How did you pick a divorce attny?

Kat174 · February 2012

I'm at the stage I am now ready to start my divorce. I have had one recommendation, but don't know how to find others. Not a lot of people I know have been divorced. I hate the thought of throwing a dart at the yellow pages.

Any advice?

JellymanKelly · February 2012

The first one I had, I asked around about who was the most badass divorce atty in town. I met with her and she scared the crap out of me and was too expensive. Plus, STBXH wasn't fighting anything I was requesting, so I didn't think I needed such a cutthroat attorney. The one I ultimately ended up going with, I asked a friend who works for another attorney's office (they don't do family) and she asked her boss who he would use. He gave me 2 names. My family had previous dealings with one of them in a real estate dispute years ago, so I chose the other one. He's good, I like him, and I can afford him. STBX and I agree on the financial details, and there's no fighting about custody since he has chosen to move far away, so I didn't have to do too much research on choosing someone who would go for blood.

cemacmil · February 2012

I picked one by google/location, she seemed good at the free consultation - that should have been my first inclination that I could have done better. Though she wasn't awful, in the end I found out I could have done much better.

So now I have one (no the initial consultation was not free) who is better, knows more about what my rights are and how to fight if needed, and what specifically to do in certain situations. She is more expensive, however, from the get-go is a lot better and more in-tune with the process.

So what I am saying is shop around, even if things are "cut and dry" or "amicable" in your divorce - you haven't done this before, are not a lawyer, therefore don't know what all divorce entails. And you do get what you pay for!

mic2004 · February 2012

Although I haven't officially retained him yet, I found mine through a coworker. She highly recommended him and based on the free consulations (he gave me 2) I am impressed.

booklover75 · February 2012

I talked with people I know that had been divorced and asked what their recommendations were. Then I went and did a free consultations with them and who ever was willing to work for what I wanted, I retained.

MintChocoChip · February 2012

I got mine through a recommendation of a neighbor who had been divorced. I was confident in using a referral and not shopping around. Good luck.

Nineoceans · February 2012

We used a referral for our custody case, an attorney at my work suggested another attorney who suggEsted the one we finally settled on. It helps to have a personal referral because they don't want you to go back to your friend and say she was terrible etc. It feels like they're more invested

CarrotsMakeMeFat · February 2012

my lawyer was the kick ass guy in town ...don't judge based on the free consultation. You probably shouldn't have picked a random off Google. just saying.

I got my rec from a nestie he did charge me for the consultation when I got my final bill. That is not uncommon. It was free up front

How did you pick a divorce attny?

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