Tips for Choosing a Divorce Attorney by Murphy & Murphy Law

Divorce Attorney in Kaysville, UT

Tips for Choosing a Divorce Attorney

Tips for Choosing an Attorney for Divorce

Hiring a divorce attorney is one of your most important decisions. You want to be sure you’re hiring one who is experienced, great at communication, and has a proven track record of success in and out of court. At Murphy & Murphy Law, attorney Michael D. Murphy has over 25 years of experience as a divorce attorney in Kaysville, UT. He will fight tirelessly for your rights and guide you through the complexities of your Utah divorce proceedings. Whether you need an attorney for a contested or uncontested divorce, Murphy & Murphy Law can help. Call us today to schedule an initial consultation.

Research Local Divorce Attorneys

You should begin your search by researching local divorce attorneys. Ask your friends and family for recommendations, or search online forums or sites like Avvo, FindLaw, Martindale-Hubbel, the American Bar Association, the Utah State Bar Association, or LegalMatch. You will need an attorney with extensive experience in family law, specifically Utah family law. It’s best to find one with experience in contested and uncontested divorces. Look up each attorney on the Utah State Bar Association website to confirm they are licensed and don’t have any complaints or violations on file. Visit their websites or social media accounts to evaluate their education and experience. Read through reviews and customer testimonials to confirm they don’t have any red flags regarding their experience, education, performance, communication, skills, or billing practices.

Prepare a List of Important Questions

Next, schedule initial consultations with at least three different Utah divorce attorneys. A consultation gives you the chance to ask questions, evaluate their communication skills and personality, discuss their legal strategy, and determine if an attorney is a good fit for you. You should prepare a list of important questions in advance so you don’t forget to ask anything. Some questions to consider are:

What is your experience with Utah divorce cases?
Do you have experience with contested and uncontested divorces?
Do you charge by the hour or require a retainer?
What law school did you attend?
What credentials or awards have you received?
What is your legal strategy for my divorce case?
What is your communication process like?
What other people on your staff will be handling my case?
How are your fees structured?
What are your billing practices?
Can you explain the Utah divorce process to me?
Do you have experience handling custody issues and parenting disputes?
Do you have experience in paternity matters?
Will my case need to go to trial?
How long will the divorce proceedings last?
Who would you recommend as a divorce attorney to a friend or relative?
Can you recommend other professionals I will need throughout the case, like forensic accountants, therapists, custody and parenting experts, and more?
Do you have experience working with my partner’s divorce attorney?
What are my obligations during the divorce process?
What is a collaborative divorce, and should I consider it?
What is the difference between a contested and uncontested divorce?

Understand What Attorneys for Divorce Do

Your divorce attorney will defend you in court, protect your legal rights and assets, help you negotiate parenting time and custody, file motions and pleadings on your behalf, negotiate with your partner’s attorney, handle financial issues, gather and supply necessary documentation and forms to the court, and negotiate matters like alimony and spousal support. Your divorce attorney will not act as a marriage counselor or therapist. They will not tell you whether you should or shouldn’t get a divorce. They will do their best to ensure the divorce process goes smoothly and you get the representation you need to preserve your assets, home, and relationship with your children.

Maintain Realistic Expectations

Even the most experienced divorce attorneys are not miracle workers. They will give you the best possible chance of success but may not be able to get you every single stipulation you request. It is important to maintain realistic expectations throughout your divorce. A good divorce attorney will be honest and upfront about your chances and what to expect during each step of the process. Your attorney will help you reach your long-term and short-term goals, but will not be your friend, therapist, counselor, or spiritual advisor throughout the process.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce Attorneys

In Utah, you will either have a contested or uncontested divorce. If you and your partner agree on divorce and can settle all aspects of the divorce outside of court, it is considered an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse disagree on the division of assets or liabilities, child support, child custody or visitation, parenting rights, and other important issues, it is considered a contested divorce. This means you will need a contested divorce attorney. An uncontested divorce is much faster, simpler, and often less expensive than a contested divorce. You should hire an experienced attorney to represent you whether you have a contested or uncontested divorce.

Consider Your Budget

Finally, consider your budget for hiring an attorney for divorce proceedings. Some uncontested divorce attorneys charge flat-rate fees, but most attorneys either charge by the hour or require you to pay a retainer upfront before they even begin work. When you meet with potential attorneys for divorce, you should ask them about their fee schedules and billing processes, and find out if they can give you a general estimate of the cost of divorce in Utah. Typically, the amount your attorney charges for divorce representation will depend on the case’s complexity, how long it takes, whether children are involved, and whether you and your partner have significant assets or liabilities to divide up.

Retain the Best Divorce Attorney

If you’re looking for the best divorce attorney in Kaysville, UT, contact us today at Murphy & Murphy Law. Attorney Michael D. Murphy is committed to providing accessible, compassionate, aggressive, and honest legal services throughout your divorce proceedings. He will work closely with you to protect your legal rights and give you the best chance of a successful outcome for your divorce. Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule an initial consultation.