When you are looking for a solicitor to help you with your divorce, it is important to be able to identify what makes a good advocate for the ending of your marriage, as opposed to choosing an individual who may be more detrimental to it.
At such a sensitive time, you will need someone who is experienced in handling divorces but is also compassionate, and understands that this process is going to be emotionally draining for you. While many solicitors who specialise in divorce state that they have all of these qualities, how do you separate the top solicitors from ones who should be avoided?
At Prentice Family Law, all of our divorce solicitors in Guildford receive regular training in the area of divorce, such as negotiation tactics, sensitivity training and of course, law based qualifications taking into account governmental changes. We pride ourselves on offering our clients the best experience possible at such a tough time and will aim to reduce your stress as much as possible.
But, when you are searching for suitable divorce solicitors in Guildford, what should you enquire about to find the perfect professional to represent you? Read on to find out.
Qualifications
Like most things that involve legal advice, you will first need to ask about qualifications. Our divorce solicitors in Guildford all have extensive training and qualifications in law, family law, mediation and divorce procedures.
During your shortlisting, any solicitor who does not have a qualification in your subspeciality should be avoided, regardless of the area you need help with.
Specific expertise
It may seem financially wiser to choose a solicitor with a subspecialty in family or divorce law, but in the long-term, this may end up costing you more.
When looking for a solicitor to navigate your divorce, always ensure that they are trained in both family and divorce law and that they have experience of the real world process of divorce and mediation.
Communication
As with most areas of life, communication is key to success.
When drawing up a shortlist, take note of the solicitors who answer questions directly using jargon-free language and who offer you ways of contacting them if you have any further questions. If a solicitor is evasive and vague, they are best avoided. Also, if you begin the divorce process with one solicitor who fails to respond to emails or telephone calls in a reasonable time, it would be wise to switch to a different legal professional.
Reviews
The internet is a great place to search for reviews related to your shortlisted solicitors.
However, a top tip is to avoid searching for reviews on their legal firm’s website and look through independent reviews on a search engine. This will give you an unbiased look at how the solicitor operates and whether they are professional towards their clients.
Sensitivity
Divorce is hard and at such an emotional time, you will want a solicitor who understands that.
Look for solicitors who ask you direct, relevant questions but offer compassion with each step.