There are a lot of lawyers in Jupiter, and Palm Beach County. Narrow it down to your area of need, divorce or family law, and there are STILL a lot of attorneys in Jupiter!
So how do you go about finding the right one for you?
Here are some tips on How to Find the Right Divorce Lawyer in Jupiter:
1. Get a Referral.
Chances are you know someone (or several people) who have gotten a divorce or needed help with a family law issue in Jupiter. Talk to them about their experience with their attorney. Ask questions like:
- Who was their attorney?
- What did they charge?
- What did your friend like most about the attorney?
- What did they not like about the attorney?
- Did they feel like the attorney was accessible? Knowledgeable? Experienced? Compassionate? Ethical?
- Did they feel like their concerns were heard and addressed?
- What was the outcome?
2. Interview some Attorneys.
This is a big deal. Not only is hiring a divorce attorney an expensive ordeal, but chances are your life could be drastically different depending on the outcome of your case. There’s no reason you can’t spend a little extra time shopping around.
Make sure you’re comfortable with the lawyer’s qualifications, experience, and track record, but also trust your gut instincts. Go with someone you feel comfortable entrusting your case to, and confident he or she will be in your corner and vigorously advocate for your rights. You’re most likely going to be dealing with this person for a while, so it had better be someone you like.
One of the most important aspects of having a lawyer is someone who is accessible and available. Ask the lawyer what their office policy is on returning calls or emails. It’s also not unreasonable to ask the attorney for a list of references – former clients – you can contact to ask about their experience with that attorney.
3. Stick with a Specialist.
Divorce attorneys have to graduate law school and have to pass the Florida Bar Exam. While those are significant achievements, that doesn’t automatically make them an expert in every aspect of Florida law.
Don’t choose an attorney to handle your divorce simply because your best friend used them for her bankruptcy case and recommended them. (And be wary of any non-divorce specialist accepting your case!)
Select an attorney who specializes in divorce and family law in the Jupiter area. They should be familiar with the judges and what they expect, other attorneys, court procedure, case law and statutory law, and all the many documents that need to be filed.
If you have any questions about how to find the right divorce lawyer for you, give us a call. We are happy to answer all your questions!
George Gelb has been practicing divorce and family law in Jupiter and the surrounding areas for over 35 years. He is a former Assistant Attorney General, was selected Palm Beach & Martin County’s Top Lawyers, and voted a Florida SuperLawyer.