Nobody embarks on married life with the intention of filing for divorce down the line. Yet almost half of all marriages end in divorce. And it is one of the most traumatic experiences you can undergo apart from the loss of a child or life partner. In fact, divorce is a sort of death.
It is the death of hopes and dreams, of the future you imagined for yourself. Even in the best-case scenario, when both parties are in agreement about separating, there is still sadness and a sense of failure. More often the break-up of a marriage is painful, bitter, and traumatizing.
This is when the legal process can seem so completely at odds with what you feeling and going through. The law deals with hard facts and evidence. Your marriage was built on love and trust and compromise – soft assets. How can someone trained in the former help you to dissolve the latter?
Below I have some tips to help you select the right divorce lawyer for an efficient divorce process combining both soft skills and a strong understanding of the legal process.
Look For Soft Skills When Choosing a Divorce Attorney
So a good divorce lawyer is not only skilled in the law… which goes without saying, but is also a good listener, sensitive to what is not being said, and discreet and unshockable when faced with intimate information… in other words a good counselor.
A good divorce lawyer is mindful of the client’s budget and doesn’t run up the bill unnecessarily. So a tearful client may be offered tissues and a listening ear, but the attorney will gently direct the consultation to the business at hand.
One recently divorced man commented, “I used to keep one eye on my watch to make sure our meetings didn’t run past the hour, because a minute into the second hour meant a bill for the entire time.” Less scrupulous lawyers may invite you to bare your soul while you run up a bill you may not be able to afford.
Choosing a Divorce Attorney Who Is Firm When Necessary
A divorce lawyer needs more than soft skills and good time management. There are times when it’s necessary to be assertive and firm on the client’s behalf, and sometimes with the client. When people are hurting they are not always rational and may make unreasonable demands of those who are helping them and especially of those who have caused the hurt.
A good lawyer provides a reality check, for example, if one party tries to deny the other all access to children. This is where the ‘hard’ law comes in handy, as well as skill in mediation and arbitration. The law makes it easy to tell a divorcing client what the other party’s rights are; good people skills make it easier for the client to hear.
And a good lawyer must be resolute when it comes to safeguarding the client’s interests – and those of any children involved. Good negotiating skills and flexibility mean an agreement is reached as quickly and painlessly as possible without compromising integrity.
Personal Recommendations and/or Reviews Matter
Word of mouth is invaluable. You possibly know someone who is divorced, and quite possibly even someone going through a divorce right now. Ask them about their experiences. What did their attorney do that was helpful? What aspects of the process were the most stressful? Reflecting on these points will help you to determine the qualities that matter to you as you seek counsel for this life-changing event.
Alternatively, you can also check out the online reviews of the attorneys you are currently considering. People share their experiences about service providers online and those can give you an excellent reflection of the experience you are also likely to receive.
Our law firm also has excellent reviews on Google that you can check out here.
Choosing a Divorce Attorney That Is Right for You
You can ask for a recommendation but remember, what’s right for one person isn’t always right for another. Don’t be afraid to interview a few ‘prospects’. Over the next few weeks or months, you are going to see a lot of the person you select. You need to feel comfortable and cared for.
In the initial consultation, ask questions. Make sure you feel you can work together. This relationship will determine your future – how the children of the marriage are cared for, the financial settlement, etc. It will never be painless, but you want safe hands helping you through the pain. Consider this when choosing a divorce attorney.
Help Is at Hand
Pretoria family law attorneys, Kamfer Attorneys, are experienced family law practitioners. We understand what you need in this trying time. Lulama and her expert team can guide you through the process, recommend the best route for you and your circumstances, and ensure you close one chapter of your life with the strength to begin a new one.
