Deciding that it is time for a divorce is not something that anyone takes lightly. It requires time and thought and must be treated with respect. After making that first, all-important decision, there are many more important decisions to make, the first of which is the choice of a divorce lawyer.
Nearly 60,000 divorce attorneys are working in law firms across the United States, and Richmond, Virginia has its full share of those. With that many to choose from, you must find the divorce attorney in Richmond that is right for you.
When you are looking for the right divorce attorney, you need:
- A lawyer who will listen to you.
- A lawyer who understands the specifics of Virginia family law from beginning to end, and…
- A lawyer who is a great negotiator.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at what to look for when choosing a divorce attorney in Richmond, Virginia.
Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer for You in Richmond
First off, you need a lawyer who will listen to you and understand your needs.
- Some family lawyers will want to settle your divorce as quickly as possible without understanding what the ideal outcome is.
- Every client deserves an attentive family lawyer who will take the time to get to know them and understand their unique priorities, especially if your needs concern child support or child custody
- Your lawyer needs to know what your goals are for the litigation—not all divorces are the same.
Next, you need to find a family law firm that has been working in Virginia and understands the legal process in our state.
- Did you know that Virginia is one of the last remaining states that allows for “fault-based” divorces?
- This is only one of the many state laws that Virginia divorce attorneys have to be well-prepared to contend with, and this may affect your divorce.
- Most states have eliminated the option for at-fault divorces, but if you are getting divorced in our state, your law attorney must be accomplished navigating this and other special challenges of the legal process in our Commonwealth.
- Family lawyers in Virginia must work through the Circuit Courts, which is another idiosyncrasy of our divorce process.
- Make sure your family lawyer knows the ropes in Virginia!
Finally, you need a lawyer who is a great negotiator.
- Family lawyers need to be able to facilitate meaningful and productive conversations with the divorcing parties and their representation.
- They must be able to work with opposing counsel to come to a reasonable settlement and resolve your case whenever possible.
- Finally, if necessary, your lawyer must be dedicated to passionately advocating for your rights in court, no matter the conditions.
- In the course of any divorce, a skilled family law firm must be prepared to handle spousal support, child custody, and child support matters, and must be versed in Virginia law on all of these concerns.
- Other legal questions about things like estate planning and taxes also routinely arise.
Contact Us
WhitbeckBennett is a divorce attorney in Richmond, Virginia, that has been practicing family law for decades, and our family court lawyers meet the highest standards of professionalism.
We offer competitive rates for our family law services and can handle any type of representation you need, either in or out of court.
Our attorneys have decades of experience in Virginia family law and can answer all of your questions about what your family law case might cost.
Don’t wait to start your conversation with WhitbeckBennett. Call today at 800-516-3964, or contact us here.
By Jacob E. Smith
Partner
Jacob E. Smith is a partner at WhitbeckBennett who focuses primarily on family law. Practicing since 2012, Jacob has represented clients in a variety of matters including family law, adoption, bankruptcy, criminal defense, business formation, corporate litigation, and mass-torts.