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SELECTING A
WASHINGTON DIVORCE LAWYER
A.
Introduction
Selecting a lawyer to represent you in your divorce is more than just
picking a name; it means establishing a close and sensitive relationship
that will continue for months and perhaps years. It is important to find
and hire the person who is right for you and your case.
B. Getting Names of Lawyers
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From
other professionals. Lawyers, accountants,
psychotherapists, members of the clergy and other professionals meet
and work with divorce lawyers in the course of their work and are
often a good source of referrals. Ask them for the names of family
law specialists with good credentials and reputations and whose
qualifications are most appropriate to your case. Lawyers, in
particular, are aware of the reputations of other lawyers, even
those outside their specialty, so a lawyer you already know and
trust can be an exceptionally good referral source. If you need a
divorce lawyer outside your geographical area, divorce lawyers in
your area often know who the best people are in other regions.
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From
organizations. Your state bar may have a process for
certifying family law specialists and may give you names. While
certification is no absolute assurance of quality, it usually
requires a certain proven level of experience, study, and interest
in the field. Certified specialists have usually passed an
examination in this area of the law. The American Academy of
Matrimonial Lawyers is an organization with a rigorous screening
procedure which admits only qualified specialists.
The American Bar Association and most local bar associations have
family law sections. Although any lawyer can join these sections
with no screening or testing, lawyers who belong may have a higher
level of interest and involvement in the field of family law than
those who don't.
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Referrals from other persons. You may have friends or
relatives who have gone through a divorce. They are a good source of
information about lawyers, with two qualifications. Every client and
every case is different, so it is difficult to evaluate the
performance of a lawyer in someone else's case. Also, the
lawyer-client relationship is highly personal. So while the
impressions of a former client about a lawyer are useful, you should
meet the lawyer and make your own judgment.
C. What to Look For
When asking for names of lawyers, when interviewing lawyers, and when
deciding which lawyer to hire, different things are important to
different people. For example, a person of limited means may be most
concerned about cost. Another person may require experience with a
certain type of family law problem. Decide what is important to you and
select accordingly.
Here are some criteria to consider:
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Cost
While local market conditions such as supply, demand and competition
determine in large part what lawyers charge, there can be a
significant variation in fees. Generally, better known, better
established lawyers charge more. The quality of representation you
get may or may not be worth the higher price they charge. There are
often highly skilled and experienced lawyers available who charge
less because they are not yet as well known and are therefore not in
such demand. A lawyer in this category can be an excellent value.
Even if cost is very important to you, it is false economy to reject
a referral because you are told that a lawyer charges for a first
consultation. Although some lawyers may give useful information and
advice in a free consultation, there is a chance that a lawyer who
is not charging for the time will treat the meeting more as a sales
session and not feel obligated to deal with substantive issues. Even
if your purpose is to interview the lawyer in order to help you
decide whom to hire, you will not learn enough about the lawyer
unless you talk about your case and hear what the lawyer really
thinks about it.
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Gender, age,
race, religion, national origin. Competent lawyers come in all
sizes, shapes, genders, colors, religions and ages. None of these
factors has anything to do with the lawyer's ability. Irrespective
of the lawyer's ability, your comfort level is important if the
relationship is to work. If you are inclined to hire a lawyer that
you feel a common background with, there is no reason why you
shouldn't. Just be sure you are not being swayed by stereotypes.
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Credentials. There are objective factors that may help you
evaluate the lawyer's professional competence and appropriateness
for your case. Although mere membership in professional
organizations may not mean a lot, active participation in the work
of the organization is one mark of a lawyer's involvement in the
specialty. Publishing articles, books and treatises on family law
and teaching other lawyers are even better indicators of experience,
competence and reputation. The length of time in practice, and the
amount of family law experience are also important criteria.
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Personal
compatibility You must feel comfortable with the lawyer you
hire if you are to work effectively together. If you are not
comfortable with a lawyer you interview, you should probably trust
your instinct and not hire that person, even if you cannot isolate
the cause of your discomfort. The relationship between lawyer and
client in a family law matter is especially important. You will be
telling the lawyer intimate facts of your life and the lawyer may
have to give you advice and information that you may not like. Be
sure the lawyer is one to whom you can talk and listen.
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Location
The location of the lawyer's office may or may not be important,
depending on the circumstances. Here are some things to consider.
It is a great benefit to be able to go conveniently to your lawyer's
office to meet and work on your case. And if the lawyer's office is
far from the courthouse, you may have to pay for the lawyer's travel
time. On the other hand, lawyers sometimes represent clients who
have never seen the lawyer's office, especially in large, sparsely
populated areas where it is common for lawyers to travel long
distances to court, to depositions, and to meetings.
D. Interviewing
Many people hire the first lawyer they meet. Others interview several
lawyers before deciding which one to hire. How many you interview may
depend on how much time you have, the urgency of your situation, how
many lawyers there are to choose from and how quickly you find one you
like.
Tell the lawyer about your situation. Take a list of your assets and
debts and sources of income with you. A copy of the last several years'
tax returns can also help speed the discussion and make it more
meaningful. A narrative or outline of the important events in your
relationship with your spouse can also be helpful.
Make a list of things you want to discuss and take it with you to the
interview. Ask questions. Then ask more questions. Listen carefully to
the answers and write them down. Review the answers later and think
about them. Listen not only to the information the lawyer gives you, but
also to the way it is presented. Think about how the lawyer related to
you. While a lawyer may be appropriately optimistic about your case, do
not hire a lawyer simply because that lawyer predicts a better outcome
than another lawyer.
Here are some questions you might ask:
• What is
likely to happen to me?
• How much
property will I get?
• How much
support will I get?
