Getting a divorce is a highly stressful life event. It helps to have an experienced divorce attorney by your side who you trust to help you make life-changing decisions involved in a divorce. Consider the following qualities as you consider your choice for a divorce attorney.
What Makes a Good Divorce Attorney?
Some specific qualities in a good divorce attorney are:
- Someone who really cares about their clients. Divorce is hard. Your home and family dynamics are changing. You may not even want the divorce but because of Texas law, you have no choice. Divorce attorneys need to understand this and develop a rapport with the client.
- An attorney who focuses their practice on family law. Being a certified divorce specialist is often a plus but is not a requirement for a good, experienced family law attorney.
- A lawyer who is compassionate and understanding with their clients instead of “bossing” them around. For some divorcing people, this is the worst time of their lives. If an attorney can be understanding and have empathy with their client’s plight, it makes for a better experience for the client.
- Someone who is up front with their client and explains what is involved and what to expect. Of course, we don’t have a crystal ball to be able to predict the future; however, attorneys often forget that the legal system is foreign to most people who find themselves caught up in its grasp.
What does “Best Legal Advice” Mean?
The best legal advice begins with telling the client the truth, even if the information is not what they want to hear. Sometimes, attorneys must tell the client that the approach they want to take is not in their best interest and they need guidance to be able to steer them in a different direction.
When children are involved, clients need to focus on what is in the best interest of the children. This may be difficult for the person who does not want the divorce, or the spouse who wants to “fight” and be the “winner” in the conflict.
When divorcing spouses feel their attorney is really on their side, negotiations are more productive. The spouses learn to compromise and reach a settlement that may not be exactly what they hoped for, but one that keeps the peace for the future and helps them be productive and amicable co-parents.
For More Information About Divorce Contact an Experienced Dallas Family Law Attorney
To schedule a free initial consultation with a Dallas Family Law Attorney, contact Paula Lock Smyth Law Offices at 214-420-1800.
Paula Lock Smyth has practiced law in Texas since 1985, focusing on Family Law, Probate, Mediation, and Collaborative Divorce. She is a trained mediator, seasoned litigator, and one of the early adopters of Collaborative Divorce in Texas. Paula is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar and the Texas Bar Foundation and has served as Past President of Dallas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. She was a Master in the Annette Stewart Inn of Court and is a Charter Member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas. Her legal knowledge and decades of experience make her a trusted voice on matters that impact families across Dallas and surrounding counties.