When you’re looking for a divorce lawyer in New Mexico, you probably already have some idea of what to do for a successful search. Checking online reviews, asking family and friends, and vetting the attorney with your local bar association are all solid pieces of advice that everyone has heard before.
However, finding the right attorney is crucial for the best possible outcome in your case and for your experience during it, too. On top of reading reviews, checking out family and friend recommendations and verifying an attorney’s license and history with the area bar association, here are a few more steps to take to ensure you’re finding the ideal attorney match for your case.
Interview More Than One Attorney
You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving more than one model, and that’s usually true even if you love the first car you test drive. This is because you want to know what all of your options are before you make a commitment. The same line of thought applies to selecting your divorce attorney, which is why you shouldn’t pick the very first one you meet.
Many divorce attorneys should offer a brief telephonic consultation before the paid, more detailed, consultation, so the only thing you can lose by interviewing multiple attorneys is a bit of your time. Prices, experience, case approaches, style, and manner will vary among attorneys, so it’s crucial you take the time to find the person you feel confident in and trust to handle your case correctly. It will be a very expensive and distressing waste of time if you discover you went with the wrong attorney in the middle of your case.
Be Mindful of False Promises
Get to know the attorney at your consultation, and be prepared to explain the details of your case. Ask your attorney for a realistic projections of the potential outcomes of your case.
Of course, no attorney can guarantee or promise any specific outcome in your divorce. However, based on their experiences, they should be able to give you an idea of how your case may play out based on the information you provided. Be wary of any attorney who promises you specific things will happen in your case, and also avoid an attorney who seems to have no idea about how your case could play out given the facts; this could be due to a genuine lack of experience.
Consider the Location
Selecting an attorney who is close to your work or home is usually recommended. It’s also good if they have a location near the courthouse where your case will be heard. You’ll save money on gas and time when your attorney is relatively near you, and you may save in legal fees when the attorney does not have to spend a longer time traveling to court to do something for your case.
Of course, geography is a consideration but not a deal-breaker during your search. If you find that the attorney for you isn’t near your home, work, or the courthouse, their expertise can be worth the additional time and cost associated with travel.
Your attorney will influence how your divorce plays out and how you feel during it, so it’s important you take the time necessary to locate the best fit for your case. In addition to considering the points above, gauge your comfort level with an attorney when you meet with them. You will need to discuss sensitive personal issues with your attorney and trust them to handle those areas of your life, so it’s vital you are comfortable with them as a person and confident in their skills as an attorney.