Most top divorce attorneys would define divorce as the legal dissolution of a marriage. Separating from your spouse is a decision no one takes lightly. When a relationship doesn’t work out, divorce is the only effective solution left. The process of divorce itself can turn your life upside down.

Without a good lawyer by your side, the entire divorce process can have devastating consequences on your life. We are talking about severe emotional and financial hits one can hardly recover from. In such circumstances, a divorce lawyer is perhaps the only ally that can help you navigate through the mess.

When it comes to divorce, nothing short of a reputable and seasoned lawyer will suffice. Such a lawyer will:

  • Help you navigate through the entire divorce process from start to finish
  • Take care of legal paperwork on your behalf
  • Mediate with the other party to reach an amicable settlement
  • Help you avoid mistakes that can harm your case.
  • Use their knowledge of the legal system to serve your best interests
  • Investigate the other party to help you win the case.

You increase your chances of winning a divorce case with a good family law attorney. That said, how do you find a successful lawyer to represent you?

As home to top divorce lawyers in Grand Rapids, MI, this is a subject we at The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox can enlighten you on. This article includes invaluable insight collected from the best divorce lawyers in Grand Rapids.

So, without much further ado, allow us to shed light on 5 indicators that one should look out for to find a successful lawyer nearby.

1. Thorough Understanding of Family Law

Family law covers all issues and disputes that pertain to divorce, child custody, marriage, property inheritance, etc. The law basically entails guidelines that can be leveraged to achieve a fair and equitable outcome for the parties involved in such disputes. For divorce lawyers to be successful, they must possess an intricate knowledge of family law.

A thorough understanding of Family Law can only be attained with experience. Make sure the lawyer or law firm you hire has a positive track record of representing clients in matters concerning family law such as divorce and child custody.

The attorney you hire must especially be privy to the divorce laws and regulations that are specifically followed in the state you reside in. For instance, if you are seeking legal representation from a family law attorney in Grand Rapids, then make sure they are privy to the laws and regulations specific to the state of Michigan.

Remember, laws change from time to time. A good family lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI, will keep themselves updated on these changes to ensure there is proper legal compliance on your behalf. When you Google – ‘best family law attorney near me’, just keep this fact in mind.

2. Excellent Communication Skills

When it comes to lawyers, communication skills are fundamental. A divorce proceeding, in particular, will entail a lot of back-and-fourths between the two parties. You want a lawyer that is articulate, eloquent, and confident with his speech. They must be polite and concise when negotiating an amicable settlement with the other party’s legal team. On the other hand, they must be sharp and aggressive when representing you in court.

When talking to you, the divorce attorney should be willing to patiently sit down with you to listen to your side. You’d want a good listener who carefully takes your wants and desires into consideration. One of the things that makes The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox a trusted family law firm in Grand Rapids, MI, is the fact that we harbour a Grand Rapids divorce attorney who’s a good listener and possesses impeccable public speaking skills.

3. Strong Negotiation Skills

Negotiations can be an effective way to wrap up a divorce proceeding before it erupts into further conflicts and disputes. Whether you’ll get a fair settlement… will ultimately depend on your lawyer’s negotiation skills. A seasoned lawyer will be persuasively eloquent while being as strategically aggressive as possible to get the deal you desire.

This is another area where The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox has other law firms beat. We are home to the best divorce attorney in Grand Rapids, MI, with exceptional negotiation skills. Our lawyers carefully assess the situation of both parties and take the stakes into consideration to put forward the best arguments.

We are proud to have divorce lawyers in Grand Rapids who anticipates both the best and worst outcomes. They’ll instantly shut down any argument from the other party that can possibly violate your rights. Most importantly, they can approach the negotiations with a rational state of mind, which isn’t possible for a spouse entangled in a divorce.

4. Compassion and Empathy

As we mentioned before, a divorce can be emotionally taxing. During such a time, you’d want a lawyer that treats you with compassion and empathy. A lawyer that patiently listens to your grievances. They can provide you with advice that can make you feel at peace.

Compassion and empathy are principles that the Grand Rapids Divorce Lawyers at The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox religiously follow. We do everything in our ability to make you feel comfortable, so you feel confident enough to share your story with us. We also go out of our way to help clients deal with the emotional fallout of divorce:

We help clients find professional counselling, ensure the other party is behaving appropriately, and advice on things that could help alleviate emotional challenges that are stressing you out.

5. Effective Time Management

Perhaps the most important factor contributing to the success of a divorce attorney is their ability to manage time. You’d want to associate with a lawyer that’s well-organized and doesn’t waste your time. They never miss out or delay a set appointment. They keep a record of their entire day’s schedule beforehand and execute tasks accordingly.

They’ll know what tasks to prioritize over others. They’ll set aside time for investigating and digging out dirt on the other party. They’ll also be ready to tackle an unexpected task when it comes up.

You can rest assured of being in safe hands with a lawyer that knows how to manage his or her time, knows what their priorities are, and can think on their feet to tackle unexpected challenges. This ability to respect your time is exactly what you get when you hire the best Grand Rapids Family Law Attorneys at The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox.

Conclusion

In hindsight, a successful divorce lawyer will possess the following qualities:

  • Extensive Understanding of Family Law
  • Good Communication Skills
  • Excellent at Negotiations
  • Exhibits Compassion and Empathy toward clients
  • Efficient at Managing Time.

If you want to win a divorce case, these are the qualities you need to look for in a divorce lawyer. Luckily, you won’t have to look any further than right here at The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox – the best Grand Rapids divorce law firm.

We are the first name that pops up when you Google ‘top divorce lawyers near me’. Call us now to schedule a free initial meeting with us if you seek the best legal representation in town for your divorce case.

FAQ

1. What is the role of a divorce lawyer?

Ans: A divorce lawyer’s primary role is to help clients navigate through the rather complicated divorce procedure. Their duty is to explain to clients their rights, mediate with other parties for a fair settlement, resolve issues concerning child custody or asset distribution, and litigate the case in front of the court.

2. How long does a divorce process take?

Ans:This depends on the divorce process and will vary from case to case. If there the divorce proceeding is uncontested and everything is settled amicably, then the process will conclude in no time. In a contested divorce case, on the other hand, the process becomes complicated and can go on for months. Typically, a divorce process can take anywhere from two months to a whole year to resolve.

3. How much does a divorce attorney cost?

Ans: This depends on the law firm you choose to represent you and the specific circumstances pertaining to your case. In Michigan, for more clarity, you can directly talk to the seasoned Grand Rapids family lawyers at The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox for a free consultation.

4. What happens when the divorce case goes to trial?

Ans: A trial will entail the divorce lawyer presenting their client’s case in front of the judge. The judge will hear both spouses’ arguments and make decisions related to spousal support, child custody, property division, etc.

5.Can a divorce lawyer help with child custody arrangements?

Ans: Yes! Divorce lawyers can help their clients settle disputes pertaining to child custody. They can mediate with the other party to come to a mutual agreement when it comes to visitation rights, determining child support amount, and discussing other elements imperative to making child custody arrangements.   

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The Law Offices of Sean Patrick Cox is a lawyer. Sean practices in two main areas, family law, and elder law. he has represented clients in complex divorce cases since 1994.