How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

Choose the “right” divorce professionals for your toolbox. Use your toolbox appropriately.

Step Three in Well-Meaning Advice

Divorce is a process. Like any process, it has a beginning, a middle, an end, and life after that. Working with an experienced divorce professional makes all the difference in receiving guidance through the process. Research your professional divorce mediator, collaborative attorney, or litigation attorney before you meet them in person.

Thanks are to the “online” Gods for this one. Do not go on referrals alone. Do your research. Read the Google reviews, the website reviews, the AVVO reviews. Read it all. Then select 2-3 professionals and meet with them face to face.

  1. Do not use a mediator who does not practice full time or who does mediations in the evening and full-time therapy during the day.
  2. Do not use a divorce attorney who does one divorce per month and mostly real-estate or wills.
  3. Do not use a therapist who never worked with a situation” just like yours” before.
  4. Chose a professional who has dedicated their entire career or practice to what your specific need may be.

You will be working with each of the professionals you choose for a long period; review their individual experience, skills, specialties, accessibility, and “bedside manners.” The most expensive is not necessarily the best. Similarly, no need for the “big guns” if your spouse and or your situation is reasonable.

Ask for an estimate or a range of “normal” charges are to take a case from beginning to end. Ask about the “hidden cost” of divorce. For mediation clients, the “hidden cost” can sometimes be higher than the mediation fees. Above all, hire the professional with which you feel the most comfortable.

Place the right tool in your tool-box and use it strategically.

You will be happy you did. Cost savings will result if you discuss your problems with the professional most suited to respond to the specific problem or issue. Discuss with the therapist the emotional issues of divorce, if you have parenting issues that need to be resolved, discuss them with a parenting mediator coordinator or coach.

There is a niche in our divorce profession as a “parenting coordinator.” Discuss the legal and financial issues with your attorney or attorney/mediator. Real estate transactions and considerations should go to a good realtor, not a loan officer. Loan officers sell mortgages; real-estate professionals help you consider selling or buying your home. Tax-related matters always go to the Accountant. An experienced divorce attorney, divorce mediator, or collaborative attorney will always help you place the right tools in your tool-box. You will know when someone is trying to “oversell” you on services or if they are not qualified to provide them.

Read all five steps

Step One: Well-Meaning Pieces of “Divorce Advice” that will save you time, heartache, and money

Step Two: Prepare all financial records and be organized for the entire divorce process

You are here – Step Three: Choose the “right” divorce professionals for your toolbox. Use your toolbox appropriately.

Step Four: Think long-term and think strategically; create a marriage dissolution plan.

Step Five: Take great care of yourself, now more than ever. Manage your emotions, manage your health.


Learn More

To learn more about how divorce mediation can help your case, contact any of our Divorce Attorney Mediators or Certified Divorce Financial Analysts at CT Divorce Mediation Centers. Divorce and Family Mediation and Collaborative Law are all we do. We have offices in Madison, New Haven, Cheshire, West Hartford, Glastonbury, West Hartford, and Windsor, CT. To find out more information or to schedule a consultation with our divorce experts, call us at (860) 986-1141.

DISCLAIMER:This publication is not meant to constitute legal, accounting, financial, investment advisory, or other professional advice. If legal, financial, investment advisory or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person such as CT Divorce Mediation center, should be sought.