Every family faces difficult times. There are many ways families can be torn apart, but divorce is one of the most common and stressful. This process involves navigating a complex legal system, making emotional decisions about custody and property, and determining how to move on with your life after you've split from your spouse. The first thing to do is find an experienced divorce attorney. It can be hard enough just going through this process without having to worry about whether the person you hired knows what they're doing or not.

Luckily, finding a good attorney doesn't have to be difficult. Here are some things you should look for when hiring a divorce lawyer.

1. Experience

Experience is probably the most important thing to look for in a divorce lawyer. If you have a complicated case or require a lot of legal services, you need someone well-versed in all aspects of family law. Whether it's child custody disputes, division of property and assets, spousal support agreements, prenuptial agreements, or other related issues, the last thing you want is to hire an attorney who has not helped someone with your specific problem before.

2. Reputation

It's important to learn everything you can about the reputation of an attorney before hiring them. Look at their background, read what other people have said about them on review sites like Yelp or Google, and make sure they are well-regarded in the community.

3. Availability

You should also look for a lawyer who is responsive and easy to get in touch with when you need them most. This is especially important if you're going through a custody battle or trying to settle a dispute about assets and property. You don't want your lawyer playing hardball with you when it comes time to hammer out the details of your agreement, but instead, want someone who is there for your best interest at all times.

4. Honesty

Finally, choose someone who is honest with you. A good lawyer will lay out their plan, track record, and general expectations right at the beginning of the case so that there are no surprises later on. If you feel like your attorney isn't being completely candid with you or is hiding something instead of helping you, then it's time to go back to the drawing board and look for someone who is a better fit.

5. Communication

Your lawyer should be someone you can get in touch with easily so that they can answer your questions thoroughly and completely whenever necessary. A good attorney knows your rights, how the process works, and has up-to-date knowledge of the law. This means that you shouldn't have to spend hours or days trying to get the answers you need.

Unfortunately, almost half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce or separation (per Wilkinson and Finkbeiner). This is an incredibly stressful experience for everyone involved, but it doesn't have to be if you choose the right person to help you through it.