Mine was a guy that has been a friend of the family's for years. He was my dad's lawyer and when I needed some advice I went to him and took on the case. That's how I found my lawyer.

Legal or mentally?

I'm sorry I didnt read the top part. OK legaly

I gotmine through legal aid. I am not working at this time, and when they looked at the reasons for me wanting a divorce, they said that they could take me.

The lawyer my Dad's Lodge buddy found for me was useless...lol.. she told me to sell the house and get the divorce over with. NOT going to happen.

I found another lawyer thru a woman buddy I knew, she was in the middle of her divorce. The fit was great, I got along with them, they listened to me.

Advice.. go prepared.
Time is money at the firms.

so.. have all your assets listed, house, the value of it.. etc.. cars, pensions, joint investments, bank accounts, time shares, everything that will have to be either sold or split up.

The names, birthdates, of the children
if you have these things already listed on a piece of paper you can hand that to them and save time.

Think about what you want.. what you will require to live on your own. Be realistic, what you will need to raise two children, assuming you have the children.

Good plan to list all the assets.. it will give you a clear idea from where you stand financially.

lost, depends on what you're fighting for. if house, custody of kids, etc. then don't go cheap. if there's nothing to fight over, try and do it yourself even or can find many inexpensive lawyers not specialized in divorce but will help you through to the end. almost always, there's something to fight for, pensions, assets, the dog, etc. divorce never is easy

My therapist gave me a couple of lawyer's names and I picked one from his suggestions.

Mkae sure you find out how many cases they are doing...you wnat personal attention..time dedicated to our case..you're aping them for it. Find out how succesful they have been with other fathers in gettting them visitation, etc.

You should have his/her cell...he/she should be your new best friend.

Will you be nickel n dimed for phone calls, faxes, mailings?

What is their gameplan for you and your case in getting you what YOU want.

Take my word, see more than one - I went to one and she told me basically I was screwed...I talked to a couple before I chose the one I stuck with (Thank God) anyway all the lawyers I looked at will give you a first time consultation free - that way you know what and who you are dealing with.

all very good points.. and Rob.. so right on.

Make sure they are working for you.. and they are making you a priority... and yes.. ask their success rate.

very good points everyone... and I think going for the free consultation and asking blunt questions is the way to find the right fit.

don't go too cheap cos it will take longer.. sometimes working with a Go to It!..Shark will get the job done faster and cheaper in the end.

I talked to about 5 or 6, actually talked to one who was a big fish in a small pond for free and he sent me to another guy. I ended up firing that one and hiring a lawyer that represented my cousing some years ago. Much better and more aggressive. I would say try to find a good referral and talk to as many as you can afford. This is not the time to be penny pinching as it can save you a fortune in the long run.

This is how I got my lawyer..

I made an appointment with the one that had a reputation for making stbx's very afraid..

Went to the appt. only to find out that he would not represent me..ex is a cop with a lot of cases out there.

Mean lawyer called 5 lawyers for me before he found one that would take my case.

In the end..I didn't need a mean Lawyer. Mine was great at talking with my ex and avoiding fights.

There are two types of divorce lawyers - mediation types and litigation types..l be sure what kind you need ( if you expect a nasty down and out battle you need a litigation type)

I called someone I knew of who had a very nasty battle and got his referral.