Going through a divorce?
Every year, around 673,000 divorces are filed in the United States. Which means thousands and thousands of people are making one of the most difficult decisions of their lives…
And almost none of them know how to find a divorce attorney who will fight for them.
The problem is simple:
The wrong lawyer will make your divorce take forever (months, maybe years), cost thousands of dollars more than it should, and leave you with an unfair settlement.
Without a good attorney, you might walk away without assets, custody time, or your sanity.
But finding the right divorce attorney doesn’t have to be so difficult. In fact, I can show you how to quickly find someone who truly understands your case and will be there for you.
Let’s do this…
Here’s what you need to know:
- Understanding What Type of Divorce You Need
- Finding The Right Divorce Attorney For Your Case
- Questions You Should Ask During Consultations
- Red Flags To Watch Out For
Understanding What Type of Divorce You Need
The first thing you need to know is what kind of divorce you’re facing.
Divorce isn’t always cut and dry. There are different types and they each require a unique approach.
Not all divorces are equally acrimonious. Some are fairly amicable. Others are straight up war.
Understanding your type of divorce will help you find the right divorce attorney in Memphis who specializes in the type of divorce you need.
Here are the main types:
- Uncontested divorce – Both you and your spouse agree to the divorce and all the details (like custody and property division). This is usually the fastest and least expensive option. You still need a lawyer, but they won’t be preparing for trial.
- Contested divorce – You and your spouse cannot agree on certain key issues. Contested divorces often go to court and you will need a divorce attorney who knows how to fight for you.
- Mediated divorce – You are willing to negotiate but need an outside party to help facilitate an agreement. Mediation is an option if you want to avoid court but need some guidance to reach an agreement.
- Collaborative divorce – Each side has specially trained collaborative lawyers. Both parties agree to work together in good faith. If you can’t reach an agreement, both lawyers are withdrawn and you have to start over.
Your type of divorce completely changes the kind of attorney you need. A great mediation lawyer is probably not the best choice for a contested divorce that’s going to trial.
Finding The Right Divorce Attorney For Your Case
Now that you understand the type of divorce you have, you can start looking for a good attorney to represent you.
Start by researching.
Don’t just pick the first lawyer you find online or in the Yellow Pages. You want an attorney who specializes in family law and has dealt with cases like yours before.
Talk to people. Friends, family, or coworkers who have gone through divorce can offer real attorney recommendations. Hearing about someone’s personal experience is worth far more than reading an ad. Online reviews are fine, but don’t take them as gospel.
Look for these qualities:
Specializes in family law. Get a lawyer who practices family law and only family law. Divorce is a complicated beast. You don’t want a lawyer who “does a little bit of everything” or handles divorce cases only occasionally. There are nearly 57,000 family law attorneys in the US, you can find one who specializes.
Has local experience. It’s not just about practice area. Your divorce attorney needs to know your local family court judges, procedures, and how things actually work in your area. The best attorney from three counties over is great, but they won’t know all the local customs and idiosyncrasies.
Matches your budget. Be realistic about what you can and can’t afford. Hiring an attorney is expensive, but it’s also a major investment. The cheapest lawyer might not be the best and the most expensive probably isn’t right for your case either.
Matches your needs. Think about what you want out of your divorce case and attorney. If you want to avoid going to court, don’t hire an attorney known for being overly aggressive. If your spouse already hired a shark, you’ll probably need one too.
Questions You Should Ask During Consultations
Most divorce attorneys will offer a free consultation. Use this opportunity to your advantage.
Don’t sit back and listen to the attorney speak about themselves the whole time. Come prepared with questions. This is your chance to see if they’re a good fit.
Ask them about their experience:
How long have you been practicing family law? How many of your cases are divorces? Have you handled cases like mine before? What percentage of your cases go to trial vs. get settled?
Ask about their approach:
What’s your strategy for my case? How do you typically communicate with clients? Who will be working on my case? Will I be working directly with you or mostly paralegals and associates?
Ask about costs:
What’s your hourly rate? How much is the retainer? What other costs should I expect? Do you offer payment plans?
Ask anything you want. A good attorney will answer your questions honestly even if they don’t want to. If they promise the moon or guarantee specific results, RUN.
Pay attention to how you feel when talking with the attorney. Do they listen to your concerns? Explain things in a way you can understand or do they talk down to you? You’re going to be working with this person for months or even years. If you don’t like them right now, you won’t like them later.
Red Flags To Watch Out For
Certain things are big red flags you should watch out for when considering attorneys.
Here are some things that should make you think twice:
Guarantees specific results. No lawyer can guarantee you’ll get everything you want or even come close. If they are making guarantees they’re lying or have no experience.
Impossible to reach. If the potential attorney is impossible to reach during the hiring process, imagine how difficult it will be once they have your money.
Doesn’t specialize in family law. A criminal defense attorney or real estate lawyer who only handles “a few divorces a year” is not the best choice for you.
Bad-mouths other lawyers or judges. This is incredibly unprofessional and could hurt your case.
Their fees are far too low or high. Whether it’s charging $50 an hour or $500 an hour, if their fees are way below or above market you should be suspicious.
Pressures you to hire immediately. Good divorce attorneys don’t need to use high-pressure sales tactics. If they try to rush you, walk away.
Their online reviews are terrible. A one or two bad reviews is normal. But if most people are complaining about the same issues, take note.
Wrapping Things Up
Choosing the right divorce attorney is one of the most important decisions you will make during your divorce. The attorney you hire can literally change the outcome of your case.
Do your homework. Interview at least two or three different lawyers before making your decision. Ask the right questions. Trust your gut instinct whether someone is a good fit for you.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Figure out what type of divorce you’re facing first
- Look for an attorney who specializes in family law and has local experience
- Use free consultations to your advantage. Get information and determine fit.
- Watch out for red flags like guaranteed results, poor communication, or lack of specialization.
- Don’t just go with the cheapest or most expensive option
The right attorney will not only have the legal knowledge and expertise you need, but they will also make you feel heard, supported, and confident moving forward. Your divorce is hard enough, having the right lawyer on your side can make all the difference.