How to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

The following questionnaire can help you find and hire an experienced lawyer who can be the right fit for your case:

How to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?
  1. Are you able to get along with the divorce attorney?
  2. Does the lawyer focus exclusively on divorce cases, and how busy is he/she?
  3. What is the lawyer’s reputation with the court and his/her clients?
  4. Does the lawyer believe in collaborative divorce resolution?
  5. Does the lawyer communicate systemically and promptly?
  6. Who will handle your case?
  7. Does the lawyer know your spouse?
  8. Have you browsed the lawyer’s website and appraised the testimonials?
  9. How does the lawyer charge fees?

After checking with your family and friends, and after searching online, you can shortlist a few divorce lawyers who look suitable. And then go about finding the most appropriate one for your case by using the following questionnaire:

Are You Able to Get Along with the Divorce Attorney?

You may be the friendliest person in the world and your lawyer may be the Einstein of divorce law, but if you both do not vibe with each other or develop a rapport, or cannot stand together in a room, you will not receive your ideal results. Find someone you are comfortable working with.

Does the Lawyer Specialize in Divorce Cases, and How Busy is He?

You need to work with a firm that is laser-focused 24/7 on divorce cases. Working with a general practice firm can compromise your case because such firms handle all kinds of cases without specializing in any.

When you discover an experienced lawyer who seems just right for you, find out how busy he/she is. If he/she is too busy with too many cases, he/she may not be generous with time – in that case, he/she should have an experienced team and assign to you a lawyer who has the time for you. On the other hand, if the lawyer handles very few divorce cases in a year, there might be a reason for that – it could imply that there’s a lack of competence. Therefore, you need to strike the right balance and how you do that depends on you alone.

What is the Lawyer’s Reputation with the Court and with his Clients?

The lawyer should have an excellent reputation with his colleagues, clients, and the courts. If he is disliked, negotiations can become tougher, and that could compromise your case. The lawyer should not have any violations listed against him on the state’s bar association’s website.

Does the Lawyer Believe in Collaborative Divorce Resolution?

Collaborative divorcee refers to the process of resolving divorce disputes amicably, without litigation. The idea is to use mediation and negotiation as tools to resolve the divorce so that time and money can be saved, information can be exchanged in a transparent and informal environment, and an agreement can be made on how to handle post-separation issues so that the divorce can be resolved to both the parties’ satisfaction.

Therefore, you should check if the lawyer is more interested in a legal fight or a peaceful approach. We believe that a calm and amicable divorce resolution process through negotiation and mediation works best for the vast majority of clients.

Does the Lawyer Communicate Systemically and Promptly?

Being accessible and easily available on the phone, messenger, or email, communicating systemically, keeping you informed of what is happening (as it happens), asking your opinion on new strategies, being upfront about fees, and in general, being transparent and accessible are characteristics that all quality family law firms are known for.
Is the lawyer you are interviewing a systematic and transparent communicator? Dig in and get an answer.

Who will Handle your Case?

You interview an attorney because you are interested in hiring him. Therefore, you should consider asking him whether he/she or one of his team members will be handling your case. If he plans to assign the case to a team member, make sure you trust the lawyer you’re talking with and you trust that his/her team of lawyers will serve you well.

Does the Lawyer Know your Spouse?

If the lawyer knows your spouse, personal feelings can get in the way and influence his approach. We recommend not working with a lawyer who is connected to your spouse.

Have you Browsed the Lawyer’s Website and Appraised the Testimonials?

Typically, a quality law firm publishes a helpful family law blog that educates readers and turns them into informed litigants.
Your to-be lawyer’s website should publish helpful and prompt customer support – phone, messenger, online chat, or email. Their communication should be efficient and helpful to prospective clients.

Online testimonials can be a gray area. Remember that all humans are different and it is not possible to please everyone – therefore, if all testimonials are glowing and positive, you should consider taking them with a pinch of salt. Typically, reviews by people who have posted their names can be considered trustworthy. That said, online testimonials are just another checkbox in the lawyer selection process.

Finally, please consider not relying solely on search engine results. For example, some Utahns search for “best Utah divorce attorney” or “best Utah Utah family law attorney,” and shortlist the first 3 or 4 names that show up on the search engine. Such people should analyze the lawyer’s practice some more before hiring him. Google can’t do that for you.

How does the Lawyer Charge Fees?

Divorce lawyers charge fees based on:

  • Billable Hours (Line-Item Billing)
  • Flat Fees

In the billable hour form of billing, the lawyer charges you for the time he spent on your case. He/she lists the tasks performed in your case and charges you per task. That way, you get to know what task is completed and how long it took.

In the flat fees form of billing, the lawyer charges a flat fee for services. Flat fees can help clients control the cost of the case, and  they are paid upfront.

The questionnaire above is likely to help you cut down on your shortlist and hopefully select the right lawyer.

