Your choice of divorce lawyer will either make or break the success of your settlement.

Don’t let the wrong choice turn your divorce into a disaster. The future of your children’s well being as well as your own depend on it.

1.) Finding a lawyer who knows what he’s doing should be your first priority.

This means that he should have had a good deal of experience in divorce cases. You are not to paying him to learn ‘the ropes’. You’re paying him to serve your best interests. More experience means more options at your disposal, which means getting what you want.

2.) When searching for a lawyer, your budget is a consideration that can’t be ignored. Find a lawyer that charges a flat fee rather than one that charges by the hour if cost is a major concern. Before hiring your lawyer, be aware of the services provided for by this fee.

3.) Contact several lawyers before making your final decision. You can get a list of potential candidates through advertisements, friends, family, referral services, support groups, and couples counselors. Other sources include professional directories, law schools, and bar associations. Even a local courthouse can provide you with names.

4.) From the list of candidates, choose a number of these to call up for a free consultation over the phone. Make an appointment with the one that seems to best meet your needs. If this doesn’t work out, make appointments with some of the other candidates.

5.) Find out how long the candidate has been a lawyer and how much of that experience is in the field of domestic relations. Is this person a certified specialist in the field?

6.) Ask for a sample bill and get an estimate of the total cost of your case.

7.) Ask for references from former clients.

The selection process can be a lot of work, but it will pay off.