• How much
support will I have to pay?
• Do I have a
choice of courts?
• Does it make
a difference?
• Do you have
associates or paralegals?
• How do you
decide who does what work on my case?
• Are you
reachable by phone?
• If I call and
you aren't available, how is my call handled?
• How much do
you charge for travel time, secretarial time, photocopies, postage,
faxes, long distance calls, mobile phone calls, supplies, computer
use or anything else other than your time?
• What expenses
do you pay from the money I pay you and what do I have to pay
directly?
• Under what
circumstances would you refund all or part of my retainer fee?
• Do you have
any personal feelings about the positions you would have to take if
you represented me?
• How often are
you out of the office in court, at conventions, on vacation, and for
other things?
• How do you
cover my case at those times?
• How much do
you know about the judge who will decide my case if it goes to
trial?
• Do you think
we can work together?
• Will you be
available at the times that are convenient for me?
The free
information contained in these pages is not intended
to be legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You
should always consult with an attorney before taking any action. Feel free
to contact an attorney at MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, P.S. at 425-255-4542 to
schedule an appointment and discuss these issues with you.
Site Map
MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, Renton, Washington, 98057
Phone: (425) 255-4542
Our law firm is conveniently located in Renton, King County, WA, just off the freeway at the intersection of I-405 and I-167, easily accessible from Seattle and Bellevue Washington. Our
four family law and divorce attorneys represent clients in the greater Seattle area and throughout the State of Washington, including the communities of Renton, Kent, Tukwila, Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Fairwood,
Cascade, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Auburn, Maple Valley, Black Diamond,
Skyway, Federal Way, Des Moines, Kent Meridian, SeaTac, Factoria, Covington, Medina, Fox
Island, Gig Harbor, North Bend, Snoqualmie, Sammamish, Seahurst, Redondo, Enumclaw and most of south King County. Call 425-255-4542 for a free telephone consultation with an
experienced family law and divorce attorney / lawyer. Our attorneys represent both men and women in divorce
and the drafting of simple wills,
and are members of the Christian Legal Society. Our lawyers offer affordable rates
(reasonably priced) for uncontested divorce.
The free information and help contained in these
pages is not intended to be legal advice, and does not create an
attorney-client relationship. You should always consult with a lawyer before
taking any legal action. Feel free to call us at 425-255-4542 for a free
telephone consultation with a family law lawyer for help regarding your
marriage, divorce (contested or uncontested), custody, property division,
child support and maintenance, adoption, will, estate plan or
probate. We offer inexpensive (cheap) discount package deals and for our wills,
simple will and estate
planning documents. We offer a Christian perspective in our practice, yet
are aggressive in protecting your rights. Our attorneys are licensed to practice only in the State of Washington,
and are easily accessible to the greater Seattle area.
Serving both male and female clients in the Seattle, King County, WA area, including the communities of Kent, Renton, Tukwila, Southcenter, Seattle, Auburn, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Federal Way, Maple Valley, Des Moines, SeaTac, Burien, Fairwood,
Cascade, Covington, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Issaquah, Factoria, Algona, Covington, Fall City, Hobart, Medina, North Bend, Pacific,
Buckley, Highline, Newport Hills, Clyde Hill, Coal Creek, Fox
Island, Gig Harbor, White Center,
Boulevard Park, Rainier Beach, Rainier Valley, Bryn Mawr, Redondo, Covington, Kent Kangley,
Cougar Mountain, Preston, Ravensdale, Kanaskat, Palmer, Cumberland, Redondo,
Georgetown, Riverton Heights, McMicken Heights, Eastgate, Kennydale, Medina,
Overlake, Boeing, Microsoft, Paccar, Kenworth, East Renton Highlands, Preston, Kent East Hill, Lake Meridian,
Green River, Star Lake, Lake Sawyer, Duwamish, Seward Park, Columbia City, Georgetown, Holly Park, Sodo, Sammamish, Seahurst, Snoqualmie,
Soos Creek, Emerald Downs, Muckleshoot, Twin Lakes, Skyway,
Bellevue, Enumclaw and most of south King County, WA. This includes zip
codes of 98055, 98056, 98057, 98058, 98059, 98030, 98031, 98032 98042,
98040, 98045, 98168, and 98188, and area codes of 206, 253, and 425,
. We represent clients
from Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Weyerhaeuser, Valley Medical
Center, various hospitals and insurance companies, T-Mobile, and many other employers. We serve clients of all
nationalities and ethnicities, including African American, Native American,
Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian, black, Indian, Korean, Japanese,
Russian, Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander, Philippine, Irish, English, French, German, and Chinese.
We receive clients of all faiths and religions, including Christian, Islam,
Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Judaism, Baha'i, Scientology, Mormon, LDS Catholic, Protestant,
Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Foursquare,
Evangelical, Assembly of God, Jehovah Witness, Episcopal, Foursquare,
Lutheran, Bible, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Adventist, Unitarian, atheist, secularist, and agnostic. We also represent clients who are
members of labor unions (Teamsters, AFL-CIO, Teachers Union, NEA), unemployed or stay-at-home parents,
members of service organizations (Kiwanis, Lions, Masons, Rotary, Shriners,
AARP, etc), Democrat and Republican, veterans and military personnel. Please call to talk to an affordable
(inexpensive) Washington state family law attorney / lawyer for help about your divorce (contested or uncontested),
complex property division, simple wills, probate or other legal issue.
For other external web sites
regarding our firm, please visit
Findlaw,
Custody Source,
Martindale & Hubble,
Seattle.com,
WSBA,
Cornell .
Site Map
MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, Renton, Washington, 98057
Phone: (425) 255-4542
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Please call 425-255-4542 to
talk to a lawyer now.