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About the Author: Amanda Vega
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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY AND WHY

Check out what some of our real life clients had to say about working with Brown Family Law

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Brown Family Law
Based on 1045 reviews
I’m very glad I chose Brown Family Law to handle my divorce. From start to finish, the process went smoothly. Divorce can be incredibly stressful, but much of that stress was eased thanks to their professionalism and guidance. Special thanks to Nicholas Schwarz and Carren Leavitt—both are outstanding attorneys who clearly know exactly what they’re doing. I couldn’t have asked for better representation. Thank you!
Nick and his team were professional, responsive, and incredibly effective. I’m extremely grateful for their guidance and highly recommend them to anyone needing a divorce.
Brown Family law. Nick and his partner Carren did a fantastic job handling my divorce. They always had my back. It was a difficult time of my life. They kept in touch with me every week. They were so though. I absolutely would record them.
Working with Carren was a great experience. She not only deeply knowledgeable about the legal process, but also incredibly patient in answering my questions and explaining complex documents. She was always responsive, professional, and went above and beyond to ensure I felt supported throughout my case. I couldn’t have asked for better help!
This office worked with my situation and my needs.

They were patient and explained the process to me if/when I had questions.

Over all a good service.
When I came to Brown Family Law I had lost all hope that my divorce would ever be completed. I had served my ex with numerous previous petitions, and had never been able to get to the finish line. Feeling defeated and frustrated I decided to give it one last shot and contact Brown Family Law. Jennifer, Dani and Marco Brown himself listened to my intricate story and worked with expertise and grace to finally get my divorced finalized after a 6 year long journey. You can not put a price on your freedom or peace of mind and that's exactly what they have given me. Brown Family Law is exceptional at what they do. I would highly recommend them and their incredible team!! Thank you , Thank you, Thank you!!!!
Idania- seems to me a very good profesional person
Her knowledge was very usefull for me
Thanks
Carren leavitt & Nick Schwarz helped me with my case and both where quick to reach out and address my concerns or emails sometimes within minutes of emailing them I couldn’t be happier
Definitely recommend! Nick and Carren worked with me every step of the way and always kept me informed on my case. They eased the stress during a difficult time and got me the best results possible. Thank you!!
I worked with Nicholas Schwarz during my divorce and mediation, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the outcome. My biggest concern was making sure my financial needs were still covered while paying alimony, and Nicholas was consistently clear, responsive, and genuinely protective of my interests. With his guidance, I reached a fair settlement that allowed me not just to get by, but to actually live my life. Divorce is always stressful, but he worked hard for me and took a lot of that stress off my shoulders. I would recommend him without hesitation and would hire him again.
Mr. Clay Randle is an excellent lawyer. He responded quickly and was able to get my daughter's divorce competed in a short period of time. I highly recommend him and his law firm. Thank you
Clay Randle helped our family more than he will ever know. My daughter was in a bad situation and through his help and Brown Family Law she was able to get her divorce done and finalized in what seemed to me an amazingly short time. Clay will look out for your best interests and defend your rights. He is amazing and I highly recommend him. His tenacity and attention to detail helped us through this difficult time.Thanks Clay!
Daniel and Carren were amazing throughout my entire time with them. It was such a relief having Daniel as my attorney, he was thorough, explained everything so I understood it, he worked hard with me and spoke with me in a regular basis to keep me in the loop with everything happening in my case. He fought for me. It meant the world to my boys and I and we can continue our lives and move forward. Thank you Daniel. Carren was so amazing to send me follow up, keep me up to date on anything that changed with my case. Any time there were changes she was so on top of it! I’m so glad I could count on these guys, truly. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart.
Response from the owner:Sean, so glad Daniel and Carren took good care of you. Thank you for your kind words.
I can’t say enough good things about Brown Family Law. Attorney Clay Randle truly went above and beyond for me and my child. From the beginning, he was supportive, patient, and fought hard for the best possible outcome.
What stood out most about Clay Randle was his compassion. He treated me like a real person during one of the hardest times of my life, not just another case. Clay Randle was always prepared, quick to respond, and took the time to explain everything in a way I could understand.
Clay Randle’s professionalism is outstanding, but what really sets him apart is how much he genuinely cares. He made me feel protected, informed, and confident when I needed it most.
If you are looking for a family law attorney who will truly go the extra mile and stand by you, I highly recommend Clay Randle. I am incredibly grateful for everything he did for me.

