Divorce is a highly emotional time in your life. You are likely dealing with a wide range of emotions including anger, sadness and betrayal. These emotions can make it difficult to focus on legal issues. That is why you need a qualified divorce attorney to help you navigate the process. Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your case.
There are many things to consider when hiring a divorce lawyer. You should first determine what your needs and goals are in the divorce process. For example, you may want sole custody of your children or a fair division of your assets. You will also want an attorney who has several years of experience handling divorce cases. You should also consider how responsive the attorney is to your questions and concerns.
A good divorce attorney in Houston will be knowledgeable and familiar with the laws and local courts that apply to your situation. They will also have extensive experience handling a wide variety of family law matters including divorces, child custody disputes and property settlements. In addition, they should be able to provide you with a realistic assessment of your case and will fight for what is fair under the circumstances.
The best way to find a divorce attorney is through a referral from a friend or trusted colleague. However, if that is not possible, you can use online resources to identify potential candidates. You can then interview these candidates to decide if they are the best fit for your needs. You should ask the attorney about their expertise, approach to divorce cases and fees.
Once you have narrowed down your search for a divorce attorney, it is important to schedule a consultation. During this meeting, the attorney will listen to your concerns and answer your questions. They will then provide you with a game plan for your case. This can include a timeline for your divorce, a list of documents that you will need to gather and an estimated cost for the entire process.
After the initial consultation, you should hire an attorney who meets your criteria. Once you do, you can work with them to draft your divorce documents and file them with the court. Your lawyer can also help you understand how your divorce will impact your finances, children’s lives and other areas of your life. They can also offer you resources and referrals to professionals who can help you cope with the emotional aspects of divorce.
It is customary for divorce attorneys to require a retainer to begin working on your case. The retainer will be held in an escrow account, which the attorney will draw from as they bill hours for your case. Generally, the retainer should be between $2,500 and $15,000 depending on how complex your case is. Once the retainer is depleted, you will need to replenish it in order to continue working with the attorney. For this reason, it is important to choose an attorney who you are comfortable working with over the course of multiple months.