How to Find a Good Divorce Attorney Near You

what to expect at a dmv hearing
Ask an Attorney: What to Expect at a DMV Hearing
June 20, 2022
do i need a lawyer for juvenile court
Do I Need a Lawyer for Juvenile Court in North Carolina
February 15, 2023
what to expect at a dmv hearing
Ask an Attorney: What to Expect at a DMV Hearing
June 20, 2022
do i need a lawyer for juvenile court
Do I Need a Lawyer for Juvenile Court in North Carolina
February 15, 2023
Show all
how to find a good divorce attorney

Key Takeaways:

    Hire an Experienced Domestic Law Attorney: It’s essential to choose a divorce attorney with specific experience in domestic law, particularly if child custody is involved.

    Realistic Expectations: Understand that no matter how skilled your attorney is, they cannot control the actions of your spouse or guarantee specific outcomes. It’s important to be prepared for negotiations and court proceedings.

    Local Attorney Advantage: Selecting a local divorce attorney can be beneficial due to their familiarity with local courts, judges, and administrative staff.

Unfortunately, even what appears to be the happiest of divorces can turn sour. When it comes time to discuss splitting up your assets, time with your children, child support, alimony, and other matters, you may find that you and your spouse cannot meet eye to eye. If this happens, you will need your own divorce attorney in Lenoir. You need someone who has the experience, knows the legal process regarding incidents of a divorce, can explain how to divide assets and how child custody works, and will advocate for you, both with your spouse and their attorney and before the judge.

You don’t want to take a chance on your future or that of your children, your property, or even your pet. If you are going through a divorce, or if divorce is on the horizon, you need to protect yourself by hiring a divorce attorney. But how to find a good divorce attorney? Here is what you need to know.

Look For An Attorney with Experience in Domestic Law

It sounds simple, but far too many individuals fall into the pitfall of not looking for the right attorney. You need one who focuses on divorce and domestic law. You can narrow that down even further if you are going through child custody battles. If this is what you are facing, you will need a child custody attorney Hickory NC

Divorce cases, including child custody, may be the most important legal matter of your entire life. It is critical for you to locate an attorney who will provide what you need. Picking the right divorce attorney will be vital to your success.

You (and Your Attorney) Don’t Control Your Spouse (or Their Attorney)

No matter how good your attorney is, they will be unable to dictate exactly what your former spouse will do. You won’t be able to go in and demand you take everything, receive everything you want, or are granted full custody of the children. While a divorce attorney will represent you and make sure you are fairly represented, they don’t have a magic wand to grant you everything that you want.

A good divorce lawyer will go over your case and discuss what do judges look for in a child custody case. They will also tell you what is likely to happen when you have discussions with your former spouse and their own attorney. If any lawyer promises to win no matter what you are seeking, you should look elsewhere. Because it is difficult, if not impossible, to perfectly forecast what you will receive, either in negotiations with your spouse or before a judge.

Find An Attorney In Your Area

It is usually a good idea to hire a divorce attorney near you and do a research on how to choose a lawyer. There will be times where meetings and other legal situations will arise at the last minute, including discussions with your former spouse’s attorney. It is easier to conduct these meetings with a local attorney, and it keeps your expenses down as well. Your attorney won’t have to travel far to court and won’t have to sit in court for hours (that you’re paying for) while awaiting the call of your case. A local attorney will know the judges, clerks, and administrative staff better than an out-of-district attorney. And you won’t have to drive across the state in order to consult with them.

Don’t Settle On The First Attorney You Talk To

There’s nothing wrong with liking the first domestic lawyer you speak with and eventually deciding to hire them as your attorney. However, you shouldn’t ONLY contact one law firm and ONLY talk with one lawyer. You need to set up consultations with multiple divorce attorneys. You can discuss your case with them and determine who is the best fit for you. Sometimes it is their credentials and what they have to say, other times it is simply who you are most comfortable with. 

Comfort is not something you can determine over the phone or through emails. You need to sit down, face to face, with your lawyer. While you don’t want to take forever hiring an attorney, you do have some time to work through the consultation process.

Consider Red Flags

As you likely don’t spend much time with attorneys, or at the very least consulting attorneys (specifically divorce attorneys), there are warning signs you need to look for and be aware of.

For starters, do they respond to your emails and phone calls in a timely fashion? While attorneys can’t always answer the phone or your email immediately, as they might be with a client or in court, they should usually respond to your requests quickly.

Your divorce attorney should be compassionate but professional, knowledgeable, invested in your case, and honest with you about your case — the good as well the bad. If they are unable to do any or all of these, or you just don’t feel comfortable with or confident in them, you might want to look elsewhere. We can help you on how to find a good divorce attorney.

Schedule A Divorce Attorney Consultation Today

It is important for you to retain a divorce attorney you trust. You also want to make sure they have the necessary skill and experience to help deliver the best possible results for you. Navigating through a divorce can be tricky, but that doesn’t mean you need to do it on your own. That is why you need the guidance of a trained and dedicated professional. You owe it to yourself to partner with the attorneys and staff of Wilson, Lackey, Rohr & Hall, P.C. Contact the law firm today.

author
David Lackey
David S. Lackey is a veteran attorney in Lenoir, NC. He specializes in real estate, business law, personal injury, and family law. Mr. Lackey has been the County Attorney for Caldwell County since December 1990 and has also served as the President of the Caldwell County Bar Association and the 25th Judicial District Bar.