When we give a speech, we are generally speaking to an audience. An audience is made up of many different people. However, sometimes the message that we are trying to deliver is a very personal message. What this means is that although we may be addressing a large audience, what we are really doing is having a one-on-one discussion with every person in the audience. These are difficult speeches to create. We need to understand what is going through the minds of our audience and then we need to find ways to tap into that. Let’s take an example of talking to an audience about trying to find a divorce lawyer and see how it’s done.
It’s not like it used to be between you and your spouse. You remember when you were both crazy in love and could take on the world, but now things are different and you can’t see eye to eye anymore. Could it be time to move on?
Divorce is hard on everyone, but they are more common than you might think. In the United States, there were almost 800,000 divorces finalized in 2017 alone!
One thing you don’t think about when you are still in love is how to find a divorce lawyer. But, when the person who you used to be your best friend is the person you need to divorce, who do you turn to?
Take a deep breath and keep reading if you want to know the 5 steps to find and hire a divorce attorney when you decide that your marriage is not repairable.
1. Is Divorce the Answer?
The first thing you need to decide is whether divorce is the correct action to take. Divorce is expensive and complicated, so make sure that you want to go down that path.
Sometimes divorce is the best choice though. If you notice these signs in your relationship, you might need to consider a permanent split:
- One or both of you have done something unforgivable
- You start thinking with “I” and “me” instead of “we”
- One or both of you hide your true personalities
- One or both of you lash out to provoke each other
- You’ve stopped arguing about things that bother you
- Wondering if you should leave and how
- There abuse in the relationship
- You or your partner is holding the other back from reaching their potential
None of these signals are black and white, but as a whole, they can indicate that a divorce might be the best step.
2. Decide What Kind of Attorney You Are Looking For
Every divorce is different and no attorney is the best for every divorce. Before you start to look for a lawyer, decide which kind of lawyer you need.
If you and your spouse can go through the divorce without fighting and dividing property is not too complicated, you should consider a mediator instead of a lawyer. Once the mediator helps you two decide on terms, you can file for the divorce without hiring a lawyer.
Some lawyers specialize in certain types of divorce like those involving children,or high net worth. Certain attorneys will only represent the man while others only represent women.
3. How to Find a Divorce Lawyer near You
Once you know what kind of lawyer or representative you need, it’s time to research which lawyers are in your area.
First-hand reviews and word of mouth advertising can tell you a lot about working with a particular attorney. If you know anyone who has gone through a recent divorce, see if they can recommend someone.
If you don’t want to talk to anyone about your potential divorce, you can look for reviews online from people who have gone through what you are about to endure. Look for recent reviews and read as many as you can to get a good idea of how good each attorney is.
Be sure to visit each law firm’s website to research their business and their “success” rates. Some firms like this law firm will also have a convenient chat feature in case you have general questions about divorce or their firm.
Another way to narrow down your lawyer search is to check their Bar Association Records. Verify that the lawyer has a current license and see if they have a ton of formal complaints. If you don’t like what you see in their records, scratch that lawyer of the list.
4. Interviewing Prospective Attorneys
You narrowed the list down to a few potential attorneys, so now is the time to start doing interviews. Think of it like a job interview where you are the employer.
Call and make an appointment for a consultation with each lawyer still on your list and try to see at least 3 attorneys before you make your choice.
Be aware that some lawyers charge a consultation fee for the first consultation. If your budget is tight, look for lawyers who offer a free consultation.
Before your meeting, gather anything relevant to the divorce like a list of assets and debts. The more information the lawyer has about your case, the better they will be able to help you.
5. Make a Final Choice
After you have completed all your initial interviews, it’s time to make a final decision. Who do you want to hire to represent you during your divorce process?
During your final considerations, also look at how much each lawyer charges. If you can’t decide between two attorneys, pick the one that costs less!
Once you make your choice, call the lawyer you want to hire so they don’t take on another case in your place. Also, be sure to call the other attorneys you consulted with to let them know you are no longer interested.
Before the lawyer can work on your case, they will need you to come back in and fill out some paperwork. Make sure to do the follow-up appointment as soon as possible so they have the most time to work on your case that you can give them.
Divorce Is a Dirty Business, but Someone’s Gotta Do It
No one wants to know how to find a divorce lawyer… until the day you need one. Finding the right attorney for you and your situation can make the process run much smoother. There’s nothing worse than a bad lawyer botching an already complicated and gut-wrenching experience.