Finding Your Way: Tips for Choosing the Best Divorce Lawyers in Grand Rapids MI

Here at the offices of Sean Patrick Cox, we’ve spearheaded numerous divorce cases with resounding success. Perhaps this is why we are the first name that pops up when someone in Michigan googles ‘best divorce lawyers near me’.

So, trust us when we tell you that most folks have no idea where to look when they are facing a possibly stressful divorce. Divorce can significantly impact your life, the peace of your family, and your finances. Therefore, it is in your best interest to find the best divorce lawyers for the job.

In Grand Rapids, MI, divorce lawyers that you can count on are a dime a dozen. Fortunately, you can find a reliable lawyer to handle your case by following a few tips that we are about to share with you in this article.

So, without much further ado, let’s dive in.

Tips to find the Best Divorce Lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI.

1. Be Clear About Your Goals

Before you venture out in search of a good divorce lawyer, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of what goals you wish to accomplish. Each divorce case is unique. What you want out of your divorce proceeding will differ from similar proceedings that others are going through.
A divorce will revolve around the following elements

•   Property Division
•   Child Custody
•   Asset Protection
•   Spousal Support
•   Visitation Rights.

Let’s say, you wish to win the custody of your child. We suggest opting for a lawyer who has handled cases centered on child custody in the past. Once you know what goals you wish to achieve, finding a divorce lawyer becomes all the simpler.

2. Research a Candidate’s Credentials

During your search, you’ll come across a sizeable list of lawyers to assist you. You can start shortlisting the candidates by assessing each lawyer’s credentials. To verify their credentials thoroughly, pay heed to the following components

•   Their state bar association membership
•   Education and training
•   Specialization in family law.

You can easily obtain all the above information by visiting the attorney’s official site or directly contacting the State Bar of Michigan.

3. Seek References

Seeking recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues can be a great way to find a divorce lawyer you can count on. If someone close to you has gone through a divorce proceeding before, they can point you in the right direction based on their own lived experience.

4. Online Reviews and Testimonials

This is perhaps one of the most effective and convenient ways of finding good Grand Rapids divorce lawyers. Thanks to the advent of the internet, everyone shares the experiences they’ve just had with a particular service and legal firms are no exception.

You’ll find a myriad of reviews on Google left behind by past clients. Besides Google reviews, you can also refer to some testimonials left behind by the clients of a particular lawyer or law firm on such an entity’s official website. If a lawyer has a substantial number of positive reviews to their name, those are folks you need to get in touch with as soon as possible.

5, Schedule a Consultation

Once you’ve shortlisted the names of potential divorce lawyers, we suggest immediately scheduling a consultation with them. This consultation can be over the phone, the internet, or face-to-face. This consultation is your opportunity to ask the divorce lawyer some important questions. You can assess whether they are best suited to handle your case based on their answers.
When you are in these meetings, we suggest paying heed to the following

•   Pay close attention to how they communicate. Assess how attentive or interested they are in your case. Also, carefully gauge how they respond to your questions.
•   It is possible that the lawyer may suggest a few strategies to move forward. You’ll need to assess the viability and feasibility of this strategy.
•   We would also advise assessing your own comfort level when consulting the lawyer. Determine how comfortable the lawyer makes you feel. Only move forward if you feel fine discussing personal matters with the attorney.
•   Finally, discuss the fee structure. You need full transparency from the lawyer in these matters. Make sure the lawyer is clear about their payment plans and any additional costs that may be applicable to your case.

6. Availability

Your divorce proceeding is more than likely to be intense. As such, you’ll need legal counsel that is accessible at all times. Many lawyers simply do not have the bandwidth to lend you their time. You want a lawyer that’s available to you and isn’t buried in a heavy caseload.

If you have a lawyer who’s managing multiple cases at once, we suggest moving on to the next potential candidate. You want a Grand Rapids, Michigan Divorce Lawyer who can spearhead your case with the attention and dedication it deserves.

7. Mediation Skills

Mediation is something most lawyers recommend. It is the most cost-effective and time-efficient way to resolve a divorce case. However, successful mediation is only possible if you have a lawyer who can communicate aggressively while being eloquent at the same time. So, pay attention to how your lawyer talks. You need a lawyer who’s an expert communicator.

A good communicator will have no issue negotiating with the other party on your behalf in order to resolve conflict and yield the results you seek. Such lawyers will save you a lot of time and money.

8. Local Knowledge

Divorce laws vary from state to state. As you are in Grand Rapids, MI, divorce lawyers who are privy to the divorce laws specific to the state of Michigan are your best bet.

Look for lawyers who have substantial experience handling divorce cases in and outside Michigan’s courts. These lawyers will have a better understanding of how certain judges operate and how the local court system works. They can use their local knowledge to craft a legal strategy that serves your best interests.

9. Ethical Considerations

Finally, it is imperative you choose a lawyer who puts him or herself to higher ethical standards. We suggest checking with the State Bar Association of Michigan to verify whether your lawyer of choice has even faced disciplinary action.

Working with a lawyer who adheres to the highest ethical standards will provide you with the peace of mind necessary to navigate through the complex divorce proceeding.

Conclusion

If you wish for a positive outcome out of your divorce case, working with a seasoned divorce attorney is non-negotiable. While finding that one lawyer from a plethora of options in Michigan can be challenging, all you have to do is follow the tips we’ve mentioned above to find legal representation you can trust.
Alternatively, you can skip all of the above tips and simply get in touch with the law firm of Sean Patrick Cox. Often popping up at the very top of Google when you type – ‘best divorce lawyers near me.’, the name Sean Patrick Cox is widely revered and recognized in Grand Rapids, MI.

We are home to a seasoned team of divorce lawyers who possess the insight and expertise necessary to handle both contentious and non-contentious divorce proceedings.

Call us now for a free initial meeting.