What to Look For in a Divorce Attorney

 Posted on October 02, 2014 in Collaborative Divorce

When you are beginning the divorce process, everything can seem convoluted and confusing. It can be overwhelming to decide on one divorce attorney over another in the sea of seemingly thousands of attorneys who are eager to take your case. How can you know which attorney will help you reach the divorce settlement you are looking for rather than spending your time and money with little to show for it? There is a lot to consider when you're looking to hire a divorce attorney, so we put together a checklist to help you through this process.

What Are His or Her Credentials?

Credentials are key for a successful divorce attorney. Does the attorney you're considering hiring have a history of misconduct, unprofessional or unethical behavior, or a record of losing cases and unsatisfied clients? Word-of-mouth references can give you some insight to an attorney's career, but the best information is the information you will find through speaking with each candidate individually. Do not be afraid to ask a prospective attorney about his or her professional history. Can he or she explain any past difficulties and how he or she overcame them? Without becoming too personal about previous clients, ask your prospective attorney about his or her strengths and weaknesses when advocating for clients and how he or she plans to minimize those weaknesses.

Professionalism is Key

Your attorney is providing a service, and like with any other occupation, good customer service is key to building a good relationship with clients. Ask yourself, does your prospective attorney return your phone calls and emails in a timely manner? After a meeting with him or her, do you feel like you are a valued client, or do you feel like you are just a number? These things are important and indicate the level of dedication an attorney will give to your case.

What Does He or She Charge?

Never allow money to become a taboo subject with your attorney. Before you hire a divorce attorney, ask him or her up-front for his or her rate per hour and a rough estimate of the total cost of your divorce. The attorney you choose should be equally forthcoming about his or her costs and try to help you save as much money as possible without cutting corners or sacrificing any part of your strategy.

Call Our Firm to Discuss Your Divorce

The team of DuPage County divorce attorneys at Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. has proudly served DuPage County since 1995. Our firm has a strong history of successful cases and will give your case the attention and dedication to detail it deserves. Call us at 630-472-9700 to learn more about the services we offer and how we can effectively work through your divorce with you.