Choosing A Divorce Lawyer With Expertise in Local Requirements and Regulations

by Christy O�Connor

Divorce is a difficult decision to make for any couple no matter what the circumstances may be. Divorce lawyers do not always make it any easier because their purpose is to take care of their client. However, it is also important to understand the importance of hiring a lawyer with expertise in the laws governing divorce. It is not enough to hire just any family lawyer-you need a divorce lawyer, preferably one that has been practicing for a good many years. While it is true that everyone must obtain experience through practice, you need to protect yourself from making wrong choices or receiving bad advice.

While it is not always true, you will find that many family lawyers have their own specialties. Some of the cases that involve family law include the following:

� Child support

� Custody

� Visitation

� Wills and inheritance

� Monitoring and administration of estates and trust funds

� Divorce and separation

� Real estate

� Bankruptcy

As you can see from the above list, there is more to family law than divorce, so you need to make sure to choose a lawyer who has expertise specifically in divorce. While child support, custody and visitation often accompany divorce, they can also be separate petitions that accompany the breakup of a relationship where children are involved. Thus, you should never assume a good family lawyer is always the best divorce lawyer.

There are several steps you need to follow in order to determine if a particular family lawyer has expertise as a divorce lawyer.

� Talk to his or her office staff-they are the best ones to know what kinds of cases the lawyer has on the calendar.

� Schedule a consultation and view the books that are on the shelves in the lawyer's office-almost all lawyers have reference books that are directly related to their areas of expertise.

� Ask for references for other clients the lawyer has represented

� Review the kinds of cases that are on the court's dockets for that lawyer

Is expertise that important in divorce? Lawyers have experience in the courtroom and as such can handle all cases, right? That is not necessarily so as we have indicated above. If you don't hire a divorce lawyer, it is possible you will come out of the divorce with far less than the amount to which you are entitled. This is especially true in the case of a contested divorce, and in most cases the spouse that is contesting the divorce will hire the best divorce lawyer he or she can afford in order to make sure they come out smelling like a rose.

Always speak with experienced divorce lawyers and choose someone you feel comfortable hiring. Remember, the lawyer you choose will help you not only obtain a divorce but will be there to help make sure you receive an equitable settlement as well. The best thing you can do for yourself is take the time to research several divorce lawyers before you make a final decision.

About the Author

Christy Oconnor is a divorce lawyer specializing in divorce application, child custody, divorce settlements and the like.