Divorce is a difficult process for everyone involved. While there is no way to make it painless, you can greatly reduce the stress by working with an experienced attorney.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key considerations when selecting a divorce and child custody attorney in Tennessee:
Table of Contents
Experience and Expertise
When choosing a divorce attorney, you should look for someone with experience and expertise in your area of need. For example, if you’re looking for representation in child custody matters in Murfreesboro, consider an attorney who has handled similar cases before.
According to FindLaw, child custody law in Tennessee allows for joint custody with grandparents’ visitation rights. The state also considers the child’s wishes while considering custody decisions. A lawyer in Tennessee will have to give to the court in writing why joint or solo custody is in the best interest of the child.
Your lawyer’s experience with similar cases will help ensure that they’ll be able to provide the best possible representation for your situation.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are essential to building a strong relationship with your lawyer. Good communication means that you can ask questions, get answers and feel like your lawyer is working for you. A good divorce attorney will listen carefully to what you have to say and give thoughtful responses that reflect their understanding of the situation.
If there’s any chance that negotiations or mediation could happen during this process, then also it’s vital that both parties feel comfortable talking with one another while they’re negotiating terms.
Availability
The attorney’s availability to you, your children, and your spouse is an important consideration. You want an attorney who will be available during emotional times and able to be there for you when needed.
While it may seem like a small detail, it can make all the difference in getting through this difficult process.
The same goes for the court. If your case involves child custody or visitation rights, having an attorney available when needed will help ensure that everything runs smoothly according to plan.
Reputation
As you know, reputation is everything in the legal profession. A good divorce attorney will have a solid reputation in his or her community and among other professionals in that field in your town and city.
For example, if you’re looking for someone who has experience handling child custody issues in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, then it would be wise to narrow down your search by location before even reading through profiles of individual lawyers or firms.
Searching for attorneys in Murfreesboro, TN, with experience dealing with family law matters will give you better representation than any law firm or an independent attorney from another location.
Cost
According to Money, the cost of getting a divorce will vary depending on the complexity of the case, its location, and whether the divorce is contested. A contested divorce will likely cost more than an uncontested divorce. Having kids, court appearances, and the number of hearings will also add to the cost of divorce.
The following factors will help you evaluate how much an attorney charges:
- The hourly rate of their practice
- Whether they charge for time spent on research, writing motions and briefs, or other tasks related to your case
- Whether there are any additional fees (such as filing fees)
Knowledge of Tennessee Law
Statista says the divorce rate in Tennessee in 2020 was 3.2 per 1000 people. This is a considerable decrease from 1990, when the divorce rate was 6.5 for every 1000 people. The state has seen a steady decline in divorce cases since the early 2010s.
If you’re going through a divorce or child custody case in Tennessee, it’s important to know that each state has its laws and regulations. If you don’t know what the law says in your state, it can be difficult to understand what’s happening with your case.
To make sure that you are represented by someone who knows Tennessee law inside and out, ask them about:
- What are my rights under this particular statute?
- How does this apply to my situation?
Negotiating Skills
Negotiation skills are essential in every aspect of life, but they’re particularly crucial when it comes to divorce and child custody. While you may be tempted to hire an attorney who specializes in aggressive tactics and litigation, there are better approaches than this.
Instead, consider hiring a lawyer who has extensive experience negotiating settlements out of court and knows how to get what you want without having to go through all the hassle of court proceedings.
Negotiations can be difficult because there are often many different issues that need to be addressed at once, like child support payments, property division, and spousal support payments (alimony). Negotiating these issues requires patience, as well as communication skills so that both sides feel heard by each other during negotiations.
Conclusion
Divorce is a difficult and emotional process, but you must find the right attorney to help guide you through it. The best way to do this is by asking questions and getting as much information as possible before deciding who will represent you in court or mediation sessions.
Keep in mind that not all attorneys are created equal. Some have years of experience handling divorce cases, while others may only specialize in child custody matters or property division issues.
It’s important that whoever you choose can handle all aspects of your case because if not, then there could be serious consequences for both parties involved.