Does Your Divorce Lawyer Have to be Local?

In the age of video conferences and unparalleled digital connection, you might be wondering whether you actually need to search your local area for a local divorce lawyer. Can’t you just do it all online? Isn’t there some quick and easy app you can use to resolve your divorce and avoid all the hassle of actually working with someone in a face-to-face manner? These are understandable questions, especially since filling out paperwork and completing all kinds of other legal processes can now be handled online. So, does your divorce lawyer have to be local?

The first thing you need to understand is that you and your divorce lawyer will develop a close working relationship over the next few months. You really need to work with someone you can trust – someone you feel comfortable with. The only way to really gauge a lawyer’s personality is to meet with them face-to-face. You can do this by booking a consultation with a local lawyer in North Carolina. The first consultation is usually free of charge, and this gives you a chance to evaluate a prospective lawyer without committing yourself financially.

Let’s face it – most people who go through divorces do not have much legal experience. This means that when you are assessing a potential lawyer during a consultation, you will be relying on your instincts and “gut feelings” rather than legal knowledge. Make no mistake – your instincts can be useful in this situation, and it is always a good idea to trust them. If a lawyer gives you a good feeling during the consultation, you should probably trust that feeling and let them handle your divorce. Another lawyer might have impressive credentials or considerable experience, but they might not be a good choice if you get a bad vibe.

If you are pursuing a collaborative divorce, hiring a local lawyer can be especially important. A collaborative divorce is typically much more intimate and civilized compared to a litigated divorce, and it involves private negotiations with your spouse and their lawyer. This process is typically cheaper, quicker, and less stressful than a traditional, trial-based divorce. However, it only works if you hire lawyers with the necessary skills and experience.

Local lawyers are especially helpful in collaborative divorces for a number of reasons. First of all, it makes the process more convenient. Since you will be meeting privately with your spouse and their attorneys during negotiations, you need to choose a location that is convenient for everyone. If your attorney’s office is located hours away from the negotiation room, it can lead to needless delays.

It is even more important to work with someone you can trust if you are pursuing a collaborative divorce. Your attorney will be negotiating on your behalf as you draft a separation agreement, and you need to choose a legal professional who you feel comfortable working with. These negotiations occur in close quarters, and they are often somewhat informal in nature. This means that meeting with your attorney face-to-face and evaluating their personality is crucial.

In addition, local lawyers have a greater understanding of local laws and regulations. Even though you might feel tempted to hire a “hot-shot” attorney from New York, these lawyers might be unfamiliar with local laws in North Carolina. This can lead to serious issues, especially when you pursue a collaborative divorce. If the separation agreement contains certain errors, it will be invalidated when it goes before a judge. An out-of-state attorney might include certain conditions within your agreement that violate North Carolina’s divorce laws.

Lastly, you should know that there is no app or online service that can handle your divorce from start to finish. The technology simply does not exist, and it is hard to imagine how this could ever be possible in the future. Divorces must be handled in person, and you must hire a lawyer in order to resolve this situation. Maybe someday we will reach the point where we can handle divorces online, but we are not there yet.

If you have been searching the North Carolina area for a divorce attorney, look no further than Arnold & Smith, PLLC. Over the years, we have helped numerous spouses in North Carolina resolve their divorces and move on with their lives. We have a strong understanding of local laws and regulations, and we have considerable experience with collaborative divorce. Book your consultation today to learn more.