A divorce, which is defined as a legal dissolution of a marriage, is a troubling process for most and can be both financially and emotional draining. The majority of divorces will include a division of marital assets, alimony and possibly even child custody, which is why most individuals choose to hire a divorce attorney to protect their interests. It's important to note that there is a big difference between finding a good divorce attorney and finding the right divorce attorney for your individual situation.

There are a number of ways to find a good divorce attorney, including the yellow pages of your local telephone book, referrals from colleagues, friends or family members who have gone through a divorce themselves or simply by interviewing several different attorneys to find the right one for you. In fact, it is often recommended that you schedule a consultation with more than one attorney so that you can learn which has the most experience in handling divorce cases and choose the one that you feel will work hard to earn the best outcome for your case. In addition, meeting with multiple attorneys will allow you to compare rates and find the one with whom you are most comfortable.

Speaking of rates, the complexity of a divorce will greatly impact the attorney fees. The more work, research and negotiation your attorney is required to do, the higher the fees will likely be. In some cases, a divorce can be handled through mediation if both spouses are willing to cooperate and end the marriage on an agreeable note. In most cases, mediation is less expensive than divorce court due to the fact that less time and research are involved.

A retainer agreement, which is required when you assign an attorney to your case, is a legally binding contract that outlines the attorney's responsibilities, fees and other information relating to the case. Both you and your attorney will keep a copy of the retainer agreement for future reference and incase there should ever become a dispute involving any aspect of the case or the attorney's responsibilities thereof.

The information contained in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with legal advice regarding divorce or the selection of a divorce attorney. If you are in need of advice or are considering seeking a divorce, consult with a local divorce lawyer for further information.