A central figure in your divorce proceedings, the lawyer will follow your case from the beginning to the conclusion of your case. Choosing the "right lawyer" from the list of lawyers in USA is not an easy task.
1. Get a lawyer specializing in family law who is familiar with divorce and matrimonial regimes.
Hélène: “My lawyer was an acquaintance, he accepted the case because he was a friend of my brother's and I think that should be avoided. He did not specialize in divorce and that is wrong. He botched the file. I couldn't reach him and I couldn't scream. My divorce was done amicably, he had given me a fixed price of 1524 dollars but in reality, I paid 762 dollars more ”.
2. During the first interview, the lawyer must know how to listen to you and above all understand your situation. Then he must advise you on the procedure and the strategy to adopt. Do not lose sight of the fact that your lawyer is an adviser and that as such, he must put all the means in place to ensure the success of your action.
3. Do not forget that you are not necessarily a lawyer, the lawyer must use simple and understandable language towards you, this is already the first pledge of empathy.
4. Lawyers' fees are free: flat rate or hourly payment. Opt instead for the package, this will prevent you from having surprises if the situation is long and painful. Negotiate the fixed price before the start of the procedure and have a fee agreement signed which will serve as your contractual basis.
Julie (30 years old): October 2009 start of the procedure; Nov 2012 still not divorced. I am on my 3rd lawyer! “1st lawyer: my sister recommended her to me, she was very fine, nice, but very expensive and unreachable, she worked at an hourly rate (198 euros dollars hour). My divorce was complex and long. Result of the races 30 489 dollars in fees (my case far from being settled). 2nd lawyer: recommended by an office colleague, supposedly very professional and good negotiator. In reality mundane, unreachable, very dry, not holding the road on the legal level, a very unpleasant contact and very convoluted pleadings. Price: 6,098 dollars. 3rd lawyer: good contact, fixed-rate negotiated before having entrusted the case to her, does not promise the moon, intuitive, with a realistic speech and, of course, available over the phone. 180 ° turn, change of strategy, fighting over the personality of my ex. Normally, my divorce should have cost me 7,622 dollars, I am at 42,685 dollars. I had to borrow to pay the bills ”.
5. Fundamental: your lawyer must be available. If you never manage to reach him, and he does not call you back within 48 hours, do not hesitate to change it. A lawyer is not a shrink, don't bother him with trivial things, he has other business going on. On the other hand, he must inform you regularly of the progress of the file.
6. Don't get caught up in a procedure you haven't chosen. Some lawyers have a distinct tendency to want to escalate the situation rather than seek compromise. You must be in control of the decision to be made. Master Robert: “I defended a famous tennis player during his divorce. The spouses had chosen a divorce by mutual consent and had kept very good relations between them. The opposing party's lawyer made the situation so bad that the proceedings lasted for years ”.
7. Avoid taking a friend as a lawyer, don't mix genres. We know what happens to friendship when we lose a business. Sometimes friends are too involved in your affairs and no longer have enough perspective to ensure your defense calmly. If you don't know any lawyer recommend you to use lawyers directory, not friends. Mathew: “At the beginning of my career, I defended a friend during her divorce, it was a difficult procedure. Result: loss of the residence of his children. I had a hard time getting over it and I didn't deal with divorce cases for 10 years ”.