4 Questions To Ask When Hiring a Divorce Attorney

Deciding that it's time to file for divorce from your spouse is never easy. You plan to build a life with someone and when that doesn't pan out, it can be heart-wrenching. While there is no completely easy way to go through the process, having the right divorce lawyer can help to mitigate the complexities of the process. Asking the right questions when you're searching for a lawyer is essential for finding the right one.

1. Do You Specialize in Divorce?

When you're seeking more information on divorce attorneys in Knoxville, the first question you should ask is whether they specialize in divorce. Divorce is a part of family law, but a person who practices it as a whole may have more experience with situations such as adoptions than they do with divorce. To ensure you get through the process as easy as possible, it's important to work with someone who has handled many divorce cases.

2. Do You Know My Spouse or My Spouse's Attorney?

If your divorce lawyer knows your spouse through work, college, or another outlet, that can be a huge conflict of interest, even if they aren't close. The same may be said if your lawyer knows your spouse's lawyer. If they just happened to go to a seminar together, it's not typically a big deal. However, if they were college roommates, that may cloud how your attorney approaches your case. The best idea is to hire someone who has no knowledge of your spouse outside of what you discuss in your meetings. 

3. How Do You Handle Communication?

Every attorney has his or her own style of communication. If you want your experience with your attorney to be a satisfactory one, then your communication styles should mesh well together. For example, if you lead a busy work life and prefer to communicate via email or text, a lawyer who always calls you may not be a good fit. On the other hand, if you want regular updates about your case but only hear from your attorney every few weeks, you may be left feeling anxious about the situation. Ask how your lawyer will communicate with you and how often to determine if it's a good match.

4. Are You Familiar With the Judges in the Family Court?

The more information that your attorney has about the local family court judges, how they operate, and how they tend to rule, the more likely it is that you'll have a bit of an upper hand with your attorney. Choose someone who understands the judge's reputation, especially if there is a child custody case involved. An attorney who is familiar with the judge on your case will be able to come up with the best strategies to create a case that will come out in your favor. 

Going through a divorce is often an emotionally tumultuous time. Hiring an attorney who is compassionate about your situation while still business-like enough to handle your case effectively is vital. Talk to several lawyers and compare notes before deciding which one to hire.