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 1073 reviews
Highly Recommend Brown Family Law – David Made My Divorce a Success!!!
I recently went through a divorce and I couldn’t be happier with how everything turned out. From the very beginning, David at Brown Family Law took the time to truly understand what I wanted and fought hard to make sure I got it. He represented me exceptionally well and kept me informed every step of the way.
What really stood out was how effective David and the entire paralegal team were. They were professional, responsive, and incredibly thorough. Thanks to their hard work and expertise, I was able to achieve exactly what I was hoping for in the settlement.
If you’re looking for a family law attorney who will actually deliver results and make a stressful process as smooth as possible, I highly recommend David and the team at Brown Family Law. They did a fantastic job and I’m truly grateful for their support during such a big life change.
Thank you, David!
Brown family law has been amazing up front with about everything and always answering my questions quickly. I would definitely recommend them.
David and Candace were the best. They were always willing to help. It truly felt like cared about me and were in my corner at all times. Thank you
Nick was amazing and extremely helpful as we worked through my case. The weekly updates were such a stress reliever. I don't even remember how many questions I asked, but they were exceedingly helpful as each one was promptly answered. I wholeheartedly recommend Brown Family Law.
They have been there for me through it all. Thank you David and Dani.
I worked with Nick and Carren to work through and finalize my divorce. Nick was very knowledgeable and provided great insight and expertise and Carren was always very quick to pass along information and responses to any of my requests or questions. They resolved my divorce and left me feeling peaceful throughout a difficult process.
Leilani worked very hard for me and I was delighted with the results of my case!
Nick and Carren were amazing the whole step of the way. Incredibly professional and had amazing communication. If ever I have another need for a family lawyer I’ll come back to Brown.
Amazing care and super fast replies. Nicholas is amazing and helped me out fantastically. I had a great experience with this law office. The team was professional, knowledgeable, and truly cared about my case. He kept me informed every step of the way and achieved a better outcome than I expected. Highly recommend!
Best service I have ever had
Daniel and Carren were great! Very thorough and quick responding to questions and concerns.
I could not have had a better attorney than Anne-Greyson Long from Brown Family Law. I knew they had my back but what meant the most was that they really cared about what was best for my kid too. They are responsive and get results yet still operate with empathy and integrity. I made the right choice going with them.
Working with Jennifer was a great experience. She is a Dragon Girl. I would highly recommend working with her.
I had the privilege of working with Ray and his paralegal Carren for three years during a very high-conflict custody battle with my ex, and I truly cannot say enough good things about them. From start to finish, their level of professionalism, dedication, and compassion set them apart from most legal teams.

Ray was not only knowledgeable and strategic, but also straightforward and honest with me at every stage of the process. He never made unrealistic promises and always made sure I understood my options, which gave me a lot of confidence and peace of mind during a very stressful time. Carren was equally amazing—organized, responsive, and incredibly supportive. She made sure I was always kept in the loop and was quick to answer questions or provide updates.

What stood out most was their consistent communication. They always made the effort to call and keep me updated, which made me feel like I was truly a priority, not just another case. Their teamwork, transparency, and genuine care made a difficult experience much more manageable.

I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of strong, reliable legal representation.
Thank you to everyone at Brown Family Law. You guys are an amazing team. My attorney Katrina Redd made this so easy for me. She was always available to help explain the details, answering all of my questions and concerns with respect and clarity. And can I say, the way she handled my mediation…I was so impressed. Im so happy I chose to go with Brown.
Brown Family Law wasn’t able at the time to take on my case however the team was super nice and helpful. They took the time to send me referrals to other lawyers who could help me. Appreciate this level of service.
Russell was so kind and great to work with!
They did an outstanding job working on my case. It was very difficult due to me being in the military and stationed in Texas. They did a great job communicating with me by email and phone and i was very satisfied with the outcome and their work. I would definitely recommend them, especially to any other military people who need to have legal issues dealt with in Utah and that are unable to be there themselves to handle it.
I would like to thank everyone there that help me out especially David & Dani you guys made this experience pleasant.
Thank you for always being able to help me out with questions and concerns I had and keeping me updated with calls and text about my case through out this whole process!!
I was able to have a consultation with Clay. He did an incredible job at helping me understand my legal rights.
The team at Brown Family Law provided exceptional support during a difficult personal matter. They are true experts in family law and made a stressful process much easier to manage. Truly the best in the business!
I have had a long drawn out case with my divorce and I will say that Daniel and Carren have been amazing to work with through this process. They are always on point and responded quickly to all of my questions and concerns.
I am incredibly grateful for my legal team. They provided steady, knowledgeable guidance while addressing the unique challenges of a military family case. Their professionalism and attention to detail gave me confidence and peace of mind throughout the entire divorce process.
Leilani was incredible to work with throughout my case. She was always available when I needed her, and both she and Dani consistently went out of their way especially every Wednesday and Friday, to make sure they made time for me. Their dedication and responsiveness never went unnoticed. Leilani handled everything with professionalism and care, guiding me step by step toward a resolution. I truly appreciate the support, communication, and commitment they showed from start to finish
Going through a custody case is overwhelming, but having my attorney Nick, made all the difference. He was calm when I was stressed, always responsive, explained everything clearly, and truly had my child’s best interest at heart. Attention to detail, and courtroom presence made a huge difference. I felt heard, respected, and protected throughout the entire process. His communication was clear and consistent, and I never felt left in the dark. I’m beyond grateful for his hard work and dedication. I would absolutely recommend Nick to anyone needing strong, compassionate representation .
Clay and Whitney and the wholesome respect I received during my entire interaction was amazing. They gave me valuable advice/feedback and a joy to work with. Highly recommend #10Stars
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.
Nick and Carren had amazing communication throughout this entire experience and answered all questions and concerns quickly! Would definitely recommend them. I had a wonderful experience with them.
Communication is a big thing for Brown Family Law and it showed. They were very helpful in answering any questions I had, and helping make all the complexities of law understandable.
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
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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.