by Mike Gilmore
You want three things in your divorce lawyer; expertise, reliability, and the right attitude. The best attorney to employ is one who, for at least half their time, is dealing with divorce cases and is fully skilled in mediation techniques. They will need to be someone in whom you can place your trust and feel comfortable working with so if these criteria cannot be met then you will need to look elsewhere.
Those attorneys who prefer mediation will look to solve problems by talking and not through the conflict based approach many attorneys wish to provide. To save time when you contact your divorce lawyer, keep conversations brief and to the point, which can be achieved by preparing what you need from them in advance.
This is best done by knowing exactly what you intend to speak to them about and write down questions and answers in addition to when, and the length of the conversation on each occasion. Keep a file for all your notes, letters and documents so do as much as possible on the phone and by mail to keep the office time at a minimum.
Regard your attorney as a resource, not someone you depend on for emotional support because they cost too much for you to use them for sympathy and consolation; besides, you have family and friends for that. Always keep to the facts of the case when you speak with your divorce lawyer, don't start complaining about you spouses actions unless you want your lawyer to take some legal action on your behalf.
You really want your lawyer to know that you are in control and in charge of what is going on and that they are to help you with legal and technical issues and not to get your life straight. It is important they know any decisions regarding the divorce are yours to make and they are there for their knowledge and experience in providing legal recommendations. You must also let them know that you expect copies of all correspondence to be sent to you for your own records and if you contact them by phone, you expect a reply within one working day.
There are instances when you may not actually need direct legal representation but may just wish to use the services of a lawyer for advice on legal aspects like a marital settlement. For someone taking this route, it is only important that you approach a lawyer to have certain aspects explained once you have carried out you own research. If you have employed a divorce lawyer to help you with a marital settlement, whether you have compiled it yourself or asked them too, it is easy to ask them for additional help if the case does not proceed according to plan.
About the Author:
The more you know the better decisions you can make, like the topic of Imago Relationship Therapy. Join us Lds Marriage Counseling.
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