Legal dissolution or divorce of a marriage is a complex situation: you need a confident attorney to represent your interests. Choosing the right attorney will make the process go much smoother for you, and your family. Here are some things to consider when choosing an attorney to represent you.
Interview more than one attorney.
You should feel confident in the attorney-client relationship. Intimate details of your marriage may come up in the divorce. You need to be comfortable sharing these details with your attorney. If the interview does not go well or you feel for any reason that the attorney is not the right choice you: just send them an email, and continue your search. This is a business for them, and they do not want to take on a client who is not confident in them from the start.
Budget.
When you interview a prospective attorney, you need to discuss the budget for the divorce. Be realistic about your finances and completely honest with the attorney. The more they understand about your situation, the better they can assist you.
Location.
Location of the attorney’s office. This is essential. Consider your travel time when adjusting your schedule. Balancing work, children, the divorce, and your other obligations may become very frustrating if your attorney’s office is a considerable distance away. The attorney will appreciate you being on time to appointments.
Credentials and experience.
Most attorneys proudly display their diplomas on their walls and will gladly discuss their credentials. If the attorney seems reluctant to answer these questions: consider it a red flag. Ask the attorney about their experience with your type of case. Consider child custody, spousal support, marital property, and other details that your case unique.
Be prepared.
Gather as much information as you can for the attorney. Gather birth certificates, adoption records, and medical insurance records for children of the marriage. Gather all banking and other financial records. Be sure to include income tax returns, mortgage, and car payment records. Having these records in your possession: will save the attorney time in information gathering.
Consider bankruptcy before the divorce.
Discuss bankruptcy with your attorney prior to filing for divorce. Filing for chapter 7 bankruptcy before the divorce may be advantageous, and make the property division in the divorce easier. Individual and joint bankruptcy filing fees are the same in some states. A chapter 7 bankruptcy is a liquidation bankruptcy: It will discharge your unsecured debts such as credit card debt, and medical bills. However, when considering a chapter 7 bankruptcy before the divorce, you need an attorney who understands divorce and bankruptcy to advise you about property division and the allowable property exemptions in your state. If you and your spouse bother earn and income: your attorney can advise you on how to proceed if your joint income exceeds the chapter 7 bankruptcy income limits.
If you have questions about legal issues related to divorce, bankruptcy or debt: please contact us. Our experienced attorneys work hard to obtain the best outcome for our clients.