I ask others who had been through a divorce. Good luck....

Ask around.... there's usually one who is referred to a pit bull. Ask friends who have been divorced recently.... a word of warning the better they are the more they cost.

Ask around to other ppl who went through divorces *sigh.
I actually found my in the yellow pages and interviewed several.
I took a chance and found a good one. Best of luck....it's trial and error.

What yomama said, certainty learned that you get what you pay for...

Lily - I'm going to give a long-ish answer to a quick question.

Top notch attorneys are in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - very stringent requirements. We have members in every state I believe and some foreign countries. We have a website.

Legal specialists - some states have a certification program for legal specialists in fields like family law. These people have to be in practice for a designated period of time, take continuing education courses, pass a written test, etc. We have a website in California.

Asking around - never a bad idea. Ask friends, attorneys, anyone you have connections with. I get referrals from former clients (and the other side), other attorneys,judges, employment benefit departments, companies, the DA's office and a lot of other sources. I don't advertise. From my experience, the ones who do are not the top lawyers.

Hope this helps.

Lynne

Yes, get one who only does family law. It will cost more but will be worth it. Even if they have a bulldog reputation stick to the speciality atty.

I interviewed four before I made my decision. A local who was suspose to be a bulldog. (no way) One who wouldn't take it because the ex worked overseas. One who I didn't like when she was in a workout class with me. Was making too many promises on what I was entitled to receive.

I hired the man who specialized in family law. He was the only one who could tell me how to have the ex served in the Sahara in North Africa. He was well worth the money he charged me and didn't add to my stress level.

Calls were answered promptly. Statements mailed every month. He was the best one I could have found and I was very lucky he took my case. He only took 3 or 4 cases a year and they were the $100,00.00 divorces. Mine was just a simple little divorce and he helped me cut cost.

Google the top 50 family law attorneys in your county or state. Play around with it. Start with the top 100, then 50, 25 and 10. See what comes up. If any of those names keep popping up with friends, go and interview them. Once you talk to them your stbx never can.

Trish - I would love to know who your attorney was - I always like to expand my referral list of the good ones. PM me if you want.

Lynne

Thanks, Lynne, for the advice. I don't know many people to ask for a recommendation, so this is helpful. I have been looking on-line and in the phone book, but I have no clue how to determine which lawyers are any good.

In my case, I was not in my native country and the few friends I had had never dealt with divorce. I was terrified and lost. I googled alot and saw the suggestion that I go to the Family Court Office in my city. I did and spoke with someone who directed me to the local "Women in Crisis Center". (I said that I had not been abused, to which she responded "but you *are* in crisis...go"!)....I spoke with a counselor for free and she gave me a list of attorneys that 1) provided an initial free consult. 2) that specialized in family law. She pointed out 3 which stood above the rest and gave me a bit of additional info re their approach w/ clients. I then asked the secretary at the Crisis Center which one she thought was the best (she was a together woman, and sees it all...and said, "I used this one...you can't find any better in the city"). The rest is history.

Oestonee - I'm laughing at your response because I have been referred to as a pit bull (among other things - piranha, bitch, ball-buster - you know it). Doesn't bother me!

Lynne

Awww Lynn, You may be a ball buster, but you're OUR ball buster and you can bake like no other ball buster on the bar!

Thanks, Red - I appreciate that. You're right, my Christmas parties for the bar were legendary - people used to take pictures of the "chocolate room" and spend the evening in it sampling. 70 to 80 desserts was a lot of sampling...

Appetizers (at least l2 including 3 filo), ham, turkey, seafood, at least three hot entrees - I cooked for months!

Didn't do it this year and still thinking about next - 200 to 300 people are a lot to feed.

Lynne

Definitely ask. I was lucky because I knew who my x would hire. I simply called the dad of one of my daughter's friends (also an attorney in town) and asked him who would be a good attorney for me considering my situation. He asked me if he could think about it. Called me back within 15 minutes...telling me exactly who he would hire and why.

Just like some have said, my attorney is a bull dog! He has fought for me every step of the way. I LOVE my attorney. LOL...how many people can say that? It's going to cost me a small fortune but it's money well spent. He's been able to get nearly everything I've wanted so far (but I haven't asked for the moon or anything...mostly reasonable stuff)...including sole legal custody of my kids.

Ask around...go talk to the attorney. See if he/she is interested in your case. Make sure they are honest with you about your expectations and don't believe any of them who tell you that you will get everything you want and then some.

ha ha that's funny. I had someone who was suppose to be one of the best. - She's called the piranha.
But damn, she screwed me royally. - it was as if she and STBX attorney were working together.
new attorney can't believe what she did to me and how much she has me responsible for paying. Didn't even give me a breakdown on child support and temp support. her last comment to me was - well what do you want ' neither of you have any money. ' my comment back was - 'but I would have thought my attorney would have made him liable for these items'. She has me paying 1000.00 more each month in expenses that our business had previously been paying.
So there really isn't anyway to know how they will do for you. You have to interview and then go see how they act in court. - even then, you take a chance.
Sorry Lynne, I am not liking attorneys these days.

Good luck lily