Once you make the difficult decision to end your marriage, you’ll need to determine whether or not you want to hire a divorce lawyer to represent you. Hiring legal representation is one of the best ways to streamline the divorce process and ensure the best possible outcome for your case. However, finding the right lawyer for your needs can seem like a daunting task during such an emotional time.
The Law Office of Jeffrey W. Hannah is here to provide you with experienced and compassionate representation when you need it most, and Attorney Jeffrey W. Hannah is happy to answer any questions that you have about the California divorce process. In today’s post, we’ll offer some tips that can help you find an experienced, qualified divorce lawyer. Continue reading to learn more.
FINDING THE RIGHT DIVORCE LAWYER
Understand Your Needs
The first and most important step in searching for a divorce lawyer is to understand your needs. Not all divorce lawyers are created equal and some may be better suited to handle your case than others. For example, if you and your spouse own a business together or have other types of complex joint assets, it is wise to look for a lawyer who has experience with dividing assets. If child custody and spousal support are your primary concern, you want to find a lawyer who not only understands this, but one who is also well-versed in California case law pertinent to these matters.
Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations
If you have never needed the assistance of a divorce lawyer, it can be difficult to know where to begin your search for one. It may be helpful to ask divorced friends, family members, or coworkers who represented them during their divorce proceedings and whether or not they were satisfied with the legal services the lawyer provided. Keep in mind that no two divorce cases are the same and that the outcome on one person’s divorce case is no indicator of future outcomes, good or bad. However, you can get a sense of a lawyer’s communication methods, reliability, and other characteristics based on how they have interacted with previous clients.
Narrow Down the Field
Once you have received a few recommendations from others, you will want to narrow down the field of possible lawyers to work with. This can be done by performing your own research on the lawyers and their law firms. Online reviews are always a good place to start, as they offer unbiased feedback from previous clients that can speak to a lawyer’s trustworthiness, experience, and credibility. You can also perform a search on The State Bar of California website to view a prospective lawyer’s license status as well as any disciplinary actions taken against them.
Request Consultations
Getting recommendations from others and performing your own research on various lawyers can help you determine which ones you want to request consultations with. Once you have your list narrowed down to three or four reputable attorneys, call their office to schedule an appointment with them. You can think of your consultation as an interview of sorts in which both you and the lawyer have the opportunity to get to know each other better. In-person consultations allow you to meet the lawyer and their support staff, allowing you to discuss the specifics of your case and get a feel for how they treat their clients.
Ask the Right Questions
During your consultation, you want to make sure to ask the prospective lawyers the right questions to determine if they are the best fit for your needs. For example, you can learn a lot about a divorce lawyer by asking them about their experience and the types of clients they typically represent. The consultation is also an excellent time to ask about their fee structure so that you can determine whether or not the legal services they provide are within your budget.
It is also helpful to ask about their track record and their litigation style. Even if you don’t anticipate that your divorce will go to trial, it never hurts to know that your lawyer is experienced in divorce ligation just in case your proceedings head down that path. Asking the right questions up front can help ensure you find a lawyer who is the best fit for your needs and your budget.
NEED A DIVORCE LAWYER IN SACRAMENTO?
Are you thinking about filing for divorce in Sacramento or the surrounding area? Maybe you have already filed and have decided that you don’t want to navigate the divorce process alone? No matter your circumstances, the Law Office of Jeffrey W. Hannah is here to help you. Attorney Jeffrey W. Hannah is happy to schedule a meeting with you so that he can learn more about your case and explain how his legal services can help you. Contact us today to request a consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer.
