LegalReader.com  ·  Legal News, Analysis, & Commentary

Lawsuits & Litigation

7 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Divorce Lawyer


— March 24, 2020

Remember, the individual you pick is going to access some of the most private data in your life. He or she is going to know what you did not do right to make the marriage work. The lawyer is also going to know the cause of the divorce as well as what is at stake.


Walking out of a marriage is one of the most emotional and challenging things to do, regardless of the reasons. That is why you need a lawyer who is going to handle the matter amicably. Remember, the individual you pick is going to access some of the most private data in your life. He or she is going to know what you did not do right to make the marriage work. The lawyer is also going to know the cause of the divorce as well as what is at stake. They are also going to gain full access to your account details in case there was a prenup agreement. That means you need someone who knows how to get the job done. Below are some of the things to consider before hiring a divorce lawyer.

The credentials of the lawyer

The world of law can be very sneaky and tricky. That is because the lawyer on the other side will go to a great extent to ensure that you don’t end up with what you deserve. Something that most people tend to forget when hiring divorce lawyers is checking their credentials. You may forget, but the other lawyer won’t. The lawyer you employ must have taken his or her law school admissions test, and passed the bar examination test, and carry a law degree, among others. So make sure that you have a look at these credentials to avoid any awkward scenarios.

Years of experience

There is a very thick line between a lawyer’s credentials and his expertise. An experienced lawyer has probably handled a case like yours before. That means he knows how to proceed and may also understand some of the strings to pull to get you the best deal. So you must find out how many years of experience the lawyer has. That is one of the most important things to consider before hiring a divorce lawyer. Try as much as possible to look for a lawyer who has more than three years of experience. Someone who understands the law perfectly well.

Graphic of man and woman sitting in different rooms, separated by a wall; graphic by Mohamed Hassan, via Pixabay.com.
Graphic of man and woman sitting in different rooms, separated by a wall; graphic by Mohamed Hassan, via Pixabay.com.

Client reviews

Modern society is making it easy for anyone to track the performance of any individual. That includes divorce attorneys. So for you to have confidence that you have the right attorney, take a look at clients’ reviews. If you find that a considerable number of clients found his or her services appealing, then you can go ahead and consider hiring him. Client reviews or testimonials can give a complete idea of a divorce lawyer. You also get to know if he is the right person for the job. The reviews are usually honest and straight to the point.

The cost

There is no way you can hire an attorney whom you can’t afford. That is why before you even set up an interview, take a look at their fees. If you can afford him or her, then proceed with the meeting. In case you can’t afford the fee, go ahead and look for another divorce lawyer who is within your budget. Remember, some lawyers only charge hefty prices due to the reputation of the firm they come from and not the services they deliver. So, compare his rating with his price then figure out the next step.

The availability of the lawyer

Handling such a family dispute can be quite hard at times. That means you need a lawyer who dedicates his time to the task at hand. He or she should be available when needed and should answer calls whenever you want to enquire. It is quite stressful to have an impromptu meeting and unable to reach your divorce lawyer. Such a situation is going to leave you exposed, and your spouse’s attorney can decide to manipulate you in the process. So availability of the divorce lawyer is essential.

Should be trustworthy

The most important trait any divorce lawyer should possess is the ability to keep everything private. For the lawyer to do so, he or she should be trustworthy. The last thing you want is for the divorce lawyer to start discussing your private life with strangers. Given that you are going to share some of the most intimate secrets about your marriage, make sure you prioritize this tip. It is among the most basic yet essential considerations when choosing a divorce lawyer. You can note such a trait from his or her past client’s testimonials.

The lawyer’s resources

Divorce cases involve various things that will require your lawyer to have unlimited funds for him or her to emerge victoriously. Remember, you are likely to face tax issues during the process. So with his resources, it becomes easy to handle specific problems without spending too much cash and time. So considering the types of support the lawyer is bringing to the table is a paramount consideration when making a choice.

From the information above, it is clear that not just any divorce lawyer can handle your divorce case. It is also apparent that you need to be very keen on whom you are hiring to avoid making rookie mistakes. Making sure that you consider each point above will see to it that you get yourself the best divorce lawyer for your case. With such a lawyer, your chances of winning the case will maximize drastically.

Join the conversation!