Getting divorced can be a very difficult time in your life, especially if you have worries about housing, money, and custody of children. Hiring a divorce lawyer will help you and your spouse come to a fair and legally sound agreement.
Find A Lawyer With The Right Skills
Every divorce is different, and so every couple needs different skills from their divorce lawyer. Divorce lawyers can offer many services from giving advice on property to representing clients in court to preparing the necessary paperwork. If your case is relatively straightforward, then any good divorce lawyer will serve your needs. However, if it is more complicated, you might want to find a lawyer with experience in that area, whether you need to sort out custody of multiple children, want to split up an art collection fairly, or have had a lot of trouble coming to any kind of agreement. Lawyers' websites will give you a good idea of what they can do, or you can ask questions via email or phone.
Ask About Their Fees
Hiring a divorce lawyer can be expensive, but if you need to sort out claims to property, custody of children, or shared debt, it can save you money in the long run, as well as assuring you that everything is done fairly and legally. The average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer in Australia is typically around $15,000 to $20,000, though it depends greatly on the complexity of the case. Figure out exactly what you can afford to contribute and what your overall budget is, then speak to various lawyers about the cost of their services. Don't necessarily go for the cheapest, but choose someone who seems to provide overall value for money.
Organise An Initial Consultation
Many lawyers offer initial consultations where they can answer any questions you might have and also get an idea of what your specific case will involve. However, it will also give you an idea of whether you want to hire them. Do they seem to be taking your concerns seriously? Are they clear and realistic about what you could achieve? Are there any red flags, such as lateness or a lack of understanding? If you're happy to proceed with a certain lawyer after a consultation, then you can move forward.
If you are sure that your potential divorce lawyer has the right skills for you, offers fees that are good value and within your budget, and will be fair and respectful, your experience of working with them is likely to be a positive one. Reach out to a divorce lawyer near you to get started.