Is your attorney up to scratch or are you itching for change?

Going through divorce can cause you to feel a great deal of stress. You may want to do your best to lessen that stress as much as possible, but certain circumstances may prove unavoidable. As you work through your case, you will likely want to gain professional assistance in order to pass some of the workload and decision-making onto a knowledgeable individual who should make your legal situation, at the very least, somewhat easier.

Though you may have hired an attorney in hopes of gaining an advocate who would look out for your best interests, you may find yourself feeling displeased with his or her services. As a result, you may also begin to wonder whether you have the option of finding new legal counsel.

Can you change attorneys?

First, you do have the option of hiring and firing your legal counsel as you please. Your attorney works for you, and therefore, you should remain vigilant in assessing that person’s services. If one individual does not seem to have held up his or her end of the deal, you may explore other options and find a lawyer better suited to your needs and desires.

Why should you change attorneys?

Individuals can have a variety of reasons for wanting to sever ties with one legal professional in order to gain the assistance of another. Though you may simply have an uneasy feeling regarding your current legal counsel, you may wish to pinpoint the issues so you can work to avoid finding yourself in a similar situation with a new attorney. Some common reasons for an unsuccessful attorney-client relationship include:

  • Miscommunication – If your current attorney uses legalese frequently or fails to explain your legal situation in a manner that you fully understand, you may not feel confident in his or her services.
  • Availability – Though many attorneys often have several cases to handle at once, you should have the ability to reach your legal counsel when needed. If you have burning questions or need clarification on an important part of your case, you likely want someone who can answer those questions promptly.
  • Direct contact – In a similar vein, you may feel that you do not have enough direct contact with your attorney. Though you hired the individual to assist in your case, you may find your emails and phone calls going answered by other staff members. As a result, you may not feel the sense of connection and confidence that creates a solid professional relationship.

When faced with such a predicament, an important aspect to remember is that you have other options available. By exploring alternatives to your current legal counsel, you may have the ability to obtain the assistance of an experienced Pennsylvania attorney who makes you feel more at ease.

Archives

FindLaw Network