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How do I find a good divorce lawyer?
One of the best ways to find a lawyer who practises in a particular field is to call a lawyer referral service. Most provinces have this service and usually there is a toll-free number available so that you do not have to pay long distance charges if you are outside a major city. See the Department of Justice Canada's website for a list of services.
In Alberta, this service is found in the white pages of the telephone book under the listing Law Society of Alberta Lawyer Referral Service and the number for all of Alberta is 1-800-661-1095. If you call this number, you will be given the names of three lawyers near you who practice in the area of law you are interested in. You may then make an appointment with one or all of them to assess your case. You will be given one half-hour interview at a nominal charge. You must then decide if you would like to hire one of the lawyers to handle your case. The lawyer's normal hourly rates will apply after the initial interview.
Another good way to find a lawyer is to ask for referrals from others who have been through a divorce and were pleased with the services of their lawyer. You can also check the yellow pages under Lawyers. Many lawyers advertise there and will state if Matrimonial Law is one of their areas of practice. The most important thing is to find a person you feel comfortable with and with whom you can communicate well.
Many lawyers who practise in the area of family law, now practise Collaborative Family Law. These lawyers endeavour to work together for the good of their clients and to try to make the process less adversarial. For more information on how to find a collaborative family lawyer in your area contact your provincial Law Society. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada website contains links to provincial law societies.
June 2006
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