How Do I Select a Divorce Lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee?

Whether you and your spouse have minor children or not, you need to be selective in hiring a Memphis, Tennessee, divorce lawyer to represent you. The problem is not so much that good family attorneys are few and far between, but that you need to have confidence in the representation. “Any ole’ attorney” simply will not do, in fact it could result in very unpleasant and expensive consequences. So put some time and thought into your search for the right attorney, someone with extensive knowledge and experience in Tennessee family law.

How do you select a divorce lawyer in Memphis, Tennessee?

Divorce Is a Big Deal

Divorce is a very big deal. Careful consideration should go into any hiring decision. It isn’t just about how much the attorney will charge for services (although that is certainly an important factor). After all, the representation can continue for several months to more than a year (for some, several years) depending upon how the divorce proceeds and how capable the parties are of settling issues cooperatively.

There will be many family matters to resolve. What are the legal grounds for this divorce? Will child custody be contested? Who should be the primary residential parent? How will child support be calculated? Will the division of property be disputed? Who will stay in the marital home (or will it be sold)? Has a spouse attempted to conceal assets from the other? Will alimony be sought and, if so, what type, how much, and for how long?

Where Should You Start Looking?

Go to our website, read and bookmark How To Choose the Right Tennessee Family Lawyer for Your Divorce. When comparing attorney websites, use our web page as a family law practice guide with instructions on what you should look for. You are not the first person to go through this. Follow the steps that have worked well for so many other people who were similarly situated.

3 Tips for Choosing a Divorce Lawyer

You can always begin your search for a divorce lawyer by visiting the American Bar Association’s (ABA) public resources page. From there, you can locate ABA member attorneys who practice family law in Tennessee and elsewhere in the U.S.

Additionally, here are three tips to make your quest a little easier:

1. Get Several Referrals:

Start by asking around for attorney referrals. Talk to family members and friends who have participated in family law proceedings and have first-hand experience. Ask your pastor, counselor, and any non-divorce lawyers in your circle if they can make a recommendation. You want a reputable divorce lawyer, not just any lawyer.

2. Reach Out to the Memphis Bar Association: 

For a list of family law practitioners in the area, visit the Memphis Bar Association’s (MBA) website. Searching by attorney last name, law firm, area of practice, or zip code is quite easy. If you have a few referrals, you can obtain additional statistical and contact information from the MBA. Thereafter, investigate the divorce attorney’s credentials, experience, and reputation in the legal community.

3. Consider Attorney-Client Compatibility:

Every divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging for both spouses. (Discussing someone else’s broken marriage may be far easier than talking about your own.) Therefore, it is essential that the divorce attorney you hire is someone caring and trustworthy. A person with whom you can discuss any number of distressing personal issues. You may never feel absolutely comfortable talking to anyone about what led to the divorce, but you must develop a rapport with your lawyer so he can properly represent you in court. If you do not “connect” on an intellectual level, are unable to fully communicate your circumstances and what you consider to be a desirable outcome, then keep searching for the right lawyer.

Lastly, with your referral list in hand, visit the law firm’s website for client testimonials and to learn more about the legal team that could be handling your divorce. Be aware that some “client reviews” may actually be planted by the lawyers themselves. Always do your homework: check credentials, compare peer reviews, and sift through attorney ratings on Avvo.com and Martindale.com.

Meet Our Team at the Miles Mason Family Law Group

Family lawyer Miles Mason is a member of the Memphis Bar Association. Selected by his peers, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Memphis Bar Foundation in October 2012. This honor is only extended to those attorneys who have been practicing law at least 10 years and are recognized for their ethical and professional practice.

Memphis divorce attorney, Miles Mason, Sr., practices family law exclusively and is founder of the Miles Mason Family Law Group, PLC. Check out The Tennessee Divorce Client’s Handbook: What Every Divorcing Spouse Needs to Know, available on Amazon and Kindle. To schedule your confidential consultation, call us today at (901) 683-1850.