Things to look out for when choosing a divorce lawyer
Whether you are looking to buy or sell property or drafting a will or getting a divorce, it is important to get an experienced attorney to help you draft out the necessary legal documents as these are significant moments in your life. In this article, we will share some tips that will help you in choosing the right divorce lawyer for you.
Types of divorce lawyer
To get a better idea of how lawyers charge, we can generally divide them into different contexts:
Independent/Solo Lawyers
If you are looking for a lawyer with a more personal touch, the independent or solo lawyer is who you are looking for. This type of divorce lawyer usually works independently or is a partner at a small law firm. As he can only take up so many cases at one time, he will often require a first consultation to gauge the seriousness of their clients and will be charged at reasonable and affordable rates.
Law Firms
A law firm is an organisation comprising a lawyer and several of his associates working under him. Due to their size, they are often able to handle many cases at any given moment and are able to give free first consultations at the risk that the enquirer does not go through with the law firm’s services. Compared to the independent lawyer, they are able to spend more on marketing and thus they usually look more polished. However, when engaging a divorce law firm, you may not always get the lawyer you are looking for as the senior lawyer may pass off your case to one of his associates who may not be what you expect.
How to look for the right lawyers
There are many ways in which people get to know about their lawyers and these can be by hearing from friends and family or through online advertisements.
Word of mouth
Word of mouth is the most common way that people get to know about different lawyers and their services. Ask around friends or family members about their experiences with lawyers or law firms to get an insight on how the lawyers may be able to help you.
Online Advertisements
Law firms nowadays are maintaining an online presence to keep up in the digital age. If you Google for law services, it is inevitable to come across advertisements for lawyers and law firms. You can make a list of these law services and do more research on them to choose the right lawyer or law firm for you.
LegallySmart Singapore
Here at LegallySmart, we specialize in connecting our clients with potential lawyers specializing in Family Law. Drop us an enquiry and we will get back to you with a list of lawyers you can consider contacting.
How to choose a divorce lawyer
Here are a few things to look out for when you choose a divorce lawyer.
Lawyer’s experience
Well this is a no brainer. A lawyer with many years of experience is probably able to help you with their wealth of knowledge and expertise. As such, getting a lawyer experienced and with a good track record in family law can be very beneficial.
Legal Service Required
When choosing a divorce lawyer, you should know what legal services you require. Is the divorce being contested and litigation is required? Are negotiations with your spouse involved? Getting a lawyer that is experienced in the services that you require is important as they are able to advise you on the best course of action on your case.
Cost of services
Make sure that you are familiar with the costs of your lawyers services and set aside a budget that can include the unexpected costs that may be incurred. A divorce case can be contentious and the spouse can demand that the Statement of Particulars be changed before accepting the terms of divorce. As such, the lawyer fees can be higher than you expect as the costs increase every time your lawyer has to make amendments to the paperwork.
Comfort with lawyer
The most important thing to consider when choosing a lawyer is your comfort with the said lawyer. A lawyer that you are comfortable with can give you a peace of mind and make the process much easier after all, your personal interests should be able to be understood and well represented by your lawyer.
When choosing a divorce lawyer or law firm, do your research on the different lawyers and law firms and make sure you are familiar with the terms and the costs involved. A divorce is never easy and a lawyer that you are comfortable with and is experienced in family law can give you a better peace of mind and make the divorce process much easier.
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