how do you find a good lawyer

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2003
how do you find a good lawyer
3
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 3:54pm

Does anyone have good advice on how to find a good lawyer to start a divorce? I spoke with the few divorced people I know and heard some horror stories. My wife and I are on amicable terms, but it is tenuous. I don't want to upset for the sake of our two kids and us too.

Anybody have good luck with mediation. It sounds good, but my wife is scared she will end up with a bad deal. That's the last thing I want, but I don't want us fighting for every dime because our lawyers force things to be confrontational.

I'm in Fairfield County, CT.

Thanks for your help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 4:17pm
mom_laura will be able to give you help... she's down in that area. I believe she tried mediation before going hard-core. I'm up in Hartford county, and work for my attorney in East Hartford, who doesn't believe in Attorney's as mediators. Both parties should have representation for their best interest. Good luck, and keep us posted.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2006
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 4:40pm

I had a horrible experience with an atty who I paid a $1500 retainer to on a Tuesday and then called him the very next day and told him to hold off doing anything only to be told I still owed him another $500 for work performed. Our meeting was a 6:00pm and I had called him at 10:00am the next day!

I strongly recommend whatever attorney you plan on using, you call the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Council in your state to find out if he/she has any grievances filed against them. In my case there had been 46 and he was on probation...two weeks after I had hired him, he was disbarred!

Good luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2004
Fri, 03-10-2006 - 7:49pm
I am using a lawyer in New Haven county, and I think she's fantastic. Feel free to contact me via e-mail through my profile and I'd be happy to give you her contact information.


Edited 3/10/2006 7:50 pm ET by justiceandtruth