Hiring a divorce attorney requires careful consideration of their expertise and experience. A divorce or family lawyer should understand and represent your specific needs and interests.
I firmly believe that not every divorce and family law attorney is the right fit for every individual. This is why hiring a family lawyer is so important. Several factors can influence whether a lawyer is suitable for a client, including the attorney’s gender. For example, some clients feel more comfortable with an attorney of the same gender. In my experience representing both men and women, I’ve had clients who initially sought out a same-gender lawyer. After meeting with me, some decided to hire me, while I was happy to refer others to different attorneys who might better meet their needs.
Credentials
When selecting a Divorce or Family Lawyer in Texas, the most important thing to ensure is that they hold a license to practice in the State where your case is ongoing.
I sometimes get clients with cases in another state other than Texas. Unfortunately, depending on the circumstances, I cannot help them and need to refer them to an attorney licensed to practice in that State. Other times, I can help them because we can open a case in Texas and move forward.
When hiring a divorce lawyer, it is likewise important to select one who focuses their practice on Divorce and Family Law. I sometimes run into attorneys who try and do all areas of the law. This is a disservice to their clients because, oftentimes, they do not know what they are talking about. Arguments arise because they ask for things they could never get in court or the law does not provide for.
This means both parties end up paying more in attorney’s fees, arguing over things they should not be arguing in the first place, which an experienced family law or divorce attorney could have prevented.
Location
Location is another thing to consider when hiring a divorce or family law lawyer. My office is in North Houston in the Spring, Texas, about halfway between Conroe, Texas, and Houston, Texas. As a result, nearly half of my family law and divorce cases are either in Montgomery County or Harris County.
I do practice in other counties in Texas and have taken cases in locations such as Waco, TX, and Dallas, TX. However, before taking those cases, I suggested it might be more cost-effective for those potential clients to consider hiring a divorce lawyer whose office was more local. The reason is they would have the added expense of paying for my travel time to those locations whenever there was a hearing. The hourly rate of $350 can make it prohibitively expensive for some clients.
Communication and Promptness
Many attorneys struggle with communicating in a prompt manner with clients. Family law and divorce lawyers, due to the nature of their practice, are out of the office more than many other types of lawyers. Divorce and Family Law Lawyers are often in Court or in Mediation. They are seldom in the office to answer calls and it can be difficult to respond to emails as well.
This can be especially difficult for attorneys who do not have a support staff to help them. One of the ways I try and help by being responsive to my clients is by employing a support staff and having three paralegals and an associate attorney to help me.
A good question to ask prospective divorce and family law lawyers is how you will be able to contact them and how long it will take them to return your call.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right divorce attorney is a crucial decision that can greatly impact the outcome of your divorce proceedings. Hiring a family lawyer who is knowledgeable, experienced, and empathetic to your unique circumstances is essential for navigating this challenging time. Take the time to evaluate potential attorneys to ensure they align with your needs and values. With the right legal representation, you can approach your divorce with confidence, knowing you have a strong advocate by your side.
Ebook
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