March 17 is fast approaching – the festive day when we all wish we were Irish. So put on your dancing shoes and your best green and celebrate. Look for a rainbow that leads to a pot of gold or even just a four-leaf clover. St. Paddy’s Day is all about shenanigans, fun and a little magic.
But while luck doesn’t hurt, when you start your search for a divorce lawyer it’s important to be deliberate about who you seek. Today we consider traits and qualifications that shed light on whether an attorney is a good fit for you as you go through the dissolution of your marriage. You shouldn’t leave your choice of lawyer to chance.
Starting the search
It is wise to interview several lawyers. You can identify potential divorce attorneys on the internet and by talking to friends and acquaintances who have retained divorce lawyers. If you have worked satisfactorily with a law firm in another context, your lawyer there may have recommendations for a divorce attorney.
Remember, the outcome of your divorce proceedings will impact the rest of your life – your children, assets, financial security, marital home, alimony, child support and more.
What to look for in a family lawyer
Important topics for your interviews with potential attorneys include:
- Experience: How long has the person practiced family law? Do they know their way around the courtroom?
- Range of practice: Is the lawyer’s practice 100% family law or are there other areas of practice?
- Florida connections: Is the attorney a Floridian who knows the local family courts and nuances of state laws impacting divorce?
- Special concerns: Is the person knowledgeable in complex or unique issues in your divorce? For example, are there international custody issues? Difficult valuation questions about rare or complicated assets? Are you concerned your spouse may be hiding or wasting money? Are you in a high-conflict marriage? How does the lawyer respond to difficult issues?
While objective factors are crucially important, there may be a wee bit of subjectivity to honor when you choose your divorce lawyer. If all the other boxes check, what does your gut say? You will want to have a sense of trust, comfort, confidence and connection with the person who will guide and fight for you through the dissolution of your marriage. Someone with whom you can be comfortable sharing private information even when it is difficult.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to our readers and clients. May the luck of the Irish be with you.
