Look for a lawyer who will help you find legal and practical solutions. Find out about the cost of the lawyer and when payments must be made. Ask friends who have gone through a divorce what they liked or didn't like about their lawyer. Go to Family Court and spend some time watching the lawyers in the court room. Interview several lawyers before deciding upon one.
Most lawyers have no fees or reduced fees for the initial interview.
You and your spouse cannot hire the same lawyer. If your spouse has a lawyer, and you have decided not to hire a lawyer, it will help if you tell your spouse's lawyer that you will be representing yourself so that you can start talking about the issues which need to be resolved. You may also benefit from consulting with a lawyer once an agreement has been worked out to insure that what you have agreed to makes practical and legal sense. The responsibility of the Spouse with a Lawyer Even if you have hired a lawyer to represent you, the lawyer's job is to advise you, not to make your decisions for you. You need to keep informed of how the process works, and your choices, so that you can make the best decisions for yourself.