Best Divorce Attorney in Atlantic County

When you are going through a divorce in Atlantic County you want the best divorce attorney in Atlantic County.  Unfortunately, your spouse also wants the best divorce attorney in Atlantic County.  Is the answer to Google the "best divorce attorney in Atlantic County"?  In all likelihood this will secure you the attorney that spends the most money on advertising and internet Search Engine Optimization.  Speaking with 35 years experience in Family Law, I have found no relationship between an attorney's advertising budget and his or her ability.

So how do you find the best divorce attorney to protect your best interests?

First, you want an ethical and honest attorney.  The first stop should be to check the Office of Attorney Ethics, Discipline report, kept from 1984 to present. The reports can be found here. Once you have opened the file, the easiest way to find an attorney's name is to select "Ctrl + F" on your keyboard and then type in the last name of the attorney you are considering.  If the attorney you are considering has a discipline history it should appear.

Second, prior to retaining an attorney you should communicate with them, outlining the facts of your case and discussing the timeline and mechanics of the process.  You should discuss the retainer, hourly rate and secure an estimate of the cost associated with bringing your matter to a suitable conclusion.  In New Jersey the Office of Attorney Ethics has an Arbitration program to hear cases involving fee disputes between clients and their attorneys.   The Arbitrators are volunteer based appointments.  I did volunteer as an Arbitrator in this program, and although it applies to all types of legal claims, I found a majority of the fee disputes were between matrimonial attorneys and their clients.  In many cases, I found the genesis of the problem was a lack of communication.   Before retaining an attorney, based on your communication, you should feel like you have a clear understanding of what to expect (fees and services) in the divorce process from beginning to the end.

Third, you should evaluate the attorney's experience.  This evaluation can start with years of experience and the quality of education, but should also include evaluating your prospective attorney's dispute resolution skills as well as his or her litigation skills.  You should attempt to find an attorney who can facilitate a reasonable plan to resolve disputed parenting plans and economic issues in an proficient and cost effective manner.

So how do you find the best divorce attorney?  Choose one that is honest, ethical and experienced in dispute resolution and litigation. You will know you have made the right decision if the decision  alleviates some of the stress associated with the divorce process, as you should feel confident that you have a partner to guide you through the process.