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I don't have any names to offer, but one strategy I have heard for acrimonious divorces is to find a list of the 10 best attorneys in your area so you can "conflict them out". Go seek each one out for an initial consultation (some may offer this service for free), offer enough information to create an attorney-client relationship and then they (the top divorce attorneys in the area) cannot represent your spouse due to conflict of interest.
I've seen that mentioned on TV and always wondered if people really did it or not. As a co worker found a few months ago, most attorneys around here will not even give a phone consultation for free so it also might be pretty expensive at $300 an hour.
You should clarify what county you are in. As friends of mine have learned, you don't want to be using a Wake County attorney in Durham County courts, or vice versa. Relationships with the court count for a lot.
I think it depends. My attorney was outside of county and he was the best attorney. He knew the law, the judges respected him for knowing the law. The other in county lawyer was very vague on the law. The judge ended up agreeing with us on 95% of what we requested when my attorney was outside of the county. I won't be afraid to hire a attorney outside the county. Make sure that attorney is good.
I think it depends. My attorney was outside of county and he was the best attorney. He knew the law, the judges respected him for knowing the law. The other in county lawyer was very vague on the law. The judge ended up agreeing with us on 95% of what we requested when my attorney was outside of the county. I won't be afraid to hire a attorney outside the county. Make sure that attorney is good.
There is some leeway, as some attorneys do practice in more than one county. But the family law bars in each of the major counties in the Triangle tend to be rather tight-knit groups who know each other well. A Durahm County attorney may not know or be known by Wake County attorneys. Most of the work in a divorce happens between the attorneys, not in front of the judge, so it's important for those attorneys to have decent professional relationships.
I've seen that mentioned on TV and always wondered if people really did it or not. As a co worker found a few months ago, most attorneys around here will not even give a phone consultation for free so it also might be pretty expensive at $300 an hour.
Of course 10 or even 100 times that would be chump change compared to what a bad settlement could end up costing you over the years.....
I used Rosen's info along with 100's of other sites to write my own 25 page separation agreement. I used Ellis Family Law out of Durham (FYI Durham courts are faster and it really doesn't matter if its Wake or Durham). My attorney reviewed the separation agreement and had me make edits and then my ex did the same with his attorney. Ellis Family Law actually filed the divorce. Whole process start to finish under $2,000. Was married 10 years, with kids, assets, debts, etc so this wasn't an "easy" divorce to administer, however, since the divorce was not aggressive (not sure I would use the term "amicable") we were able to mediate ourselves. Separation agreements can cost a lot. I recommend each of you starting out with what you think is a reasonable separation agreement then taking it to separate attorneys and then trying to do the negotiating yourselves or have it mediated. Should cut cost, time and pain, provided the circumstances allow for that.
If you are going to litigate and your a woman, look into Ellis Family Law, if your a guy, sorry can't help you there.
My friend used Jill Burton in Durham and felt she was very well represented.
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