If you are preparing to go through a divorce, your choice of Baltimore divorce lawyer matters. Having a good attorney can drastically impact both the divorce process itself and the outcome of the proceedings.
The lawyers at The Bishop Law Group understand what a difficult time this may be for you and your family. Our attorneys are committed to protecting your best interests in a divorce with compassion and integrity.
7 Key Factors for Finding a Good Divorce Lawyer in Maryland
1. A Focus on Divorce and Family Law Matters
Maryland’s divorce laws are complicated, and navigating the divorce process successfully requires an intimate understanding of all of the various issues involved. As a result, it is important to choose a lawyer who focuses on representing clients in divorce and family law matters. This doesn’t necessarily need to be the lawyer’s only focus—many divorce lawyers handle personal injury claims and other matters for the clients as well—but you definitely want a lawyer for whom handling divorces is a significant portion of his or her practice.
2. A Team of Experienced Legal Professionals
While you should expect to work with your lawyer one-on-one for most aspects of your divorce, there are certain steps in the process that don’t require a lawyer’s background—or a lawyer’s hourly rate. By choosing a law firm with a team of experienced legal professionals, you can feel confident knowing that both (i) your divorce is in good hands, and (ii) you are not incurring unnecessary legal fees.
3. Local Law Offices Where You Can Meet in Confidence
There are several benefits to choosing a local divorce lawyer. One of these benefits is the ability to meet with your lawyer at his or her offices in confidence. For example, if you live in the Mount Washington or Greenspring area, you don’t necessarily want to have to make arrangements to go downtown for a 30 or 60-minute meeting. Or, if you live in Ocean City, you definitely don’t want to have to drive hours to get across the Chesapeake Bay. While your divorce lawyer should be able to handle most aspects of your representation remotely, it is good to be able to meet with your lawyer in person in the event that it makes sense to do so.
4. Testimonials from Satisfied Clients
One of the best ways to choose a good divorce lawyer is by reading testimonials from past clients. If several past clients have taken time out of their busy lives to write some kind words or post a positive review, this is generally a good sign. Positive ratings on lawyer rating sites like Avvo.com are a good sign as well.
5. Accessibility, Flexibility, and Transparency
When going through a divorce, you cannot afford to wait days to hear back from your lawyer. You need your lawyer to be accessible, and you need your lawyer to be flexible so that you don’t have to try to deal with your divorce while you are working from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You should be able to schedule appointments on weekends, and you should be able to get in touch by phone 24/7.
Transparency is key as well. Before you hire a Baltimore divorce lawyer to represent you, you should receive a clear explanation of the costs and fees you will incur. There should be no surprises in this regard. If a lawyer is not forthcoming when you ask how much your divorce is likely to cost, this likely means he or she knows the answer is not what you want to hear.
6. A Commitment to Helping You as Cost-Effectively as Possible
Your first step in choosing a lawyer is to schedule an initial consultation. During this consultation, it should be clear that the lawyer is committed to helping you as cost-effectively as possible. You should have no doubt that the lawyer has your best interests in mind, and he or she should discuss options for achieving a favorable outcome without resorting to costly and time-consuming litigation.
7. A Willingness and the Ability To Protect Your Interests By All Means Available
While litigating a divorce is generally an option of last resort, your lawyer should be prepared to litigate if necessary. If your spouse’s divorce lawyer knows that your lawyer will shy away from going to court, your spouse’s divorce lawyer will use this to your spouse’s advantage.
Schedule an Initial Consultation with a Baltimore Divorce Lawyer
The skilled attorneys at The Bishop Law Group have decades of combined experience protecting clients’ interests in divorce negotiations, mediation, and litigation.
If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys in confidence, we invite you to call (410) 390-3101 or get in touch online to arrange an initial consultation. We serve clients in Baltimore, Ocean City, and other areas in Maryland.
