If you feel that your marriage is now beyond reparation, then you must consult your attorney. Selecting the right lawyer is as difficult as finding a perfect pair of shoes. You need to have a healthy working relationship with you attorney as you will spend several months with him/her. Divorce is a life changing decision and must be taken with utmost caution. So hire the best possible lawyer you can afford, one who will help you with children custody, property settlement and much more.

It is important to find a lawyer who is right for you in your case. Whether you are leaving or being left, this phase in life is very emotional and traumatic. Below are few tips that can help you while choosing your divorce attorney:

Make a choice – Discuss with family and friends who have been through a divorce and ask for references. Making a selection is difficult, but making a wrong selection while choosing an attorney is going to be even more painful and expensive. If, at any point in time, you feel that the shortlisted lawyer is not good, interview more lawyers and switch, the earlier the better. Try and choose an attorney from a smaller firm as he or she will be more flexible with time as compared to a partner firm.
Cost – Divorce attorneys generally charge per hour, depending on their experience and brand value. Some attorneys do offer reduced or no consultation fee to attract customers. However, some may charge you for the time spent on telephone and writing emails. You can also ask about the payment options to make necessary arrangements.
Location – The location of divorce attorney office may or may not be important, depending on individual needs. In case the lawyer’s office is far, then you may end up spend a lot of time commuting, not to mention added fuel cost that you will have to bear. However many localities have their own by-laws. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the attorney from the nearby locality.
Interview – You are advised to interview 3 – 4 lawyers and ask them few questions separately. You can select them from yellow pages or from the recommendations from family and friends. Ask them about their experience and number of divorce cases handled and the percentage of cases resulted in settlement. Do not hesitate to ask them about their. Additionally, familiarize yourself before interviewing attorneys as many localities have their own by-laws.
Compatibility – You must feel compatible and comfortable with the lawyer. The relationship between the lawyer and the client is very important as you will be discussing the facts of your life with him/her. Also think about your preference for male or female attorney. Irrespective of caste, age, color or gender, the comfort level is most important, so make sure that the attorney is one with whom you can share and talk freely.

With the above-mentioned tips, you are sure to find locating the right attorney easy. Best of luck in your search for a suitable attorney and for the legal battle ahead!