Divorce Attorney suggestions? (Howe, Campbell: flat fee, how much, lawyers)

[AGA]

PLEASE NO DRAMA

I know I am opening up a can of worms here, but I need some help. Looking for a divorce attorney....does not need to be cut throat/hard core as our issues are going to be fairly typical. No large estate, doubt there will be kid drama, No major investments/pensions/etc... just down and dirty divorce! House, cars, kids...the usual stuff.

I don't really think I am comfortable with the flat fee do it yourself things, but I don't really know how they work so who knows.
Possible a mediator would work, so suggestions for that too would be appreciated.

I am the party that is not pushing for the divorce, if that matters, but I fear it is gonna happen anyway.

I have been given the name of Becky Beaver, however I think she may be a little overkill for the situation....I hear she is a real ball-buster....

[atlanta hope]

I'd heard Becky Beaver was the best in town from a few different sources.

[austinite45]

Originally Posted by AGA

PLEASE NO DRAMA

I know I am opening up a can of worms here, but I need some help. Looking for a divorce attorney....does not need to be cut throat/hard core as our issues are going to be fairly typical. No large estate, doubt there will be kid drama, No major investments/pensions/etc... just down and dirty divorce! House, cars, kids...the usual stuff.

I don't really think I am comfortable with the flat fee do it yourself things, but I don't really know how they work so who knows.
Possible a mediator would work, so suggestions for that too would be appreciated.

I am the party that is not pushing for the divorce, if that matters, but I fear it is gonna happen anyway.

I have been given the name of Becky Beaver, however I think she may be a little overkill for the situation....I hear she is a real ball-buster....

how much are you willing pay?

do you really need an expensive lawyer?

you yourself are the only reliable judge for who you would like to hire.

it doesn't hurt to make some initial (free) consultations or phone inquiries.

here is one:

http://www.rm-lawoffice.net/

call them and let us know what you think. (tell them SC referred you)

[mwv]

I would recommend doing extensive research. Divorce attorneys are the most corrupt and incompetent in the legal field- they have a vested interest in draining your money as much does your spouse. I'm totally serious.

Make sure you track everything your attorney does with logs and that you record all telephone calls. Set deadlines and expectations while still being realistically flexible. Do not trust him or her to do things right or to do right by you or you will be taken to the cleaners twice.

[austinite45]

Originally Posted by mwv

I would recommend doing extensive research. Divorce attorneys are the most corrupt and incompetent in the legal field- they have a vested interest in draining your money as much does your spouse. I'm totally serious.

Make sure you track everything your attorney does with logs and that you record all telephone calls. Set deadlines and expectations while still being realistically flexible. Do not trust him or her to do things right or to do right by you or you will be taken to the cleaners twice.

really? divorce attorneys are the most incompetent bunch? could you elaborate on that a little bit?

seems that they have been doing a good job collectively ... America has a 50% divorce rate for first marriages, 60% for second marriages

[AGA]

I will do the research....just needed a jumping off point! Yellow pages not a great resource for things like this!

[doctorjef]

I would suggest Keith Maples, among others. I have worked professionally with him and respect him. At the time I quit doing custody evaluations, Keith was just starting to get into a model of cooperative divorce settlement. He's a good guy and an effective attorney as far as I was ever able to see. There are quite a few others, but I would definitely recommend you retain someone who is actually part of the family law bar.

Becky Beaver is very skilled and effective, but unless she has changed her style, she is extraordinarily aggressive IME.

I personally prefer skilled, low key and non-inflammatory.

[AGA]

Thank you all for your input! I am researching and gathering info and I appreciate all your support. I am hoping for the best, while preparing for the worst.

[Biscuits]

Originally Posted by atlanta hope

I'd heard Becky Beaver was the best in town from a few different sources.

Same here.

[doctorjef]

Becky Beaver is undoubtedly a skilled family law attorney. However, it is possible that she may have the capacity to contribute to the process becoming more adversarial than would otherwise be the case. Of course, this may be partly an artifact of the particular litigants who choose to hire her and who can afford to pay for her services (I've no idea how her fees compare relative to other notable members of the Travis County family law bar).

Besides Keith Maples, whom I mentioned previously, Piper & Powers are a good firm. Another family attorney whom I like a lot is James (Jim) Arth. I used to think quite highly of John Campbell, as well, though I would wonder if he is still practicing, given his advancing years. Let me suggest that prevailing in court isn't always the end all and be all of a successful outcome and may in fact represent a pyrrhic victory in some situations. I suspect that certain kinds of litigants gravitate toward certain kinds of lawyers, assuming one removes the often determinative factor of fees from the equation. The worst thing in the world - and the most pathological - is an original suit that is then followed by one modification suit after another (war without end, essentially).