Does Having a Good Lawyer Help?

People read in the newspapers about large divorce settlements and people will say the person must have had a good lawyer. It’s probably true, in all likelihood they’ve employed a high-powered, and very expensive, lawyer who specialises in divorce work and know how to make the best of all the facts available.

Most of us, however, don’t have the deep pockets to afford that kind of legal representation in divorce or Family Court proceedings. But even for us ordinary mortals, can a good lawyer make a real difference?

What Makes A Good Divorce Lawyer?

There are a number of things that make a good divorce lawyer, but perhaps the most vital is someone with whom you feel comfortable, and that you feel will do the best job for you – someone you trust to work on your behalf.

That said, there are qualities you should want in a lawyer. He (or she, of course) should specialise in family law, and have extensive court experience. That means they’ll be familiar with anything they’re likely to encounter in your case and able to act more effectively on your behalf.

Someone who’s a good fighter is a plus, especially in difficult cases, but not abrasive – he also has to be able to charm the court. A balance of the tenacious and polite is ideal. That last thing you want is someone who loses his temper easily; that’s just going to antagonise people.

It’s worth getting recommendations from friends who’ve been through a divorce, and there are also the Yellow Pages as a way to find a lawyer. Ultimately, however, until you sit down with the person and have a feel for them, you’re not going to know whether they will work well for you.

The First Interview

One thing about a good lawyer is that they cost quite a bit of money, so you’d better be prepared to pay. But remember that the first time you meet, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you. You should emerge with a good picture of what the lawyer believes he can do for you in your case, and how much it’s likely to cost – although this can only obviously be a rounded figure, since there are many variables.

What Should A Good Lawyer Do?

A good lawyer will know all the angles and be willing to pursue all the facts in order to win your case. He should be a skilled investigator, but also an excellent negotiator – that can actually help proceedings move more quickly, if he’s able to reach a favourable agreement with your ex’s lawyer before you have to go to court (and that will also save you money).

Ultimately, of course, the lawyer should be able to achieve the result you want, whatever that might be. That’s his goal, and he earns his fee by achieving it, or getting as close as possible. He has to be better than the other lawyer, because, if it comes to court, it’s essentially a contest, especially in acrimonious cases. There are other factors involved, which include the CAFCASS report and the wishes of the children, naturally, but someone well versed in family law will be able to work with those to your advantage. Essentially, you’re paying for the experience and skill the person can bring to your problem.

He needs to focus on the areas that are most important to you, whether those relate to access or financial terms, and not be distracted by other issues. You want a good overall settlement, but you have to say what’s vital to you, to give good instructions. A good lawyer really can make the difference.

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