Finding the Best Divorce Lawyer: A Comprehensive Guide
Hiring the best divorce lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family. This is because the results of your case can have a long-term impact on you, your children and even your financial security. Having an experienced attorney by your side to ensure all forms are filed correctly, negotiations or court appearances lean in your favor, and that the issues of contested or uncontested divorce are brought to a fair resolution will give you peace of mind that your case is being handled properly.
In order to find the right Chicago divorce attorney for your case, it’s important to do your research first. You can start by asking for referrals from friends, family and other trusted sources like divorce coaches, counselors or wealth planners who are familiar with the complexities of divorce cases. You should also look for online reviews and testimonials. But keep in mind that a high number of five-star reviews may not necessarily mean that the attorney is the best fit for your case because many of these reviews are submitted by the attorney’s own firm or marketing representatives.
The next thing to consider is the attorney’s specialization. You want an attorney who focuses on divorce and family law and has extensive experience in those areas. This includes knowledge of how Illinois laws affect property division, custody, alimony and other matters that arise in a divorce or separation.
Some attorneys are jacks-of-all-trades and handle all types of legal matters, but they don’t specialize in divorce or family law. This can be a problem because the laws relating to divorce and family issues are constantly changing. For example, Illinois changed its law on alimony from a lifetime award to a statutory income share model in 2015.
Choosing a family lawyer who is a specialist in your particular situation will save you time, money and stress. Most divorce cases in Illinois are settled outside of court through negotiations between the spouses and their respective attorneys.
It’s also a good idea to consider the attorney’s background and training. For example, does the lawyer publish articles or books on divorce and family law? Do they teach at a law school or university? Are they a trained mediator or collaborative practice lawyer? While these factors aren’t always necessary or important, they can be a good indicator that the attorney is knowledgeable and dedicated to the field.
If your case involves substantial assets, large estates or complex business valuations you will need a lawyer who has extensive experience handling high net worth divorces. This type of case requires a great deal of expertise to successfully navigate because it involves a lot of discovery, investigations and complex financial issues. Choosing a good family attorney who has extensive experience handling these types of complex cases can greatly increase your chances of success. This is because the attorney will have the knowledge and resources needed to efficiently and effectively represent you in your case.