No one gets married expecting to get divorced, but divorces are quite common. If you and your spouse have come to the decision to end your marriage, the best thing that you can do is hire a good divorce attorney to represent you. While it is possible to get a divorce without legal representation, it is no recommended. Hiring a divorce attorney is a big decision-- you want to make sure that you hire the right attorney so your divorce can go as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, some people make errors when searching for a divorce attorney, which is not surprising since most people have little experience with divorce and may also be stressed out an emotional. Avoid the following mistakes when hiring a divorce lawyer to represent you:
Hiring the First Divorce Attorney You Meet With
Every divorce attorney is different and has their own skills and areas of expertise. If you know that you plan to get a divorce, it is never in your best interest to hire the first divorce attorney that you meet with. Almost all divorce attorneys offer free consultations for prospective clients, so it is a good idea to take advantage of them. Do your research and find several reputable and highly rated divorce attorneys in your area and have a consultation with each one; after doing so, you can make an informed hiring decision.
Showing Up to a Consultation Unprepared
After you schedule a consultation with a divorce attorney, make sure that you are prepared for the appointment. You should be ready to give basic facts about your marriage and any children you and your spouse may share. It is also a good idea to have financial information on hand, such as bank statements, investment account statements, and deeds to joint real estate. You should also be prepared to ask questions-- write questions down in advance of the consultation so you don't forget anything.
Hiring an Attorney That You Can't Afford
If you're going through a divorce, especially an acrimonious one, it is normal to want to hire the very best divorce attorney in your area. But, when hiring a divorce attorney, you need to carefully consider your personal finances and budget first. It doesn't make sense to hire a divorce attorney who has rates and fees that you can't afford to pay. If you do hire a divorce attorney that is too expensive, you will run out of money before your divorce is finalized.
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