Seeing Through the Advertising Game

Finding the right attorney is a daunting task, right up there with the prospect of divorce itself. There are ‘one stop shop’ attorneys who practice many areas of law. There are attorneys who have built a reputation for toughness, being the best ‘arguer’ in town. There are others that believe you don’t need attorneys at all. On this, I assure you, very few couples fall into this last category.
Believe it or not, your attorney is a reflection of the type of divorce you are about to embark on. Not all divorces need to be amicable, however, beginning the process with an attorney who says that they are the toughest around says something very clear, and only you can decide if that message is the right fit for a family already going through a difficult time.
One thing that doesn’t make for a good lawyer, is a mean streak. Being harsh and cold is almost always counter-productive for all parties involved. While it may play well in an advertisement for other practice areas, it doesn’t always translate into a good outcome for the paying client.
In addition, while attorneys can practice in more than one area of law, I have found that those who focus on one particular area simply know their field the best. Attorneys who primarily practice family law/divorce, know the judges, the other divorce attorneys and have the most up to date and relevant case knowledge.
Googling “best or toughest divorce attorney” may only help you find the attorneys with the best paid placement, not necessarily the best skills. There is no substitute for word of mouth when it comes to hiring an attorney. Ironically, some recent divorcees may refer you to their former spouse’s attorney because they were more effective.
At your initial consultation, bring a list of questions. These are basic and easy to find online, so I am going to suggest questions you should ask yourself after your first consultation.
-Did you feel comfortable opening up to them?
-Did you feel intimidated?
-Were they a good listener, or did they spend the entire time singing their own praises?
-Did you feel as though they will take a practical approach to your case? A practical but more expensive attorney is better than a cheaper attorney with no clear game plan.
-Did they tell you anything you did not want to hear? This is actually a good thing! Attorneys do you a disservice if they only tell you what you want to hear. In a divorce case, there is always going to be information that you do not want to hear. You need to hear it. Unrealistic expectations serve no purpose other than to generate attorney fees.
Trust your gut. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Tough love works, tough for the sake of saying you have a ‘tough’ attorney only benefits one person, and often that person isn’t you.
For more information and to schedule your consultation, please call The Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com. Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorney’s with over 25 years of experience and local service and a 2021/2022 Super Lawyer.