How do I choose a divorce lawyer?

Let’s face it, it’s really tricky to know where to start with this. In the wake of the breakdown of a marriage you will almost certainly be given that standard advice – go to see a solicitor. Most people don’t really have cause to instruct solicitors other than when buying or selling houses, or drawing up their will, so this can feel like a daunting prospect. In this blog we explain where to start.

It is always worth asking around for recommendations. Without one though, most people will start with Google, typing in the question at the start of this blog. Have a look at the firms that come up, consider their websites, and try to get a feel for the firms you find and whether you like the look of them. Ideally, you should look for a firm of solicitors with a “Family Team” – a team that specialises in only family work. You may find firms who specialise in only family work. Be aware though, that means if you want to update your Will or sell your property, which you may well do in the context of divorce, you will need to go to a different firm for that.

Once you have found a firm or firms you like the look of, you need to get in touch with them. This can be by phone, or sometimes via a website chat facility which allows you to message instantly with your details and start the ball rolling, like Franklins does. Quite soon after your initial enquiry though you should be speaking with a real person. Most firms offer an initial meeting, with no obligation to instruct after that. Here at Franklins we offer an initial fixed fee appointment for £195.

Before you speak with anyone though, give some serious thought to the kind of solicitor and firm that you want to work with. You should be trying to get a feel for:

• Attitude – from the moment you start speaking with people at the firm, whether that be the receptionist, the senior partner or the solicitor who would be taking on your matter, try to get a feel for their attitude and whether you feel they represent the right “fit” for you and your family;
• Approach – legal knowledge should be a given – you need to try to get a feel for how your matter will be handled. Most people want to keep things amicable and an aggressive approach is one that can cause problems many years after the legalities have been dealt with. Ask the solicitor why they practice family law and what motivates them and why you should instruct them instead of someone else;
• Affordability – you will want to understand the basis for charges both for the initial meeting and onwards – and overall what the costs are expected to be for what you need the firm to do for you; and
• Aim – a good family solicitor should be able to advise in your first meeting what you should be aiming for, and how you might get there. In time, you will need to go into more detail but if you provide a summary of your financial circumstances there is no reason why an experienced family solicitor should be reluctant to advise in your initial meeting on what are, and are not, going to be important factors when looking at your family finances and how they can be divided.

At the beginning it can all feel rather overwhelming. Remember though that this will be all in a day’s work for the solicitor you instruct and that first contact and first meeting is not going to be nearly as awful as you think if you instruct the right firm and right solicitor.

If you feel Franklins might be the right firm to help you with your divorce, please contact our Family Law team on 01604 828282 / 01908 660966 or email info@franklins-sols.co.uk