Once you've asked for (or been asked for) a
divorce, your life feels very unsettled. Even if you want a divorce, whatever
your reasons, it signifies the end of an important life milestone, a marriage.
There will be a period of mourning in which you try to come to terms with
and reconcile your feelings. In the midst of all this turmoil, you also
have the job of trying to find not only a good lawyer, but a
divorce lawyer, someone who's got experience in that field. Picking the wrong lawyer
to handle your divorce can have devastating and lasting effects on your future.
That said, there are a few caveats about how to go about your search. Don't
rely solely on advertisements or word of mouth. Somebody who did a great
job for a friend, may not be the "perfect" choice for you. Every
case is individual and unique.
First, find a lawyer who specializes in divorce. There will usually be
one in a family law practice. A lawyer who specializes in divorce will
have more extensive knowledge and experience than a lawyer who just takes
an occasional divorce case. It's perfectly acceptable to ask a lawyer
what his or her actual experience is. Your divorce lawyer should have
several years experience in handling divorce cases and specifically in
your state. (Lawyers move, like anyone else.) A new divorce lawyer in
a firm might have lots of experience in the state he just left, but not
be "up to speed" in his new state.
Secondly, make sure your potential lawyer has extensive courtroom experience.
(Don't just assume that all lawyers have it.) A lawyer with years
of courtroom experience will understand the complexities of the system
and may even know how best to best deal with certain judges in the court.
Additionally, she's more apt to know when it's in your best interest
not to go to court because you're likely to fail. This can save you
unnecessary time and conflict. A good divorce lawyer should be flexible,
in other words, and able to succeed for you both in and out of the courtroom.
Thirdly, make sure your potential divorce lawyer has experience with the
intricacies of your case, such as extensive assets, children and custody, etc.
Finally, make sure you like him as a person, and that you agree with his
philosophy and ideas on how best to handle your case. You don't want
to constantly be at odds with him, making the entire process more difficult
than it already is. And importantly, a lawyer who's easy to get along
with will also be likely to communicate well with others involved in your
case, from secretaries to court judges.
If you're in the process of searching for a good divorce lawyer in
the Worcester area,
contact us for a consultation. We're committed to always protecting your best
interests in and out of the courtroom, and will do so with empathy and
discretion.