When it comes to divorce, we frequently see or hear from clients who want to hire a lawyer of a particular gender. Clients often believe that having a male or female attorney will benefit their case. Women who believe they have been exploited in their marriage may think that a male attorney will be more assertive and battle harder for them. Some males believe that having a female attorney will make them all look more empathetic, particularly in custody and parenting time matters.
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Learn more about the things to consider when shopping for a divorce attorney in Michigan.
Does the gender of your attorney make a difference in the outcome of your case? Should you hire a lawyer of your gender on the assumption that they will better understand what you’re going through, or should you hire an attorney of the opposite sex on the assumption that they will bring something to the case that you won’t?
What Matters Most When Selecting a Divorce Attorney
Those who believe that hiring a divorce counsel of a specific gender can aid their cause are frequently disappointed. Remember that divorce proceedings are not handled by juries, so your attorney’s sexual orientation will not sway the decision of a group of your peers.
When divorce matters proceed to trial, a judge hears them. I can promise you that although your attorney may influence the judge, the gender of your attorney will not! Local court judges are almost probably familiar with lawyers with extensive divorce expertise. To the extent that the judges care about who your attorney is, they will be interested in the attorney’s competence, morals, and preparation—not gender.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that relatively few divorce cases, perhaps less than five percent, proceed to trial. Most divorces are resolved amicably. If you depend on gender prejudices, you may believe that a male attorney would not pull back and will get you what you want, or that a female attorney will be a better speaker and will come up with ingenious settlement options. In some circumstances, you may be correct, but what counts more is the attorney’s personality and expertise, not their gender.
Choosing the Best Divorce Attorney for You
A judge may not care about your attorney’s gender, nor will it hinder their ability to assist you in reaching a settlement. That being said, you may feel more at ease working with an attorney of one gender or the other, which is perfectly fine. Your lawyer is your guide through a difficult path, and you must feel at ease with the working relationship. When your world appears to be spinning out of control, you need someone you can trust.
Aside from your comfort level with your lawyer, consider these factors: your attorney’s experience, particularly with divorce cases and situations similar to yours; your attorney’s ethics; and your attorney’s reputation with other lawyers and the courts.
Talk to a Goldman and Associates Divorce Attorney Today
You should feel free to talk to more than one divorce attorney before deciding who will work best for you. We encourage you to set up a consultation with Goldman and Associates so that we can talk about your needs and goals and the best strategies to reach them. Talk to us today!