Although divorce rates are dropping, the reality is that almost 40% of marriages will culminate in divorce.
If you need to file for divorce in Virginia, the first thing you should do is look for a Virginia divorce lawyer to help you with the proceedings.
Even if your divorce is likely to be amicable or simple, you should still seek out a Virginia divorce attorney. They will be able to protect you from any potential complications and make sure that your interests are fairly represented.
It’s also very important that you don’t hire the first lawyer you find. If you do, you might end up spending more money than you need to, receive poor service, or end up with a lawyer who doesn’t have much experience with divorce in Virginia.
Continue reading to find out how to make sure you engage the best Virginia divorce lawyer for your case.
Look For an Attorney Who Specializes in Virginia Divorce Cases
The first thing to look for in a lawyer before you file for divorce in Virginia is specialization.
There are many general lawyers out there who will take on divorce cases. However, this isn’t their area of specialty and they won’t have as much experience with Virginia divorce law as an attorney who specializes solely in that.
The more experienced your Virginia divorce attorney is, the smoother your case is likely to go. An experienced divorce attorney will have the niche legal expertise to ensure that your divorce case finalizes as soon as possible with the minimum of unnecessary complications.
They will also be better able to negotiate and mediate so that you can reach a fair property settlement agreement.
Choosing a Virginia divorce lawyer with years of experience behind them might also help you save on costs. For example, Ephraim Law offers some of the lowest fees in the country because we have worked at streamlining our process for over 25 years.
We handle hundreds of divorce cases each year and use special software for preparing legal documents quickly and accurately. This saves our clients both time and money.
Consider the Type of Divorce You Want
Another thing to think about is the type of divorce you are going to file. This will help you choose the ideal lawyer for your case.
Some divorce attorneys specialize in high-profile, big-ticket divorces. Others, like Michael Ephraim, specifically aim to keep the divorce cases of their clients simple and affordable.
If you’re about to file for divorce in Virginia, and you know your affairs are relatively simple, then the last thing you want is to hire a lawyer who specializes in complicated cases.
Instead, you should look for a Virginia divorce lawyer who will keep your case simple, help resolve any issues that do come up, and not charge you an arm and a leg for their services.
Get Clarification on Fee Structures and Final Costs
Once you have found a potential Virginia divorce attorney the next step is to get clarity on their fee structure.
Besides asking them about their fee structure, you should also try and find out what your final costs will likely be. Some lawyers might be a little hesitant to answer you on this point.
If they can’t give you any indication of what your total costs will be, this can be a warning flag. Of course, if your divorce case is complex and includes multiple financial or property issues, it can be hard for a lawyer to estimate costs upfront.
However, if your affairs are relatively simple, and you’re filing an uncontested divorce, they should be able to give you a rough idea of what the total cost for their services might be.
Vet for Good Customer Service
You should also evaluate a potential firm’s customer service.
Are you dealt with promptly and politely? Is the lawyer friendly and helpful in their interactions with you?
Alternatively, are you forced to hold the line, or wait days for a response? If so, this is a sign that the law firm doesn’t take your business seriously and that their customer service isn’t very good.
Look Out for Red Flags
Last but not least, watch out for potential red flags when choosing a Virginia divorce lawyer.
If an attorney seems abrupt or uncompassionate, this can be a warning flag. If you feel like they are rushing you through anything, this is also a sign that they might not be the right lawyer to hire.
Another red flag is an attorney who promises you guaranteed outcomes on a contested divorce. An attorney can say whether they think yours will be a complicated or a fast divorce. However, if a divorce is contested, an attorney shouldn’t give you a solid guarantee that your case will be settled in x amount of weeks or months or that they can get you x amount of settlement.
If unexpected developments crop up in the divorce process, your attorney will need to negotiate. If they don’t, your case might end up as one of the 5% of divorces that wind up in court, instead of the 95% that are settled out of courtrooms.
Are You Looking for a Reliable Attorney to Help You File for Divorce in Virginia?
No matter your jurisdiction, it’s essential that you pick the right attorney for your divorce case.
If you’re planning to file for divorce in Virginia, and you want to make the process as quick, simple, and affordable as possible, we can help.
Ephraim Law specializes in quick Virginia divorce. We have streamlined the process to be as easy and cost-effective for our clients as possible.
Contact the law office of Michael Ephraim today to discuss your Virginia divorce options.