How to Choose a Tennessee Divorce Attorney
Choosing a Memphis divorce attorney can be a confusing experience. With so much at stake, you don’t want to make the wrong choice. No matter how you go about hiring an attorney, there are some helpful tips that can guide you in making the right selection for your divorce case.
Tips for Choosing a Divorce Attorney
The first tip for hiring a divorce attorney is to know who you are hiring. Does this attorney specialize in divorce? You should avoid any attorney who has little experience with family law.
You should also consider whether the attorney can speak your language. In other words, does he or she avoid legalese terms and statements so that you clearly understand what is happening with your case?
Feeling comfortable working with him or her is integral to your Memphis divorce attorney-client relationship. Do you feel the attorney can be trusted?
The second tip is to learn more about the attorney’s skills and experience. Negotiations are an integral part of any divorce; your attorney should work well with others and be good at problem solving. At the same time, he or she should keep in mind your personal wishes.
You should choose an attorney who has experience in court. There is always the chance that your situation can’t be worked out, and you may face a divorce trial. How much time has the attorney spent in a courtroom?
Ask the attorney if he or she is familiar with the family law judges in your jurisdiction. This can help in building a good strategy if the attorney knows what to expect.
The third tip in choosing a divorce attorney is to consider his or her ability to relate to you. If you have young children, and their custody is at stake, you want to know that the attorney will look out for their best interests as he or she works with you.
Your attorney should be willing to support your feelings and wishes. If your goal is to keep things amicable, the attorney should take whatever steps are necessary to make this happen.
Finally, choose an attorney who is affordable, but don’t let price replace quality. An inexpensive but inexperienced attorney may not be the best choice, unless you are in a dire financial situation where you can’t be very picky.
Even then, you still can look for an attorney who has a good reputation. However, if cost isn’t an issue, then you will definitely want to look for someone who has the most experience in family law.
Discuss upfront with your attorney what legal costs you can expect. No one likes surprises when it comes to billing; find out if the attorney charges a flat fee or on an hourly basis.
Of course, it is impossible to know how things will go, so there may be additional expenses that arise. If you can get a general idea of how much you will have to pay, it will help.
For more information, see How to Choose the Right Tennessee Family Lawyer for Your Divorce.
Seeking Help from a Memphis Divorce Attorney
One of the most stressful and overwhelming things to go through in life is a divorce. With difficult choices to make, and sometimes feeling like you have lost control, you will want to know that the attorney you have hired is the right one.
To learn more about your legal rights, contact an attorney at the Miles Mason Family Law Group, PLC. Our law firm serves residents in Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, along with areas in Eastern Arkansas and West Tennessee.
To help prepare for your case, you should download our free eBook, Your First Steps: 7 Steps Planning Your Tennessee Divorce. Call us today at 901-683-1850.