How to find a good divorce attorney

Getting a divorce is a long process. It’s emotionally exhausting, and it comes with a lot of paperwork, legalities, and tedious tasks. You know you need a good divorce attorney — but with everything else on your plate, finding one might be the last thing on your mind.

Luckily, finding a divorce attorney near you isn’t that difficult thanks to online tools and other methods of leveraging your network. Here are a few key tips to help you find a good divorce attorney.

Start with a local search on Google

Start with a simple Google search for a local attorney, like “divorce attorney near me.” Google will automatically track your location and provide a list of search results that are geographically relevant, so this is an easy way to locate divorce attorneys in your town or the surrounding area.

If you’re having trouble finding any attorneys in your specific city, broaden your search by including the name of a larger city near you. For example, if you live in Georgia, try “divorce attorney in Atlanta.” This could help you find someone in your general area, although you may need to be willing to travel.

Search an online database

There are several online databases that function as a directory of attorneys; these platforms are typically free and easy to use.

Avvo is one good example. With this website, you can view top-rated lawyers near you and search for an attorney using parameters like your location and the specific type of attorney you need. Avvo has a section for divorce and separation attorneys and lets you search within that category for lawyers near you.

Use word of mouth

Ask around your network — friends, family, coworkers — to see if any of them have used a local divorce attorney or have one to recommend. Finding an attorney through word of mouth might not be as efficient as searching for one online, but talking to people you trust has a big benefit: you can get their honest feedback on the attorney and decide based on others’ experiences whether this is the right lawyer for you.

If you don’t personally know anyone who has used a divorce attorney in your town, try contacting a local support group for people who are divorced or going through a divorce. The leaders or members of that group might be able to point you in the right direction to find a lawyer you’ll trust.

Utilize a state bar directory

Third-party sites like Avvo aren’t your only choice for online directories. Most state bar associations offer tools that function as lawyer-finders, too. Visit AmericanBar.org’s list of bar directories, organized by state, to view directory tools available for your location.

Ask a lawyer

Do you have a friend who’s a lawyer? If so, ask them for a recommendation. Someone who works as an attorney themselves will likely have more names to offer than friends who may have simply used a lawyer once in the past.

Even if you don’t personally know an attorney, ask around to see if any of your friends do. Chances are, you’re only a degree or two removed from an attorney who would be willing to answer your questions.

Leverage the power of social media

You may not feel comfortable sharing about your divorce on social media, and if not, that’s perfectly fine. But if you’re okay with it, social media might be a helpful tool to find a divorce attorney near you.

Many towns have local Facebook groups that are geared for people who live in that community to crowdsource questions like which attorney is best. Post in one of those groups asking for a recommendation for a divorce attorney, and most likely, answers will come pouring in.

Head to the library

Your local library can be a helpful source of information on divorce attorneys near you. Search the shelves to find books written by lawyers in your state, and make a list of the author names; then follow up with a quick Google search to ensure each attorney is still active and still local. If you need help, ask a librarian — they’d be happy to help you search for books and compile a list of potential names.

Find a divorce attorney near you

Going through a divorce is stressful and emotionally draining — the process of finding a divorce attorney shouldn’t be the same. Use these tips to quickly and easily find the divorce attorney that’s best for your family.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.