Selecting a divorce attorney can be a pretty daunting task. No one wants to sift through online advertisements and hire the first divorce attorney that they find. This will be the individual that will assist in negotiating the terms of the divorce, so it is vital to ensure they have the credentials, skill and experience, and style required at a price that is affordable.

Your divorce lawyer is not your personal therapist. This is not the person to be talking to if you have any unaddressed emotional or psychological issues. They are only there to assist you legally.

Your divorce lawyer is not a minister or priest. If you really need spiritual advice, your lawyer is not going to cut it.

Your divorce lawyer should absolutely not represent both you and your spouse. There is just no way to be completely neutral to both parties. It is true that an attorney can represent one side with the other continuing without a lawyer. You should however be extremely cautious of any lawyer claiming they can represent both sides in a divorce.

Choosing the correct family law firm can help you retain your financial security. But, choosing the wrong one can cause you to lose assets that you should retain. Worst of all an incompetent lawyer could also cause you to lose your parental rights as well.

What you want is a knowledgeable attorney that is willing to fight tooth and nail for you. They should also walk you through the entire process and respect what you need during this hard time. Many times litigants will change lawyers multiple times before the case is even concluded. The reason being is that they do not put in the time or effort to properly find the right family law firm.

The process of divorce when you take it down to its essence is simply two people coming to an agreement about no longer staying married and figuring out how to best live their lives apart. Throughout this there are several key things that need to be resolved:

Parenting Schedules, Financial Support and Child Custody – You need an experienced family lawyer to handle this area as it is very complex.

Finance Matters – Money, banking accounts, money market funds and anything relating to your joint finances

Retirement Finances – IRAs, pensions, pre-determined retirement plans and anything relating to your retirement

Property – All tangible items including cars, jewelry, tools, furniture, photographs and all personal property needs to be sorted out

Life Insurance – Whole life insurance policies have cash value

Your Debts – I know that no one wants to take responsibility of the financial debts that come from a marriage but this is a complicated and critical subject for your lawyer to handle.

Spousal Support – Sometimes spousal support is granted if one party earns more money than the other in comparison. The length of the marriage will also determine how much is paid for spousal support.

The family law firm that you choose should fit the following criteria and should follow these standards:

Complete Knowledge Of Family Law

Without a doubt the overall thing you want in a family law attorney is knowledge of family law. Experienced family law firms will not only be familiar with the law but will also be up to date on legal trends and the legal system in general. A good lawyer will be able to handle any emergency that might come up during your case and handle it effortlessly.

Comfort Level

You are after all paying for their services so you should be at ease and always treated with respect. Often going with your instincts will help you choose the right lawyer. It is very important that you feel comfortable with your attorney so you don’t hesitate to ask about anything, no matter how trivial you think it is.

Do They Want To Win?

Although this can be pretty difficult to figure out during your first visit it is much more likely that they will be aggressive and determined to win for you if they are exited at the onset. A disinterested lawyer will miss many facts about your case.

Do They Have Support?

Any good family law firm has multiple staff members including other attorneys and paralegals. The more complicated your case the more assistance will be needed. Oftentimes specialists are called in to help your case. Having the proper people supporting them will allow your lawyer to be more focused.

Divorce can be a very stressful and emotionally painful experience. In a difficult time such as this it’s not only tough on you but on your family as well. Now is not the time to have the additional stress of wondering if you picked the right lawyer.

The lawyer that you have representing you should not be an obstacle. They should be experienced, strong and ready to fight for you and your best interests. With a good lawyer at your side you can focus on your family’s emotional status. You will only make this time harder on yourself by not carefully choosing the right lawyer.

C. Todd Marks is an attorney who believes in an environment that shows respect and professionalism not only to their clients, but also to their adversaries and their counsel. By doing so they establish goodwill that ultimately benefits their clients.

Hiring a divorce lawyer is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks anyone can face. Although the decision to file divorce can be painful, lack of appropriate legal counsel can create further discord and leave divorcees in dire straits. Taking time to locate the appropriate attorney to handle divorce can reduce stress and help both parties reach an amicable agreement.

Knowing whether your divorce will be contested or uncontested can help you locate an appropriate lawyer. Couples with children should hire attorneys well-versed in family law. Couples who have financial or real estate holdings will want to work with divorce lawyers possessing a background in finances and investments. If there are no children involved and no financial assets, a less expensive divorce lawyer may be sufficient.

Start by developing a list of potential candidates. Ask friends, family, neighbors or co-workers for referrals. Considering nearly half of all marriages fail, chances are you know someone who has worked with a divorce lawyer. If you aren’t comfortable asking for referrals, browse your local telephone directory.

Contact each attorney on your list and ask questions about the lawyers’ experience, retainer and fees. If you feel the attorney might be suited for your situation, arrange a meeting. Most law firms offer free consultations to review your case. Interview a minimum of three divorce lawyers before making a final decision.

Prior to hiring a divorce lawyer, request a meeting with the staff members who will work on your case. For most people, divorce is a stressful and emotional time. It is important to work with people who suit your personality and can provide guidance during this difficult time.

Divorce lawyers may charge a flat fee or hourly rate. More often than not, an hourly fee is charged. On average, rates range from $150 to $375 per hour. Unless you have an overflowing bank account, you will want to work with a lawyer who is proficient with their time.

In reality, there is no such thing as an easy divorce. Even if both parties are in total agreement, divorce is an emotional and life-altering event. However, if divorce is particularly messy, it is crucial to locate a lawyer who will fight for your rights and protect your interests.

Whether you live right here in Tennessee or live out-of-state and have family law issues that bring you here, The Memphis divorce attorneys at Richter & Rasberry will fight for your family and protect your interests. You can depend on their proven effectiveness in state courts. Their experience in family law and in-depth knowledge of specific Tennessee statutes protect your interests and those of your family during stressful times. They represent clients in all courts in Tennessee—including circuit, chancery, and juvenile—to successfully handle your family law case.