When you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you probably understand that you should hire a lawyer, but you might not know how to find the right attorney for you. You need to perform due diligence in hiring a divorce attorney, and there are certain qualities you should look for during the process. Consider the tips below from Dawes Legal, LLC, in conducting your search for an Ohio divorce lawyer.
- Experience – First and foremost, you want to hire an attorney who has experience with divorce cases. This includes overall experience but also experience in your jurisdiction in Ohio. You also want to be sure your attorney has experience with some of the particular issues involved in your divorce. For instance, if you will need to divide a family business in your divorce, you should hire an attorney who has experience with business division during Ohio divorce proceedings.
- Knowledge of Ohio Law – Along with experience handling divorce cases, you want to hire an attorney who has a thorough command of Ohio law with regard to divorce and dissolution. Every state has different laws that apply to divorce. This means you need to make sure your lawyer understands the aspects of divorce proceedings that are unique to the state of Ohio and has experience litigating cases in Ohio courts.
- Reputation – Your attorney should have a positive reputation in and out of the legal community in your area. It’s important that your lawyer be well respected and have a reputation for gaining the best results for clients. To research this information, you can look at the firm’s website, search for online client and colleague reviews, and ask people you know whether they know anything about the firm you’re considering.
- Client Service – One of the most common complaints about lawyers is that they do not communicate well enough with their clients. Be sure your lawyer has a history of superior client service and dedication to keeping clients informed and involved in the process of their divorce. You want to work with an attorney who helps you along the way and understands the importance of your remaining apprised of all developments in your case.
While the above is not an exhaustive list, following these tips can help you find the right attorney for your Ohio divorce case. You should set up consultations with the lawyers you’re considering to have the opportunity to speak to attorneys and their staff members and ask questions about how your case will be handled. If you do not receive satisfactory answers during any of your consultations, you should strongly consider hiring someone else.
Dawes Legal, LLC, is an established practice in Columbus with years of experience working on divorce cases in the state of Ohio. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation with Attorney Shannon Dawes by calling (614) 733-9999.