This is probably one of the most asked questions when someone comes to the realization that a divorce is inevitable.  But at the same time, you may find it to be the most difficult if you do not know where to look.  Divorce attorneys are usually a dime a dozen, and many of them actually get into to it as a side practice because with them it is usually good money with minimal work.  That doesn’t mean that they aren’t good attorneys if just means that a divorce case isn’t top on their priority list.  But there are ways that you can weed out the good from the bad, and hopefully you are able to make an intelligent choice based on the facts rather than your emotions.

Quick Note: Stay away from divorce attorneys that advertise themselves on cable stations, late local television, or on the radio.  If he/she needs to spend money advertising to get clients they are likely to be either sub par or brand new to the area.  In either case, you don’t want to take a chance when your future, and your kids are at stake.

The first step is to ask around.  Talk to “loyal friends”, co-workers, anyone you can trust that you know has been through a divorce before.  They may have already done a lot of the research for you and can recommend a divorce attorney that they feel confident in.  There is reason to be weary though because you are not always sure who is siding with your wife during your divorce, and some of them may in fact lead you in the wrong direction.  If you have any doubts about who you are talking to, act interested, but take what they say with a grain of salt.

The second step is to go out and do some research yourself.  This could mean setting up consultations and talking directly with divorce attorneys.  But don’t go in there with the intention of hiring anyone, in fact leave your checkbook and credit cards at home.  Just like any salesman, divorce attorneys will try to sell themselves from the get-go and will want you to hire them on the spot.  Just think of a car salesman and the line that you hear every time you walk onto the lot… “What will it take to get you to drive this car home today!”.  Everyone has heard it, you just have to be strong and tell them that you are just checking out your options.  But make sure to spend your time with the divorce attorneys wisely.  Ask lots a questions including, but not limited to:

1) How much do you charge and is there a retainer?  (This may be different for contested and uncontested divorce cases)

2) What percentage of divorce cases do you reach a favorable decision for your client?

3) What percentage of your divorce cases actually end up going to court?  (This makes a big difference on how much you can expect to pay)

4) What plan of action would you take in my situation and do you predict that I will reach a favorable outcome.  (Remember: if a divorce attorney guarantees that he/she will win your case for you, that is actually a bad sign.  No divorce attorney can make such a guarantee, especially since their is no way that they know all the facts in your divorce case from one short meeting!)

These are just some of the more important questions that you can ask, but feel free to as anything, although they may decline to answer them all without hiring them first.  But again don’t let them push you into that.  Besides if you remember from Divorce Tip #3, the more divorce attorneys you consult with the less options that your wife will have.

Finally there is one more option that I was not aware of until I had to deal with my divorce.  There is probably no one else that sees these divorce attorneys in action more than a deputy sheriff in you county.  All deputy sheriffs have to spend some time in the court room and have gotten to know the tactics of aggressive divorce attorneys firsthand.  If you are friends with a deputy sheriff or no someone who is, ask them who they think is a top-notch attorney.  This is in fact how I came to hire my divorce attorney, and it has worked out very well.  The ironic thing was that another deputy sheriff recommended my attorney to my wife as well, but luckily I acted quickly and was able to get a consultation with her first.  And as you know once I spoke with that divorce attorney, my wife wasn’t even given the chance to talk to her!