CHOOSE WISELY

In the same way that no one wants to have an illness, no one wants to get divorced. But like finding the right doctor, finding the right divorce attorney is critical to a successful outcome. To get the right fit, there are many things to consider.

Do you want a firm or do you want a person who works alone? Do you want someone who specializes in issues involving children? Do you want someone who’s familiar with small businesses? Do you want someone who understands executive compensation and restricted stock units? Do you want someone who is familiar with each of the judges in the county and can advise you regarding what to expect? Do you want someone who’s able to listen and can help you create a strategy for your family? Do you want someone who can quickly review and understand financial information? Do you want someone who understands retirement assets? Do you want someone who patiently answers your questions? Do you want someone who can write and effectively communicate? Do you want someone who is going to be a fierce and effective advocate in court? Do you want someone who can sit down at a conference table, find a creative solution, and bring people to the middle?

In my experience, every one of these qualities is important and in fact, you deserve to have nothing less than an attorney who has it all.

One of the common misconceptions is that if you want your divorce to be amicable, you should choose an attorney who does not specialize in trial or litigation. As a result, because you don’t want to go to trial and you don’t want to be involved in litigation, you choose someone with no trial experience. This could end up putting you at a disadvantage.

I have found that having an attorney who has the strength and experience to go to trial, when needed, is actually a deterrent to both litigation and trials. Strength changes everything. It’s much more effective to walk into a room to negotiate a settlement and create an amicable resolution if your attorney has the strength and experience to go to trial. You are much less likely to be bullied into a settlement that does not make sense.

Similarly, if you’re focused on child and custody issues, you may choose an attorney who only specializes in those issues and is not as experienced in the financial and property area of divorce. However, once the child issues are resolved, you’ll quickly learn that you need an attorney who has the knowledge and expertise in the financial area to make sure that you and your children are financially set up for success. Both areas are important to the successful resolution of your divorce.

Again, just like when you find a new doctor, when choosing your divorce attorney, interview more than one. Ask questions, not only about the one issue that is most important to you but about each of the areas of divorce. Ask them about their strategy and notice whether they have listened to and responded to your questions and concerns. Find someone who will be pleasant to deal with, and who you feel is worthy of your trust. The divorce process is much easier when you choose the right divorce attorney to guide you through the process.

Michone J. Riewer is an attorney with Strategic Divorce in Lake Bluff, 847-234-4445, strategicdivorce.com.