When you are choosing annulment lawyers, check your local telephone directory for a listing of attorneys who practice in the area of family or domestic law. Talk to friends or co-workers who have recently gone through an annulment or divorce to see who they might recommend. Ask the attorney about her fees, as well as whether she handles contested annulments, uncontested annulments, or both. Finally, check with the licensing agency in your jurisdiction to see if complaints have been filed against this person for misconduct.
Check the business listings for attorneys in your phone book. Try to determine if any of these individuals practice solely in the area of marital relations, sometimes referred to as domestic law. In some cases, annulment lawyers may advertise their services under one of these categories, to let members of the public know they are familiar with this type of cases.
Family, friends, and co-workers who have recently been separated from their spouses can often be a good source of information on annulment lawyers. Ask these people who they hired to perform these services for them. You can also get a good idea of the attorney's work ethic and personality by talking to her former or current clients.
Many annulment lawyers require an initial deposit or fee, which is sometimes known as a retainer, before they begin working on your case. Inquire as to the amount of this fee and what services it covers. You may want to compare this amount with fees of other practitioners in your area, in order to make sure it is reasonable.
You should have an idea as to whether or not your spouse may raise objections to the annulment. If you anticipate him to contest this issue, you may have to take the matter before a judge. Find out if the annulment lawyers you are considering accept these types of cases. Many attorneys accept only uncontested annulments, which means that there is no dispute as to whether or not the marriage can be dissolved.
Most of the time, attorneys must be admitted to what is known as a bar association in order to practice law. Clients who feel this person did not justly defend them in their legal matters may file a complaint with this agency. Check with this organization to see if any such allegations have been made concerning the person you are considering hiring.
Getting a divorce or annulment can be a stressful situation for many people. It might also create financial difficulties. Seeking the services of qualified annulment lawyers can sometimes reduce the anxiety associated with this life-altering event.