Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Delhi
Any divorce can be emotionally and legislatively convoluted, especially so in an intricate and laws-filled city like Delhi. The reason is, one needs to have the right kind of a divorce lawyer who shall protect one's interests and rights in and out. Here are common mistakes people make when hiring a divorce lawyer in Delhi.
1. Failure to investigate one's background
Probably the most common mistake as perceived to be made by most people in a quest to find a lawyer is the failure to research his or her background. Such background information that one may check for includes whether the lawyer has relevant credentials and experience, and to what extent he or she is regarded as credible.
His capability can be found out from the membership of the Bar Council of Delhi, or the judgement of previous cases can be checked. General reputation and reliability can also be viewed on online reviews, or even through obtaining references from previous clients. A good lawyer with a fantastic history regarding the settlement of divorce cases is probably going to represent the party effectively.
2. Picking an Attorney on the Basis of Fees Alone
You may want to head towards the cheapest, but this can work against you. The fact that it had the cheapest quote in town does not really translate to being the best. This inexperience or huge caseload will impinge on their time in attending to your case.
As such, instead of looking at the cost alone, look at experience. Of course, the more experienced the lawyer, the more his fees are going to be, but he will treat your case much more efficiently and effectively, which is most likely to save you time and therefore money in the long run.
3. Not Checking for Specialization
The second mistake that most people make is to hire an attorney who does not deal with family law or cases of divorce. The divorce law is so complicated that all the ropes are sure to make him require a lawyer dealing exclusively with this very particular area of law in order to succeed with all the hurdles involving the same.
A general practice attorney may just not have that information or experience to get into the specifics of your case. This may be particularly true for Delhi's case, with its changing local laws and practices. A family lawyer can really make a difference when it is finally time for judgement.
4. Communication Skills
There is lots of effective communication involved in divorce cases, which is usually overlooked all the time while selecting the divorce attorneys. Poor communication could lead to misconceptions, delays, and lost opportunities. You will actually see how the lawyer communicates right from the first visits that you have with him.
Does he return your calls right away? Or does he actually try to explain legal terminology and procedures in layman's terms? He is clear and punctual in his communication, so he will most likely update you on your case and take you through every step, which could really help ease your nerves.
5. Not Researching Compatibility and Comfort Level
Divorce is a very personal process; even sometimes emotionally charged, it requires that one be comfortable with their lawyer. If you're not going to feel okay speaking with your litigator about your case, then that is going to be very stressful and frustrating.
Now, in the case of a personal rapport, it may differ in the result since you have to believe in your lawyer and be sure of his sincerity that he will definitely provide you with maximum representation in the hearing. You must therefore note in the first few meetings whether you are comfortable and confident with the lawyer, his abilities, and his method.
6. Not Asking About Strategy and Approach for the Case
There are various ways in which lawyers treat their divorce cases.Some are procedure-based, while others like fighting in court. You should have to know what strategy and what approach he is taking before you hire him. Request a copy of the plan of action on your case and how he will secure the result. This is so you understand clearly what their approach is, to establish that this really is what is expected and what one would hope for.
7. Neglecting Carefully Reading a Fee Agreement
Most of the people are against the activities that threaten them with divorce. One should always know what the fee structure looks like to avoid any unpleasant surprises further down the line. Divorce cases can be pretty pricey. Some common mistakes made in agreements are to make sure that the costs you need to know about are very reasonable; also, make sure that the retainer fees are cleared and you are not charged anything over and above for appearing in court or preparing documents.
Just ensure that your fee agreement is crystal clear, and you do know precisely what to expect with all possible costs. Make sure that any vague point is cleared up before going ahead.Still important to the success of your case is the availability of your attorney in the process.
8. Not Checking the Lawyer's Availability
It can be overstretched that if someone has a case and the attorney has too many running at the same time, then his or her time cannot suffice. As such, his attention towards your case may not be sufficient, thereby bringing about delays and probable errors.
Before one decides to settle an advocate on a case, one may want to ask him whether he will be available and have time to spend on his case. That way, you would want a lawyer at your beck and call to answer your questions, keep you updated on the developments, and always appear in court whenever need be.
9. Not researching the lawyer's courtroom history
Even though most divorce cases do settle, bottom line, you still want to know whether the attorney you are considering has a good record in the courtroom, just in case yours happens to be one of them.
An attorney who is good and highly experienced in the courtroom could also be useful in those rare, very difficult, highly complex cases that will simply not settle and seep through the court system. Even if you do hope to stay out of the courts, it is a great comfort to know that your lawyer will be more than able to competently represent you should settlement attempts fail.
10. Can't Get Client References and Testimonials
The last and arguably best way to assess an attorney is to get some testimonials and references from clients themselves. This is very good, in fact, since one gets to hear from somebody's past experiences regarding the strengths and weaknesses of that particular attorney. It will be prudent for any individual to request the attorney to refer such clients or just find them through the online testimonials available.
Keep heed of the responses in view of the way the attorney handled the case, the communication skills of the attorney, and the result at the tail end. The same goes for referrals from friends or family who have gone through the same or similar heartbreaking experiences—such referrals can also turn out to be a trustworthy means to find a lawyer.
Conclusion
A good divorce attorney is essential for smoothing the course of the divorce process, ensuring it is thorough and successful. To find the best divorce lawyers in Delhi, avoid common mistakes such as ignoring your research, selecting a lawyer solely based on their fees, and overlooking communication skills. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you'll be better positioned to make an informed decision and secure the right legal support for your case.
Take your time picking them according to their specification, win rate, and the level of matching of your needs. You will then have a positive attitude about going through the process with the right attorney.