How to Choose a Divorce Attorney?

by Kevin Smith Author

Divorce rarely has willing or prepared participants. The fact is few ever have a plan for divorce, mainly because very few people think they will get divorced. When or if that sad event happens, though, getting the best family divorce lawyer in San Antonio, Texas is critical; here is what you should look for.

Have Realistic Goals

The purpose of divorce is to divide assets and resolve custody issues. The attorney you hire has a goal of representing you to the best of their ability and getting you the most favorable outcome possible. With that in mind, you need to keep your expectations in check and realize that the attorney is not your therapist. As much as you want to blow off steam, your attorney is charging you a lot of money in order to reach their specific goal. Your goal is to help them do that, not get a bunch off your chest.

Keep Your Goals in Mind

The objective of your divorce is to get divorced without any major depreciation in your lifestyle. That means you have to keep in mind that a divorce is essentially a negotiation and that means some compromise. Be willing to let some things go if it means you get your ultimate goal.

Shop Around

It will be tempting just to alleviate some of the stress, but do not go with the first divorce attorney you meet. Meet with at least three and try and decide which one can best get you to your goal. Pay attention to how they communicate and their demeanor in those initial meetings as those characteristics could play a major role in the disposition of your case. If the attorney you are meeting really rubs you the wrong way, or visa versa, you probably do not want them representing you in court. Make sure you check out their legal background as well as their history of litigation. Compare pricing. After all that, decide based on who meets all of your “check boxes” in relationship to you coming out on top in the divorce process.

Watch for Warning Signs

Not all divorce attorney’s are created equal. Some simply stink as attorneys. If the attorney you met with makes obviously or likely unrealistic promises, move on. Likewise, if they discuss other cases at length in front of you. If they are constantly being interrupted in your initial meeting, realize that you likely are not and will not be a priority. If they cannot deliver bad news to you, your case might suffer. Research their case history and look for ethics issues. If you find any, move on.

Choosing the best family divorce lawyer in San Antonio, Texas takes a bit of research and your ability to analyze options and select the best choice. If you follow this advice as a guideline, that process will be much easier.