If you are contemplating divorce or have been served with divorce papers, this is one of the first questions to cross your mind. Unless you’ve been divorced before, it’s unlikely you have had any real experience with a lawyer who concentrates in that area of the law. So where to get started?
Most likely, given the divorce rate in Westport, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan and surrounding Fairfield County towns, you have friends and family who have been down this road before. Their stories range from text book to nightmare and their assessments of the lawyers involved runs a similar gamut.
Take a deep breath. There are some wonderful lawyers who practice Family Law, of which divorce is a part. They are dedicated to their clients and behave in a skillful and ethical manner. They exhibit a healthy balance of objectivity and compassion. This is the type of lawyer you should seek out.
If you’re willing to share some confidences, the most natural place to start is by asking a couple of trusted friends or colleagues who have successfully navigated the process in the past. It is important to bear in mind that each case is different and the results can vary widely. So don’t get married to a set of facts or outcomes, but rather try to get a feel for what attorney might be the best match for you.
If this isn’t an avenue available to you or if you want to be more discreet, the Internet is a tool you can use to find an attorney. But be careful! There are a lot of glitzy websites with lawyers promoting their services. Many of these list awards and recognition from various organizations but make sure to check further to determine their validity. For example, Martindale Hubbell is a well-regarded ranking firm that has historically assigned a rating system to lawyers and law firms, with “AV” being the top ranked. Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC and its two founding partners, have earned this AV distinction.
Many people will use the Internet to confirm referrals they have received from other people. Again, personal recommendations and experiences usually prove to be the best referrals, however it can be useful to gather all the information you can online.
Once you have narrowed down your list to one or more attorneys, you should call the office. At Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC you will initially be screened for any conflicts and then will be asked for a basic summary of your case. From there, an attorney will contact you– usually the same day, and will determine if it’s appropriate to set up an initial meeting.
You are entitled to interview as many attorneys as you wish but if you have done your research, you have probably narrowed it down to one or two, with whom you will want to meet. Once you choose an attorney, you will be “living with” that person for a long time, as many cases take a year or so to conclude. What that means is you have to trust your attorney and know that your voice will be heard. You need to have the utmost confidence in your attorney’s abilities, but also be able to discuss and respectfully challenge his or her advice from time to time. For that, you will need to have a healthy comfort level with your choice.
The attorneys at Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC are experienced in helping potential clients make sure that our firm is the right choice for them. Because we are one of the largest Family Law firms in Connecticut, we are able to offer a wide range of attorneys, which increases the chances that one or more will be the right for you. In every instance, we offer experienced, skillful, ethical and compassionate representation, qualities which every potential client should seek out when choosing an attorney.
