Finding the Best Divorce Lawyers in Los Angeles
If you’re experiencing a divorce, it’s in your best interest to consider the best divorce lawyers in Los Angeles sooner than later. Finding the right attorney for your needs may be overwhelming, but there are a few things you can do to tackle the process quickly and efficiently. Here’s how to find the best divorce lawyers in Los Angeles.
How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyers in Los Angeles
When couples simply cannot work out their differences, sometimes the best decision for everyone involved is to separate. In fact, separation is so common that around 40 percent of marriages on US soil ultimately end in divorce.
For an action so common, it may surprise you to learn that few Americans truly understand the divorce process and how complex it can be. Issues like financial entanglement, child support payments, custody, alimony, and even the splitting of assets can be immensely difficult to manage. Emotions often run high, making decisions even more difficult.
Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be this way. Working with a divorce attorney ensures your rights are respected at all times, no matter how simple or complex the process becomes. Use this guide to find the best divorce lawyer in Los Angeles.
Related: How to Find a Good Divorce Lawyer
Identifying Specialized Needs
Your first task is to identify your needs – this includes any specialized requirements or unique situational factors that might impact which lawyer you hire.
Think about your divorce and separation. Make a list of all contributing factors and aspects you need to be handled before you can consider the matter finished.
For example, you might include:
- Vehicle allocation
- Real estate allocation
- Child custody arrangements
- Alimony and child support allocation
- Joint account separation
- Name changes (parents and kids)
- Pet custody (if required)
- Protective order needs (mostly for domestic violence cases)
- Divorce mediation
Be as detailed as you can – these factors can and will change the type of lawyer you need. For example, a couple who co-owns a business together may need a divorce lawyer as well as someone who specializes in business law. On the other hand, a spouse who has dual citizenship and is divorcing on US soil, but plans to move back to their home country with the children, may need someone who specializes in child custody and international custody arrangements.
Where to Find Divorce Lawyers
Once you have a basic understanding of your own needs, it’s time to use a few online and real-world resources to create a shortlist of options.
First, know that there’s nothing wrong with searching for lawyers online. Try typing “divorce attorneys in Los Angeles” into Google. Browse each result from an actual law firm to see what they offer and whether they might be right for you.
If you don’t feel comfortable searching yourself, you can also turn to a lawyer referral service. These organizations maintain an extensive database of vetted divorce lawyers with a long track record of success. Often, they can take down your information and cross-reference it to identify the perfect match.
Referral services are also licensed by the California Bar, meaning they have to adhere to extremely strict ethical and legal regulations. They can only refer to you a lawyer who truly suits your needs, meaning you can trust their recommendation.
Personal referrals from friends, family members, and even local professionals (such as your accountant) can also be helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask others around you if they’ve used the services of a divorce lawyer, and if so, how their experience was.
Lastly, you do also have the option to contact the California Bar for information directly. The Bar maintains their own in-house referral service to help Californians connect with legal services and/or verify if the lawyers they find are legitimate.
Make a shortlist of the attorneys who seem to best fit your needs. Keep this list with you as you move through the next few steps.
Confirming Quality and Experience
We’ve talked a bit about how to find the names of lawyers. Now, let’s talk about how to verify if a lawyer is truly an expert, as well as how you can be sure they’ll really work to help you through your divorce.
First, research any lawyers thoroughly online, even if you don’t get their name from a Google search. Read reviews from past clients to see if others felt well-served.
A quick note: be careful to take online reviews with a grain of salt. While they can be useful, some may be fake or even malicious. The same is true of positive reviews, too! Try not to write a lawyer off for a single negative review; instead, look for patterns, such as an overwhelming number of negatives to positives.
You can also ask a prospective lawyer for their license number if you have concerns about whether they’re legitimate. Call the California Bar directly and ask them to tell you if the lawyer has a current and active license to practice law. They can also confirm whether the lawyer has any outstanding complaints, lawsuits, or disciplinary actions against them under the Bar.
You should now have a very short list of a few lawyers who are well-suited to your needs. The next step is to schedule a few initial consultations so you can ask questions and get answers before moving forward.
What to Ask During Initial Consultation
Most lawyers offer initial consultations either for free or at a reduced rate. The purpose of this appointment is to allow you to get to know each other and determine whether you can work together effectively.
Ask questions like :
- Do you specialize in divorce law?
- Where did you go to school?
- How much experience do you have?
- How often do you win a case?
- How often do you lose a case?
- How much do you charge?
- How will we communicate about my case?
- Will you or someone else in your law firm handle my case?
Related: How Much Does a Divorce Cost in California
These questions may seem simple, but the way the attorney answers them, and how readily they hand over information, can be very telling.
Generally, a divorce lawyer should be more than willing – and more than ready – to provide you with any information you need to make an informed decision. Be cautious of lawyers who dodge questions, refuse to answer, or attempt to tell you why the information is irrelevant. You should feel respected, heard, and valued at all times. If you don’t feel these elements during a consultation, move on.
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