Hiring Divorce Lawyer in 2021: What You Need to Know

By  //  June 25, 2021

Are you contemplating divorce? If yes, there is a good chance you are overwhelmed with the huge amount of information available to you, particularly on the internet. It is no surprise that in today’s internet-driven world, there are countless self-help websites, legal advisor sites, and blogs available to you.

But what would happen if you implement the wrong advice and make a big mistake when filing for your divorce? What if you cannot interpret divorce laws and probably lose your rights to marital assets during your divorce? 

Although the court will not require you to hire a divorce lawyer Toronto, sometimes, it may be the best way to protect your rights and interests in divorce. Here’s what you should know when hiring a divorce. 

Hire an experienced lawyer

Before you hire any divorce lawyer, ensure he or she has considerable experience in handling divorce cases in Toronto or your location. An experienced Toronto divorce lawyer will have a better idea about various expectations from the judges in the jurisdiction and may have the ability to use that information to your benefit. This may not be the case if you hire a personal injury lawyer to help you handle various aspects of a divorce-related case. 

Besides, the lawyer should practice majorly in family law or specialize in divorce law. You can search “family lawyer near me” so you can also consult what best to do If you are going through a particular situation, it is important to look for a divorce lawyer who has outstanding experience in handling such divorce cases.

Get recommendations from family and friends

If you have relatives or friends who have been through a separation or divorce, they likely have reliable divorce lawyer recommendations. You can also use the internet to do your own research. There are different online resources aimed at helping Canadians find lawyers. Once you find a lawyer in your area, be sure to visit his or her website for detailed information about their scope of practice.

The specific lawyer you choose must have extensive experience in family law, particularly parenting responsibilities, divorce, and other top aspects of family law. Pay attention to whether or not the lawyer can handle the following issues: parenting arrangements, property division, spousal maintenance (or spousal support), mediated settlement agreements, and more.

Ask the right questions

Before you hire a lawyer, you should feel comfortable enough to speak to the lawyer concerning various aspects of your household situation. Here are some of the important questions you should ask before you hire a divorce lawyer. 

■ What’s involved in the entire divorce process, and how long is it likely to last?

■ What percentage of your legal practice is really devoted to divorce-related cases?

■ How many family law-related cases have you tried?

■ Do you have experience handling parenting arrangement cases?

■ How much of my separation or divorce case will you handle?

■ Do you provide mediation or alternative out-of-the-court dispute resolutions?

■ What’s the estimated cost of your divorce law-related services?

The lawyer’s response to these questions will help you know something about their experience, whether or not they’re available to handle your case, how much they will charge you, and more. Hire a divorce lawyer who will prioritize your rights and interests during separation or divorce.