Getting a divorce is an emotional and stressful time. It can be even more complex when children are involved, as custody issues and property distribution can become contested. Having an experienced Divorce Lawyer in St. Louis on your side can help ease the process and ensure your rights are protected. The challenge is finding the best fit for you and your situation. There are many factors to consider when choosing a lawyer, from expertise and approach to personality and cost.
Ask for referrals from people you trust. This might include friends, family members or other professionals such as doctors or financial advisors who have worked with divorce attorneys in the past. If you don’t have any personal connections, you can search online for recommendations or visit family law associations in your area to get lists of family law attorneys.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, schedule meetings with the attorney candidates. Ideally, you should meet with three to five divorce lawyers. This will give you a better chance of hearing a variety of perspectives and making an informed decision. Be sure to bring a list of your assets, debts and sources of income to each meeting. It’s also important to be honest about your goals, so the attorney can provide a realistic assessment of what to expect.
Before hiring a divorce lawyer, it’s important to understand what they do (and don’t do). Remember that even the most skilled and knowledgeable attorneys aren’t therapists or life coaches. They’re legal professionals who specialize in guiding clients through the legal proceedings of a divorce. They may be able to ease some of the anxiety and frustration associated with a divorce, but they can’t make your emotions go away.
During the interview, ask the divorce lawyer to tell you both the good and the bad about your case. If they only tell you what you want to hear, it might be a sign that they don’t have your best interests at heart. In addition, a good divorce attorney should be able to provide an overview of the legal process and a breakdown of the estimated costs for your particular situation.
Finally, consider the hourly rate for each potential divorce attorney. Generally speaking, lower rates are indicative of less experience, while higher rates can indicate a more seasoned lawyer with more knowledge of the laws in your state. If you have a very straightforward divorce, it might be wise to choose an attorney with a lower hourly rate to save money in the long run. However, if you believe your case will be complicated or if there are significant assets to contend with, it might be worth paying for an attorney who offers more experience. On the other hand, if you are facing a divorce involving spousal abuse or other serious issues, you might need to hire an attorney who offers more aggressive legal representation. This can be particularly helpful if your spouse has an attorney of their own.