Thank you for going the extra mile for me Clay Randle, I appreciate your help as my Pro Say attorney.
- Briana
They are great and knowledgeable ppl , they been with me taking care of my legal needs for over 5 years. They will stand by you 100 percent till the case is done .
Response from the owner:Thank you, Richard.
Paul Waldron was excellent. He listened to all our concerns and helped us navigate our options to find the best out come. He and his staff were easy to communicate with and kept us updated through out the process. Would highly recommend!
The attorneys at Brown Family Law, and Jennifer Keeton in particular, are so caring, as well as competent. Jennifer was always easy to get ahold of and was good at listening and understanding what my goals were, and I always felt that she would do her utmost to ensure that I was taken care of and able to achieve the best outcome for me and my children.
Clay did an amazing job helping me out with my case. He went above and beyond what he needed to, and got me the best outcome I could get.
I rarely ever leave a review but my divorce attorney, Nathaniel Garrabrandt, his paralegal and the entire Brown Family Law were great to work with. I received regular communication from Nathaniel and his staff throughout the process. Nathaniel was highly recommended to me and now I know why. I’m very grateful for Nathaniel and the staff at Brown Family Law. It was one of the most difficult times of my life and working with them made it a little better.
Brown Family Law have been wonderful to work with. Their professionalism, knowledge and empathy were instrumental in the successful resolution of a very difficult situation. If we ever had need of an attorney with their skill set we would not hesitate to call on them again.
Absolutely stand out humans leading me through one of the most stressful and disorienting events of my life. I got what I needed and with my soul intact. Great insights, compassion and I feel having the support and capabilities of Nick to be instrumental to my coming out the other side with optimism! Cheers, Brown Family Law!
I cannot express how grateful I am for the way Nathaniel and the team at Brown Family Law handled my divorce case. Their level of professionalism and honesty is truly exceptional—qualities that used to be standard but, unfortunately, feel increasingly rare today. From start to finish, they were supportive, transparent, and genuinely committed to helping me navigate an incredibly difficult time. I felt heard, respected, and well-represented every step of the way. I highly recommend Brown Family Law to anyone seeking a trustworthy and skilled legal team.

Sincerely

William Tovar,
I cannot recommend Attorney Fredian's work enough, she has been compassionate every step of the way, responsive, shown true care for her clients and an example of what a lawyer should be. An advocate who cares.
Daniel Young and Carren Leavitt did an awesome job working on my case. Their commitment and dedication was great. They kept me updated at every stage of the case until it was finalized. I would greatly recommend them.
Definitely the team to trust with such a difficult situation. I 100% recommend brown law especially my attorney Leilani to anyone needing help with their divorce as I did. Leilani thank you
Brown Family Law was super great and comforting in a stressful time in my life.
I’m so glad I had them.
Nick was fantastic!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Teri.
Dani is extremely helpful. I am grateful for her professionalism.
Worked with Nick and Carren they did an awesome job with a difficult situation. The whole Brown law team was excellent to work with. I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs thier services. Thank you Nick and Carren also the rest of the team. On a side note everyone i delt with was very friendly! Thank you again!
Clay is the best
Clay was fantastic. I really appreciated his professionalism and knowledge. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone needing his services.
Helped me with everything, supported me in all my decisions! Communication is top notch! Never worked with a lawyer who was so easy to get a hold of! They are the best!
Daniel is a wizard. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and has a real gift for walking you through stressful situations with clarity and calm. He makes the process feel easy when it could otherwise be overwhelming. Highly recommend working with him!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Navigating a divorce is never easy, and I am so grateful to have had the support of attorney Nathaniel Garrabrandt and paralegal Carren Leavitt. From start to finish, they were responsive, professional, and compassionate. I really appreciated the weekly check-in Every phone call and email was answered promptly. There were moments when I needed immediate help with custody issues and protection—Nathaniel handled those situations with calm expertise and gave me the reassurance I needed during such a stressful and uncertain time.

Divorce can feel overwhelming, but having strong legal guidance made all the difference. Nathaniel and Carren provided not only the legal knowledge but also the steady support that helped me feel protected and confident moving forward. I couldn’t recommend Briwn Family Law more highly to anyone needing a reliable and caring legal team!
David Handy and his team were fantastic in helping me navigate custody time with my daughter. He gave the me reassurance and encouragement I needed with each step and I couldn't be more grateful to him! Thanks David! And to his team Candace & Brooklyn for being very helpful in keeping constant communication open. I enjoyed working with everyone!
I had a great experience. Amazing guidance and direction to best help me and my situation.
This has honestly been a first-class experience! I've gotten to work with many attorneys throughout my life and none have been as attentive as, Clay Randle has been.
Daniel and Carren were great to work with. They took time to help me understand the process and get through a difficult time. When I had questions they were quick to respond and really listened to my concerns.
Glad Jason was fired. Clay can handle any case like a champ. Thank you brown family law.
Kayelise was the easiest to talk to. She addressed all my questions regarding my divorce and has so much empathy for those she talks to. I can’t thank her enough for her guidance in my divorce and answering all my questions.
I have had the privilege of working alongside Nate Garrabrandt through our BNI group and hearing him share valuable insights every week about the divorce process. Even though I haven’t personally needed the services of Brown Family Law, I can confidently say that Nate is extremely knowledgeable, well-educated, and passionate about helping his clients navigate such a challenging time. His professionalism and expertise stand out, and I would not hesitate to recommend him and his firm to anyone in need of a skilled divorce attorney.
Would highly recommend! Carren & Nathanial took incredible care of our case & got us to our end goal :)
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What Makes Us Different

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.

At Brown Family Law, we know that when we make children’s well-being a priority, their parents do better, too.