local professionals, like doctors or ministers, to give them the name of a good local attorney.
If possible, people contemplating divorce, should try to get the names of three divorce attorneys, then they should interview each lawyer to find the one that seems like the best fit.
Find a Divorce Lawyer
It’s very normal for a guy or gal to feel overwhelmed when thinking about divorce. Men often worry about losing their money and their children. Women worry about losing their homes and about raising their kids on meager child-support payments. Well, it’s tough to know who to turn to for legal counsel.
Friends and Family
It’s often easy to get names of good divorce lawyers by talking to friends and family members, and sometimes co-workers. Word of mouth is a great place to start, because most people have either been through a divorce or know someone who has.
The advantage of using a friend’s attorney is that it’s easier than blindly leafing through pages of unknown names in the yellow pages. Also, meeting with random strangers, even attorneys, when going through the vulnerability of divorce, is very stressful. (Shy or shell-shocked men and women might like to have a family member accompany them to meet prospective divorce attorneys.)
The disadvantage of getting referrals from friends is that a friend’s lawyer may not be the right attorney. Some lawyers have less experience in divorce than others. Some divorce cases also involve real estate, child custody, or other areas requiring technical expertise.
When asking friends and family about their attorneys, it’s helpful to ask them questions like these:
- Did your lawyer do a good job for you?
- Was your lawyer easy to work with?
- What did you like or dislike about your lawyer?
- Would you recommend your ex’s lawyer?
- Was your lawyer knowledgeable about family law and child custody?
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Some companies provide help for their employees through their Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). These programs are usually offered in conjunction with a health insurance plan and are available to spouses as well as to employees. Often, these legal services are available free of charge or at discounted fees. EAPs are a good source of names for local divorce attorneys.
Talk to Professionals
Sometimes men and women do not feel comfortable talking to friends, family, or co-workers about their possible divorce problems. And, sometimes it is wise not to involve close pals in the early stages of a divorce.
Don't despair. There are other people in every community who deal with lawyers on a frequent basis, or who often work with individuals in the midst of divorces. Try this list of professionals who may be able to provide the names of competent divorce attorneys:
- Doctors
- Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Support Groups
- Clergy (ministers, rabbis, priests)
- Social Workers
- Accountants or Financial Advisors
- Lawyers: Talk to lawyers who are personal friends or lawyers who have been hired for business dealings, because these men and women are usually the best source for names of solid divorce attorneys.
State Bar Association
Another step in locating a divorce attorney is to contact the local state bar association. It’s an easy call to get referrals for attorneys in the area who are licensed to practice in one's state and who specialize in divorce law.
Often, the state bar association’s free referral service will give out the name of one lawyer who will offer a free 30 minute consultation (usually by phone). It is possible to call the bar association, again, and get a second (or third) name and number for another lawyer.
Lawyer Referral Services
Some lawyer referral services are a good source of information; however, the best organizations have higher standards for screening their list of attorneys than do lesser referral services. And, while all of the attorneys on the list are approved by their respective state bar association, the best lists contain lawyers with experience and specific qualifications concerning divorce.
Ask the referral service what qualifications are used, otherwise it's impossible to judge how carefully their attorneys have been pre-screened.
Find a Lawyer Directories
Some website lists, such as Nolo’s Directory, offer a detailed profile about each “lawyer’s experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer’s general philosophy of practicing law.” [“How to Find an Excellent Lawyer”, 2009. Nolo.com] Nolo is just one of many websites offering expansive lists of lawyers, in state-by-state groupings. It’s a good idea to look up various lawyers to see if they have their own websites with biography, curriculum vitae, and informational articles.
After collecting several names for divorce attorneys, it is time to talk to the lawyers, in person, to see which one has the best qualifications.
Read more articles about Divorce and Life After Divorce.
Information from this article is not intended to be a substitute for advice from a lawyer, financial planner, therapist, or other professional. Please consult a lawyer or other professional for specific advice.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
