Know Your Priorities As You Choose Your Divorce Lawyer
As an established family law firm serving Washington clients, Akiona Law, PLLC, consists of attorneys who understand the challenges of this tough time for families. Many married couples have felt trapped indoors with their partners after a year or more of work-from-home arrangements. Some unhappy spouses tell themselves that they deserve a more rewarding life. If you are one of those and are considering a marital breakup, your first question may seem clear. With many options for legal counsel at your disposal, you may be wondering, “How do I choose a good divorce lawyer?”
The answer lies in a question you should ask any potential family law attorney: “What is your approach to divorce and family law cases?” If they have no ready answer, you can clarify with a second question: “Do you have a one-size-fits-all approach, or will you suggest a case plan based on the good and bad facts of my situation?” Ideally, your divorce lawyer will offer to give you an honest assessment and suggest a plan focused on your individual circumstances, including the following:
- Your ability and willingness to consider uncontested divorce
- Your preference for a divorce or a legal separation
- Your expectations regarding the division of marital property
- Your family’s child custody and support needs
Choosing an uncontested divorce is a good option for people who can work out their differences with their spouse and help from lawyers, mediators and professionals such as divorce coaches, counselors and others as needed. Using mediation or collaborative divorce can be very successful and lead to positive results without the stress, acrimony and cost of a trial.
You Deserve A Customized Case Assessment
You don’t want to end up with a divorce lawyer who uses a standard, cookie-cutter approach. Just as no two marriages are alike, no two divorces are identical. If a critical detail pops up that doesn’t neatly fall into place, a one-size-first-all attorney may not know how to handle it or may follow inappropriate methods for resolution.
When your marriage and divorce involve unique aspects, you need a divorce attorney who cares enough about your situation to tell you the truth (even if you may not like hearing it). Your lawyer should provide you with a personalized case assessment highlighting realistic goals suitable to your circumstances. The best divorce lawyers will be willing to conduct a case assessment just for you, considering all of your key facts – both good and bad. They will tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear.
Your Lawyer Should Lay Out A Realistic Case Strategy And Plan, Including Mediation And Collaborative Divorce
The next question to ask your potential divorce lawyer is, “Now that I’ve told you about the good and bad facts, what is your recommended case strategy?” Your attorney’s strategy should lay the foundation of their legal plan in your divorce or family law matter. You want an effective, creative divorce lawyer who will recommend a case strategy that fits difficult pieces into your case plan.
To answer the questions such as, “How do I choose a good divorce lawyer?” or “Who are the best divorce lawyers in Seattle?”, you must consider what separates a good divorce lawyer from the crowd.
Such a lawyer will give you an honest and realistic case assessment based on the good, bad and ugly facts, including things that you might want to ignore, but your spouse likely won’t let you forget.
The best divorce lawyer will then tailor a recommended case plan to your unique circumstances and needs. This plan should help you move toward your goals, considering the strengths and weaknesses of your family law case. To learn more about Akiona Law, PLLC’s case assessments and case plans, check out our blog post entitled, “What Sets Akiona Law Apart From Other Washington State Divorce Law Firms?”
Let’s Begin Your Case Analysis
At Akiona Law, PLLC, we understand you may be feeling overwhelmed. We are committed to treating you with honesty and respect at all times. Our experience has prepared us to care for you when you need our support. We intend to achieve that mission by being frank about the strengths and weaknesses of your situation. We aim to empower you with knowledge so you can make the best decisions about how to move forward in your divorce.
If you are struggling with a divorce or family law issue, contact Akiona Law, PLLC, today. We offer well-thought-out, experienced and creative guidance to move you forward in resolving your divorce or family law legal matter. Your feelings and goals matter to us. To schedule a consultation, contact us by calling 425-740-2209 or complete our online inquiry form.