Choosing a Divorce Attorney

There are issues to be resolved in your family life—issues that involve your most important relationships and that have a tremendous impact on both your happiness and your financial well-being. What you need to decide now is whether these issues call for the assistance of an attorney—and if so, where to turn for that legal advice.

Some people who find themselves thinking about engaging the services of a family law firm might actually be able to work out their problems on their own. There is little reason for a lawyer to become involved where both spouses are committed to working their way through a rough patch in their marriage and moving forward together. There are other instances, however, when a relationship may have frayed past the breaking point, or when specific legal steps are called for to secure a spouse's rights. When the bonds of trust and affection that underlie a healthy marriage can no longer be counted upon to ensure that partners will treat each other fairly and considerately, a good law firm’s services may be essential.

But what makes a “good” law firm? A good law firm is not necessarily one that is eager to lock the opposing party in a legal stranglehold. Montgomery Family Law believes that at the most basic level, a lawyer should prioritize achieving a fair resolution over confrontation in protecting its clients' interests in the most efficient manner possible. That may well mean a strategy aimed at a negotiated settlement, rather than at carrying the matter to trial. Settling disputes through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration can typically save clients unnecessary time and expense. We aim to resolve problems in the most cost-efficient fashion, and a courtroom confrontation is something we normally choose to undertake only when necessary.

We believe that this approach is particularly well-suited to coping with the stressful personal situations that can arise in the course of marriage and child-rearing. As laden as those situations are with powerful emotions, they can lead people into attorneys' offices when they are vulnerable to impulse, driven by anger, indignation, sorrow, or fear. Our firm has the experience, perspective, and high professional standards to recognize these situations and guide clients toward a steadier course—one in which emotion is not the compelling factor.

At the same time, our experience enables us to discern those other instances when a client must avail himself or herself of the law's full protections. When there is no acceptable alternative, we have the expertise to secure favorable outcomes in an adversarial setting. We know how to fight when, regrettably, there is no choice.

Once you decide you need a family law attorney, take these steps and ask these key questions to ensure you make the right choice:

Finding a Family Lawyer

1. Contact your county or state bar association to get a referral list.
2. Ask family and friends for recommendations.
3. Use directories like Lawyers.com and FindLaw.com, which include attorney bios and client reviews.

Choosing a Family Lawyer

1. Ask for a consultation.
2. Find out the fee structure.
3. Is the attorney familiar with divorce and family law in your state?
4. How experienced is the attorney with your particular situation? For example, if court will be involved, do they have courtroom experience?
5. Will there be someone to contact after hours in case of emergencies?
6. Request references.

Overall, how comfortable were you with the experience of meeting your potential divorce lawyer? If it was not good, move on. You are going to be spending a lot of time with both your attorney and their team. Thus, finding the right fit is essential to making the process as comfortable as possible.