No two attorneys are alike, so you need to take the initiative to ask questions to ensure that the person you will be trusting to represent you is really the right fit for you.  Three questions are essential to discover if this attorney will be the best for you and your case:

• Do you have the time and experience for this type of case?

• Time:  Even the best attorney cannot perform well if they don’t have the time resources to dedicate to you.  Make sure that your attorney is comfortable with the time that your case will take and court where your appearances will be made.

• Experience: If you are facing a criminal charge, you want to confirm that the attorney you are considering has extensive experience in criminal defense.
  • References:  Ask your attorney for references, and follow through to contact the references given.  Find out what advice others have for you about working with this attorney.

• What strategy do you envision for this case? 

• Motions, Trial, or Settlement strategy:  Some cases are a good fit for a Motion to Suppress, which basically alleges that the evidence against you should be thrown out because that evidence was obtained by violating your Constitutional rights.  Other cases may be a better fit for trial because the evidence is not sufficient or potential may exist for testimony from witnesses that could help your case.  Other cases might be a good fit for a settlement strategy and sometimes even a cooperation with the prosecution.  There are many good ways to approach a criminal case, so you should find out what this attorney feels is the best approach to decide if that matches up with the approach you had in mind.

• How will I be billed and what cost should I anticipate?

• Billing:  Attorneys typical bill with an hourly structure or flat fee.  You will want to find out how you will be billed.  Some attorneys will not give an estimate on the cost of the case, but the more information you can get about the billing, the better you’ll be able to plan.

• Retainer Agreement:  Many attorneys utilize a retainer agreement, which is just a document that typically outlines what you will pay and what those payments covered.  If you are using a flat fee legal service, you will want to pay particular attention to whether you are billed extra for emails, phone calls, meetings, rescheduled hearings, etc. Under any billing system, you need to look for additional charges for items such as copies, so that you can be prepared for the bills.

Knowledge is power, so take the time to ask these important questions.  Evaluate the answers carefully and do not be afraid to follow up with addition inquiries.  You are the client, which means you are the employer of the attorney for this case, so take the lead in finding out if this person is the right lawyer for you.

Whether you were married a short time or for forever, whether you have kids or no kids, there is no easy divorce.  The end of a marriage is emotionally challenging for all parties involved.  If you have a spiteful spouse or a challenging custody situation, then the emotional toll can be even greater.  This article will give 5 tips on how to help yourself handle the emotional, financial, and physical trauma of an ugly divorce:

1. Focus on Yourself.  When you are going through a separation or divorce, you need to give yourself permission to focus on you and what can best meet your needs.  This means something different for each individual.  For some, it may mean taking time to get outside and reconnect with nature.  For others, spending the time and money on massage or manicure may be therapeutic.  You may be in a place where you just want to lie in bed and be sad and do nothing.  You need to allow yourself to grieve in your own way.
2. Take One Day At a Time.  Facing a big life change can be overwhelming.  You may be wondering what will happen with children, finances, property, other assets, common friends, relatives, etc.  Remember that those things will sort themselves out as things evolve and progress.  If you focus on taking one day at a time, trying to accomplish what is necessary to succeed in just that one day, and facing the problems and challenges that arise in just that day, then you’ll be better able to manage the stress of separation or divorce.
3. Reach Out to Family and Friends.  One emotion many people struggle with in separation or divorce is a feeling of failure or shame, and consequently it’s common for people to shy away from family and friends during the separation or divorce process.  A different perspective may help you overcome those negative emotions.  Consider how many friends and associates you know that are divorced.  Look online to see the statistics on the success rates of relationships.  Take steps to reassure yourself that you are in good company if your marriage did not work out as hoped.  Reach out to family and friends because they love you and will support you through this difficult time.
4. Talk About Your Feelings.  Throughout the separation or divorce period, you will likely be on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  Anger, sadness, disappointment, relief, happiness, fear and every other emotion are likely to overcome you at different times in the process.  Take the time to open up to a trusted friend or family member to talk about how you feel.  Try to find someone who is not affiliated with your former spouse, so that you can feel that the person is entirely on your side.  You may want to be cautious of posting your feelings on social media or other public forums, but don’t miss the chance to discuss with a therapist, group, good friend, or family member.

 

• Focus on a Bright Future.  Although seeing a bright future may be challenging right now, when you are grieving over what was lost, you may find benefit in sitting down and making a list of positive thoughts, goals, and feelings.  Consider a new hobby to take up. Think about dreams that were previously unfulfilled that may be an available opportunity now. Realize that the growth that you will experience through this challenge will make you a stronger, more empathetic person.

Separation and divorce are tough, but if you concentrate on taking care of yourself, living one day at a time, reaching out to family and friends, sharing feelings and focusing on a bright future, you will find that you can achieve greatness in this difficult time.

You know that your decision about legal representation is very important not only for the outcome of your case, but for your emotional and mental well-being in the process.  In your quest to find the best person for the best price, make sure that you don’t fall into these 5 pitfalls of mistakes people often make when selecting an attorney:

 

• Not asking Enough Questions

 

People often fall into one of two categories:  Either they are a little intimidated by the legal system and afraid to ask questions, or they want to appear confident and knowledgeable, and so they don’t reach out with questions.  Don’t fall into this trap.  You need to ask questions, take notes, and make sure you understand every aspect of your legal representation.  Remember to ask:

• Who will be handling my case?
  • The partner or an associate?
• What experience does this attorney have in this particular case?
• Would you consider it a complex or simple case?
• How will I be billed?
• Can you estimate the cost of this matter?
• What is the most effective and cost efficient way to communicate with my attorney?
  • Phone calls, emails, coordinating with staff?
• What evidence will need to be preserved and how should I preserve it?  

 

 

• Failing to Examine Other Clients’ Results

 

Each case is unique, and a good outcome for another client doesn’t necessarily guarantee a great outcome for you because the facts and circumstances are different.  However, it is important to see what results other clients had to give you an idea of the level of experience an attorney has, and how satisfied other clients were with the representation.  A great firm will often post these results on their own website.  (See for example, http://www.davidknechtlaw.com/results/).  

1. Not researching the practice areas of the potential attorney.  

In medicine, people are generally aware that you should find the right specialist – for example, you wouldn’t go to a podiatrist for brain surgery. You should certainly consider the practice areas of the attorneys you are considering.  Many attorneys will list their practice areas on their website.  (See for example, http://www.davidknechtlaw.com/practice-areas/).  If an attorney doesn’t list practice areas, you should ask how many cases of your type that attorney has handled.  You should be wary of attorney who is reluctant to identify practice areas because their reluctance may indicate a lack of experience in any one area.

1. Skipping over the references.

It is surprising how many people hire an attorney without checking references.  You can use social media to crowd source the answer.  Some people post on Facebook asking for recommendations.  Others contact friends directly who have faced similar legal issues for advice.  If you are reluctant to make your search for an attorney public, another good sources of reference is the attorney himself/herself.  You can check the website.  (See for example, http://www.davidknechtlaw.com/testimonials/).  You can also ask the attorney if they would feel comfortable having you talk to a previous client.  Do your homework, and don’t forget references.

 

• Choosing based only on cost.

 

While cost is a factor in your decision-making process, it should not be the only factor.  Some people are tempted to go with the cheapest attorney, only to find out that the bill adds up.  Others go with the most expensive attorney, assuming that cost correlates with successful outcomes.  The reality is that cost should be a consideration, but the attorney’s reputation, references, and experience should all weigh into your final determination as to who is best for you.