Hire a lawyer who knows divorce and who you can afford.

No matter how smart or capable you are, you should never be your own lawyer. Anyone with enough commonsense and intelligence should rapidly realize that court rules are complex, state specific, and filled with pitfalls for the unwary. Then there is the law of divorce itself.

An good attorney will tell you that nothing warms their heart more than an unrepresented party. It is like being a pro baseball player and going up to bat with the local 12 year old little league team. They can pretty much expect to knock the ball out of the park.

Now I know someone reading this is convinced either by ego or experience that they can represent themselves. The problem is, even if you have figured out enough law and procedure, you'll never be able to decouple yourself emotionally from the fight. Do you want a surgeon that gets angry? sad? or depressed while he operates on your body? A good lawyer is not emotionally attached to your situation, and can help you better understand what is possible and realistic. This doesn't mean they have to be cold or unsympathetic, but it does mean they must and can maintain a professional detachment.

As for cost, it varies widely. A good lawyer is rarely free, but costs can vary greatly. In fact most people don't know what to pay for an attorney, and so they assume what they pay is normal. It might or might not be. A highly experienced attorney with years of practice might charge a lot more for a particular case, but might not be able to be any more successful than a novice attorney, if the facts and law are very certain in a case.

You should also stay in budget. If you overpay for your resources, you might not be able to sustain the divorce litigation. You don't want to burn all of your legal war chest to quickly, so be careful about spending too much too soon. You might be able to afford the high priced attorney for a short case, but what if it drags on?

We have found that LEGAL MATCH is a great way to see what various attorneys charge for a case. They allow several lawyers to respond to your case, and give quotes and estimates. Because it is a free service and there is no obligation, it not only helps you find an attorney, but also find out what kinds of pricing are available in your area. If you don't have an attorney its a great resource, and even if you do, it gives you some second opinions on cost and strategy. Try it here.

We have also found that quick divorce questions can be answered on JustAnswers. - Try it here.

Did you know that it is possible to find an excellent custody attorney?
It is free, and there is no obligation - Find a divorce attorney.

6 Ways to Help Win Your Divorce.

1. File a Legal Separation or Divorce Action as Soon as Possible.
2. Think With Your Mind, Not Your Heart
3. Every E-mail, Voicemail, and Letter is Part of the Record.
4. Organize and Document Your Finances / Property
5. Protect Your Assets / Restrict your Spouse's Access .
6. Hire  a lawyer who knows divorce and who you can afford.