Divorce lawyers can help people navigate complex legal issues such as spousal support, child custody and property division. They are skilled at presenting cases to judges and seeing the big picture, which helps them find solutions that might otherwise be overlooked. They can also help their clients remain calm and levelheaded during the process, especially in situations where two formerly married people are struggling to communicate with one another. Divorce can be expensive, and even though some people choose to represent themselves, it’s nearly always in a client’s best interests to have experienced representation.

When choosing the best divorce attorney, it’s important to make sure the lawyer and client see eye-to-eye on the approach to take in a given situation. This includes whether the approach is mediation, collaborative or traditional litigation, and it can also include how aggressively to push for a settlement. It’s against the rules of professional conduct in most states for divorce lawyers to represent both sides of a case, so hiring an attorney with whom you can communicate openly is crucial.

You’ll be conveying a lot of personal information to your divorce attorney, including intimate details about yourself and your relationships. You’ll also be discussing some of your most important life events with your attorney, such as your hopes for the future as a parent or your financial status. You need to hire for “fit,” and you want an attorney whose personality and style mesh with yours. You’ll be spending a significant amount of time with your attorney over the course of multiple months.

Your attorney’s reputation should be a factor in your choice, as well. A reputable family law firm will generally have attorneys with years of experience and a track record of successful outcomes for their clients. A good way to learn about a firm’s reputation is to do some online research, which can reveal how many referrals they receive from satisfied past clients and what type of feedback their attorneys have received from their peers.

A good divorce attorney should be able to explain what your legal rights and options are in a clear, understandable manner. It’s also important to ask about how much their services will cost. Most attorneys bill by the hour, and they will typically provide a general idea of how many hours they expect to spend working on your case during your consultation. Some attorneys will also require a deposit, known as a retainer, to begin working on your case.

The final factor to consider is your comfort level with your potential attorney. You’ll be sharing intimate details about your relationship with your spouse with your lawyer, and you’ll need to trust them to keep that information confidential. You’ll also need to be able to communicate with your attorney easily and in a timely manner. This is why it’s helpful to look for an attorney who has a reasonable workload and can devote sufficient time to your case.