Choosing a Lawyer

The Civil Divorce^™

The sensible approach to a new life

Choosing a lawyer

Choosing a Massachusetts divorce lawyer is more than just picking a name. It means    establishing a sensitive relationship that can last for months.

Friends can be good sources of referrals. But be careful. You can’t choose a lawyer based on someone else’s opinion. Try to meet in person with several Massachusetts divorce attorneys.    Write out questions beforehand, and pay attention to the responses you get.

Some questions to ask:

• What percent of your practice deals with Massachusetts divorce law?

• How long have you been practicing Massachusetts divorce law?

• How do you keep current on changes in the law?

• What is your policy on telephone calls, fees, and billing?

• How long will this take? What's the basic process?

When you ask these questions, listen to the answer you get. Did the lawyer really listen?              Did he or she “talk down” to you or seem unable to give simple answers to your questions?         Did the lawyer take phone calls while meeting with you (not a good sign)? If the lawyer       doesn't have the time or patience to answer your questions and explain the legal process                in simple language, continue your search.

Put a strong emphasis on your comfort level. To work together, you must feel     comfortable, especially in divorce, where so much is so personal. If you and the lawyer               just don't "click," trust your gut.

Am I better off with a big law firm?

For divorce, I truly believe a small office offers distinct advantages. Here are some:

Personal attention. You’ll always deal with me, not a paralegal or secretary. I have the        latest computer capability, and I’ve spent much time and money on material and software dedicated to Massachusetts divorce law.

Lower legal fees. I'm a sole practitioner with a part-time assistant. This allows me to      structure my fees to be more realistic. I don't have a glitzy office or expensive payroll.                  My office is neat and pleasant, but you won't find an elegant grandfather clock or a view               of Boston Harbor (and you also won't pay for them).

About me

• Percent of practice devoted to Massachusetts divorce and family law: 100%

• Do you offer a flat fee for uncontested divorce? Yes.

• Mediation offered? Yes.

• Do you offer partial services and coaching to avoid the cost of full representation? Yes.

• Legal malpractice insurance coverage: $250,000/$500,000

• Number of years in practice: 26

• Number of malpractice claims during career: 0 

Atty. Daniel E. Dalton
885 Main St. (Rte. 38), Suite 10A
Tewksbury, MA 01876
Tel. 978-851-2444
Dalton@usa.net

Disclaimer: Material presented in this site and in the links within it are intended for information purposes only. The material is not intended and should not be construed as professional advice. If legal or other professional assistance is needed, seek the services of a competent professional.

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