How do I find an attorney who has experience with complicated divorce cases?

“How do I go about finding an attorney who has experience with more complicated divorce cases?”

Attorneys come in varying degrees of specialization and experience, much like professionals in any other field.  To find an attorney, you must look for one that is the right fit for your needs, both in terms of complexity of the issues you present as well as your budget.  

A good place to start in locating an attorney in your area with experience in more complex divorce scenarios is the Florida  Bar Association, which maintains a list of Board Certified attorneys by practice area on their Web site, www.Flabar.org.   A designation of “Board Certification” in family and matrimonial law requires that attorneys meet higher criteria in terms of years of practice, degree of specialization, trial experience, and general knowledge of this practice area.  The  American   Academy  of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is also a good source that should be consulted.   The AAML is a nationwide network of attorneys who practice family law and must be board certified in addition to passing advanced tests and rigorous admission criteria in order to earn the designation of “Fellow.” 

Once you have consulted the Florida Bar and the AAML, you might narrow down your list further by speaking to local attorneys you know in other practice areas about the names you are considering.   Attorneys who have handled your corporate, taxation or estate planning needs will likely be familiar with the good family law attorneys.  They might have served as co-counsel on cases involving similarly complex financial matters, and can relate to you their own experiences in the past with these individuals.  Once you have gone through all of these steps, it is important to meet not only with your prospective attorney but also with the support staff or other attorneys that they will be relying upon in assisting them with your case.  A complex divorce often requires a team effort, and as such you should be comfortable working not only with the leader of your legal team but also with anyone else, including support staff, associates, accountants and other experts, your attorney may rely upon.  Speak candidly with your attorney about their past experiences in dealing with similar cases.  Assess whether their management and professional style will compliment or conflict with your own, and be clear about your own expectations.   

Alberto Romero, Jr. is an associate attorney with the Tampa firm of Sessums Mason & Black, P.A., where he devotes 100% of his practice to family law.