Compile a list of attorneys near you. Ask friends for referrals, check the phone directory, and contact the New Jersey Bar Association. After you have made a satisfactory list, start calling each attorney.
Initially, you will need to ask whether the lawyers you are contacting have experience in family law. This will help you narrow down the names on your list. Remember that in New Jersey, any licensed lawyer can represent divorce cases, but not all of them will have the experience you desire. Additionally, if you have children, you will need to make sure that they are capable of handling this area of your case as well.
Once your list has been shortened, make appointments for consultations. Treat the consultations as an interview. Make a list of questions you want to ask and topics you want to cover. You need to ask about what experience each attorney has and if they hold any special certifications. For example, a certification can be awarded by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
The lawyers that you talk with should not use a large amount of legal jargon, at least not without explaining what they are referring to. You should discuss what each one charges, avoiding those that only charge flat rates for every single client. While you will not be able to get an exact amount of what it will cost you in the end, you should learn what their hourly and retainer fees are, as well as anything else that you may get charged for during the course of your case.
Any attorney in New Jersey can handle divorce cases, but it is often better to have one that deals only with family law. The best attorneys do not promise or guarantee a specific outcome. In New Jersey, it is required by law for attorneys to have clients sign a fee agreement, so make sure this is done and you agree to the fees described. Also, steer clear of attorneys who tell you what to do. Your attorney should give you options and let you decide.
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