The decision to divorce is not an easy one and nor is the decision which solicitor should represent you. We’ve come up with 5 simple tips which should help you find the ideal divorce solicitor to help you through your divorce. Don’t use your normal solicitor – you might already have a solicitor from when you’ve sold your house, it’s nice to build up a good working relationship with your existing solicitor but they might not be best suited to the situation. Much like you wouldn’t get a carpenter to repair a leaky tap, you’re better off getting a solicitor who is a divorce specialist representing you. Solicitors tend to specialise in certain areas and it really helps to get the right horse for the right course. Visit them in person – your emotional and financial well-being may well be affected by the outcome of your divorce and the decision about who represents you shouldn’t be taken lightly. You may well have to tell them secrets about your relationship and almost certainly will have to reveal your financial circumstances as well, so it’s important to finding a divorce solicitor you trust and feel comfortable talking to in person. Check their experience – while each relationship breakdown is different and unique, it’s important to check that your solicitor has had relevant divorce experience. For example if you see your settlement going to court, be sure to check whether they have had any courtroom exposure in similar cases. It might also be worth asking if they have any testimonials from their other clients. Ask about fees – don’t be scared to approach the subject of cost from the outset. It’s vital to know how much the solicitor’s services will cost you. Don’t feel embarrassed asking, they will be used to being asked and normally are quite upfront about their fees. While it is probably not the best strategy to choose your solicitor by price alone don’t be afraid to shop around. Go with your gut feeling – at the end of the day you will be placing quite a lot of trust in the person you choose to represent you, so you should go with your heart. Someone might be perfectly qualified, with lots of experience and competitively priced but something doesn’t quite feel right – if that’s the case you shouldn’t have a problem with looking elsewhere. You don’t have to be friends with your divorce solicitor but a good relationship certainly helps! Chris Norton writes for Armchair Advice. Visit Armchair Advice for specialist job loss and divorce advice. Whether you require emotional support, financial guidance, employment law or family law solicitors, you can find them all at Armchair Advice. For more information please visit Armchair Advice.