What to look out for when hiring a lawyer?

Formal_Republic_4313 · 2022-07-06T22:30:32+00:00

Watch "Divorce Corp" on Netflix.

JuneCleaversMudFlaps · 2022-07-06T21:37:01+00:00

If they start to ask anything other than finances, for instance, personal drama between you and your spouse…. Bail.

bridd84 · 2022-07-07T03:30:55+00:00

Ask if the lawyer or paralegal will perform redline document changes, MS Word Track Changes is most common. Avoid them if they only send letters or bulleted emails with changes to documents.

Ask if they console their clients emotionally, and don’t go with anyone who does. Lawyers are not therapists, but pretend to be to rack up hours.

As about communication preferences… are text messages ok, can you reach them off hours on critical dates without excessive costs, will the consult you before making lengthy appointments. Ask them about a time they satisfied a picky client.

If they don’t use modern technology like MS Word, PDFs, or prefer fax machines, then don’t use them.

Ask what motions are available to exercise, whether they provide any estimates for time at all, phases of divorce, (should say discovery, pre-trial, and trial) and when they normally reach settlement.

Ask if they have any satisfied clients that would take your call as a reference.

Don’t be bashful or let them make you feel bashful about any questions. I went through three attorneys before finding the right one. This could affect your life savings, debt, and retirement situations for years or decades.

dday_throwaway3 · 2022-07-06T21:27:00+00:00

Finding attorneys to interview: https://forum.mensdivorce.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13377

swrdfsh2 · 2022-07-07T00:42:04+00:00

I’m in Washington, the first thing to know is that if you have a PAID consult with a firm they cannot and will not take a consultation with your spouse.

Use this to your advantage. Weintraub, Genesis, and McKinley, book a paid consult with these firms. It will cost you roughly 1.5k but is worth it to lock them out.

Best bet, if you can do it, is meditation. Which means you agree on everything before you even set the appointment. Otherwise expect a long and expensive road ahead.

If I was going the litigious route McKinley would be who I’d go with.

NohoTwoPointOh · 2022-07-06T21:41:11+00:00

Preferably someone active in getting some of the local judges elected.

OldRooter_06 · 2022-07-07T01:32:54+00:00

I would be careful of men advocacy lawyers. They tend to just rile you up. If things don't go your way, they just blame the system. Some of it is about what fits your personality.

My lawyer told me there is thing called leveling. You'll find a lawyer on your level. If you're someone who likes to be hysterical, push people to their limits, or lie then guess what ? You'll probably find a lawyer just like that. And in my STBXW's case, that lawyer will turn around and then screw you.

I've appreciated having a lawyer who is a realist. She doesn't promise the moon or anything. She also challenges me from time to time. And I don't know why but it matters to me that she does care. I've been very lucky in all reality. My lawyer doesn't have a fancy office or legal aids. She works out of the cheapest office space in tri-county Michigan. She also has a good reputation with the local judges and clerks which helps. Judges and clerks don't like bulldogs. From time to time these judges and clerks have looked out for her.

I wouldn't hire a lawyer who's going to charge you just to talk and interview them as some do. That's a red flag they are going to nickel and dime you.

This is just all my biographical opinion (:

pyrodemon1337 · 2022-07-07T04:33:16+00:00

Get a woman to represent you.

SudetenNachkomme · 2022-07-07T00:50:24+00:00

Any kids involved? (Makes a huge difference)

Otherwise a lawyer who is responsive and (if you’re up against a vindictive ex) has a proven track record of successfully representing men. Look out for bullish personalities 👍

mercybull · 2022-07-07T03:43:29+00:00

So I got a super expensive lawyer from a top firm and got my ass handed to me. His reality and mine were different. The way he looked at finances and time were the way wealthy people look at it. I am self employed and definitely not wealthy! I am much less wealthy after the divorce and have less time to generate more income. I would also recommend a female attorney, they seem to play the game better. A rich male attorney, is like "f it" just pay it and move on. Also make sure they didn't just have their first child, building their new house and take on to many clients to satisfy their partners! Get someone that is empathetic, smart and willing to fight for you.

Stunning-Apricot-655 · 2022-07-07T06:38:09+00:00

Somebody who isn't interested in destroying relationships, especially with children (if you have any). Some lawyers just want to keep fighting and goad people into going to court for everything. My lawyer was very good at leveling-setting with me and telling me which battles to pick.

ForsakenGround2994 · 2022-07-07T07:43:25+00:00

Get a lady attorney.

walkingdisaster4046 · 2022-07-06T23:32:31+00:00

Questions to consider for lawyer that you may find helpful:

1) What percentage of cases have been resolved in mediation, collaborative law, arbitration or trial? Do they work towards compromise or fight in court.

2) How many cases are you currently handling? Will signal if overloaded and you maybe an after thought or limited availability.

3) What is the expectation on communication (when, frequency, channel)? What is expect time to respond by lawyer? Don’t want to sit around and get no response for weeks on end.

4) if applicable do they experience with high income earner in conflict mgmt? What about child custody and high conflict?

5) Do they have a paralegal available you can leverage? Will cost you less and help move things along with paperwork and correspondence.

6) Do they know the judge (if already served filed w court)?

7) Ask for high level opinion on how they’d approach/handle your case.

8) What is initial retainer, billing frequency and hourly rates of team (ex: paralegal vs attorney)

Hope that helps.

Pleasant_7239 · 2022-07-06T20:50:54+00:00

A guy who's been through it already, I'm not sure you can trust anyone else to really understand.

Title	What to look out for when hiring a lawyer?
Author	papier_k
Upvotes	12
Comments	45
Date	July 6, 2022 8:48 PM UTC (4 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/vt05u9/what_to_look_out_for_when_hiring_a_lawyer/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/what-to-look-out-for-when-hiring-a-lawyer.1122792 https://theredarchive.com/post/1122792

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