How To Find A Divorce Lawyer

Do I need a divorce lawyer?

People often ask about whether they need a divorce lawyer. If you have no assets and are renting, you probably don't need a lawyer. You could download all the divorce forms from the internet and do it yourself. However, if you do have assets and you do have complex finances, you most certainly do need a divorce lawyer to unravel it so that you don't end up in a mess, or have an unfair settlement.

How do I find a divorce lawyer?

To find a divorce lawyer, you can either phone the Law Society, who have a panel of lawyers, or you can speak to an organisation called Resolution, who are the panel that control the expert divorce lawyers, and they will give someone in your area.

Should I choose a lawyer by recommendation?

You should try, if possible, to chose a divorce lawyer by recommendation - a lawyer that someone you know has used, tried, and tested. You want to be able to get on with your divorce lawyer, and know that they can really help and work with you.

Should I choose a lawyer from the phone book?

I don't recommend that you choose a divorce lawyer from the phone book. You might go wrong: you won't know their credentials, whether they've got the experience, or whether they know what they're doing in the divorce field. You shouldn't choose a lawyer from the phone book, you should choose someone that is recommended by a friend or through the Law Society. You don't want to go wrong, this is your life at stake.

What can I do myself?

What you can do yourself to minimise costs when going through a divorce is to write out a history of your relationship and a schedule of your assets when you go to see your divorce lawyer. That will cut down the time you spend with them. The more you phone your lawyer or go to visit them, the more your costs will be, so try and cut that down if possible. If you need emotional help, go to see a counsellor. Don't use your divorce lawyer for emotional support in that way.