How to Select a Divorce Lawyer - One Size Does Not Fit All

If you ask a lawyer:. "How many divorce cases have you tried?" you have unsheathed a double edge sword. If the answer is hundreds, that may indicate an inability to negotiate and find creative solutions to deal with impasses. If the answer is "a few", that may indicate a lack of trial experience. Another way to phrase the question is "What percentage of your divorce cases go to full trial?" You are looking for someone who has tried a number of divorce cases. One person can learn as much trying 6 cases as an other can learn trying 12 so the actual number can be misleading. However, when viewed in light of other factors, you should have some idea about whether the lawyer who has tried 6 cases has garnered the type of trial experience suitable for your case. Also, someone who has 6 cases under their belt may fit well with a relatively uncomplicated financial type of divorce but may not be ideal for a high asset case. Some divorce lawyers have accounting backgrounds. Find this out because if your case has a fairly involved financial backdrop you would be well served by such a person. Another factor is that one attorney may be stronger on custody issues and another on forensic accounting issues.. You should identify the key issues in your divorce and present those issues to your prospective lawyer. You then are in a better position to make your selection based on that lawyers background as it relates to your type of divorce. Cases with significant emotional components involving custody, abuse or infidelity, may be better suited in the hands of someone who is connected to the mental health field in some significant way. Perhaps they have used mental health professionals repeatedly in their practice. Perhaps they possess specialized knowledge concerning such issues as a result of training, education and experience. Perhaps their demeanor projects a humanistic "Gestalt" which would effectively translate in presenting your case. DO not let anyone tell you that fault does not matter. Regarding issues of alimony and property division it does matter. I am not talking about relatively minor fault issues. However, significant abuse, drug use (including alcohol) and other serious fault issues need to be representatively placed before the Judge. Issues regarding custody require a skilled and experience lawyer who understands the legal as well as psychological dynamics involved. Questions like "Describe the types of custody disputes you have handled" or "What Continuing Education Courses have you taken dealing with custody issues?" are particularly appropriate. In my opinion, a good lawyer for custody issues should be tenacious but even tempered. WHAT SHOULD NOT MATTER: 1. The attorney's sex or sexual preference. 2. The attorney's race, religion or ethnic background. 3. The attorney's marital status. 4. Whether the attorney is "good looking" (of course appropriate dress is important) WHAT REALLY MATTERS: A SINCERE, EXPERIENCED AND HONEST LAWYER WHO WANTS TO GET YOU A FAIR AND JUST RESULT AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. Selecting a good divorce lawyer is not an impossible task if you know the major issues in your divorce. Armed with that knowledge, you can look for a lawyer experienced in those issues. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_L_Ponzini