How to Choose a Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in Atlanta
Collaborative divorce is becoming increasingly popular in Atlanta. This method has the potential to be faster, cheaper, more private, and less stressful than a litigated divorce. But in order to experience these benefits, you first must choose an appropriate collaborative law attorney in Atlanta. How do you know whether your lawyer is even experienced or qualified enough to help you with a collaborative divorce?
Consider Their Experience Levels
According to the American Bar Association, Georgia may enforce various requirements before lawyers can even start helping spouses with collaborative divorces. These requirements may include at least 12 credit hours, including additional ethics and professionalism credits.
Lawyers may also choose to complete additional training to prepare themselves for the unique aspects of collaborative law. Generally speaking, spouses prefer working with lawyers who have as much collaborative law experience as possible.
That being said, lawyers should also have experience with the realities of contested or “litigated” divorces. Lawyers who understand the potential realities of litigation may be able to warn spouses of the cost of failing negotiations.
Assess the Lawyer’s Personality During an Initial Consultation
An initial consultation may be an ideal opportunity to gauge the lawyer’s personality. During this initial meeting, you can ask questions about their experience, their general philosophy toward collaborative divorce, and much more. You and your lawyer might also discuss a basic strategy for your divorce, especially if you bring income statements, tax returns, and other documents to your consultation.
Aside from allowing you to begin strategizing, a consultation also helps you determine whether you see yourself working with the lawyer. Remember, these negotiations can last for several months. Can you envision yourself working alongside this individual for the foreseeable future?
Do Some Research Into the Lawyer
Various online resources can help you collect even more information about the lawyer you’re considering. For example, you can check to see whether the lawyer has had any issues regarding misconduct in the past. You might also check the lawyer’s online reviews to see what other people are saying.
Consider Your Goals
When approaching collaborative divorce in Atlanta, it’s important to focus on your goals. If you want to achieve specific things, discuss these goals with your lawyer. It may be necessary to choose a lawyer with specific types of experience if you want to pursue certain outcomes. For example, you might want to keep hold of the family home – or perhaps you want to focus on child custody instead.
Should I Hire a Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in Atlanta?
Collaborative divorce isn’t for everyone, and you might need to consider your unique circumstances in order to determine whether this is truly the right path for you. If you do decide to go down this road, be sure to choose a collaborative law attorney in Atlanta who has the necessary experience to help you. Consider working with Buckhead Family Law, as we are extremely familiar with the ins and outs of collaborative divorce. Contact us today to get started.
Source:
americanbar.org/events-cle/mcle/jurisdiction/georgia/
