Lawyer for a divorce, Bay Area (peninsula ideal)
January 8, 2016 3:50 PM Subscribe
A friend needs a good lawyer.
I've seen this old question, but that was ten years ago. If anyone has a lawyer to recommend, it'd be much appreciated.
I've seen this old question, but that was ten years ago. If anyone has a lawyer to recommend, it'd be much appreciated.
The California State Bar has some good advice on how to find a lawyer; you can fill out a form with the legal requirements and locations you need.
posted by vickyverky at 4:22 PM on January 8, 2016
posted by vickyverky at 4:22 PM on January 8, 2016
Response by poster: Thanks. Not to threadsit, but I realize I should have made the question clearer. My friend knows how to find a lawyer, but is hoping someone local can recommend a specific person or firm.
posted by tangerine at 4:33 PM on January 8, 2016
posted by tangerine at 4:33 PM on January 8, 2016
I should have made the question clearer
Yes! Add some detail. I don't know that one-size-fits-all family law attorney recommendations are useful. There are raving lunatic lawyers, who have their uses if the soon-to-be ex is a raving lunatic, and there are friendly and gentle 'collaborative' 'mediation-oriented' lawyers, who have their uses if everything is friendly, and then everything in between.
If it is any sort of mess beyond 'done here, file papers,' the friend will be well off looking for personality that appeals, too; s/he will end up discusssing many tedious and embarrassing details. In my experience, it is most pleasant to work with somebody who is a little bit the same flavour as yourself -- Google attorney names and see if you can't figure out what their hobbies, interests, preferred charities, etc, are, and look for a reasonably good match. In theory they're all perfectly objective and professional and that doesn't matter; in practice you get much better service if you both wish to step outside for a cigarette, or both like the same kind of pens, or whatever.
posted by kmennie at 7:06 PM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yes! Add some detail. I don't know that one-size-fits-all family law attorney recommendations are useful. There are raving lunatic lawyers, who have their uses if the soon-to-be ex is a raving lunatic, and there are friendly and gentle 'collaborative' 'mediation-oriented' lawyers, who have their uses if everything is friendly, and then everything in between.
If it is any sort of mess beyond 'done here, file papers,' the friend will be well off looking for personality that appeals, too; s/he will end up discusssing many tedious and embarrassing details. In my experience, it is most pleasant to work with somebody who is a little bit the same flavour as yourself -- Google attorney names and see if you can't figure out what their hobbies, interests, preferred charities, etc, are, and look for a reasonably good match. In theory they're all perfectly objective and professional and that doesn't matter; in practice you get much better service if you both wish to step outside for a cigarette, or both like the same kind of pens, or whatever.
posted by kmennie at 7:06 PM on January 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, kmennie. Those are good points. I hope the following details help:
No need for a raving lunatic. Things have been mostly amicable. Until recently I'd have said a "friendly, gentle, 'collaborative'" attorney would be fine, and that might still be true, but a few concerns have emerged which seem likely to entail some "mess beyond 'done here, file papers'".
There's a significant income discrepancy, and my friend (the higher-income partner) has developed some doubts about the other partner's financial responsibility. They have two kids. As an added complication, they're separated and living in different states.
As to the personality fit: my friend is hyperverbal, left-wing; arts and humanities background and mindset, but working in tech. (Like a lot of people here, I guess.)
posted by tangerine at 11:12 AM on January 9, 2016
No need for a raving lunatic. Things have been mostly amicable. Until recently I'd have said a "friendly, gentle, 'collaborative'" attorney would be fine, and that might still be true, but a few concerns have emerged which seem likely to entail some "mess beyond 'done here, file papers'".
There's a significant income discrepancy, and my friend (the higher-income partner) has developed some doubts about the other partner's financial responsibility. They have two kids. As an added complication, they're separated and living in different states.
As to the personality fit: my friend is hyperverbal, left-wing; arts and humanities background and mindset, but working in tech. (Like a lot of people here, I guess.)
posted by tangerine at 11:12 AM on January 9, 2016
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posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:10 PM on January 8, 2016