What to Look for in a Divorce Attorney
You Need Supportive, Aggressive Representation
Navigating a divorce can be a life-altering and gut-wrenching experience, even if you and your spouse can maintain civility. With the magnitude of decisions you must make and the unfamiliarity of the court system, having an attorney who can provide emotional support during this process is crucial. At the Law Offices of Ellen L. Lee, our founding attorney draws on her background in psychology and counseling to offer you the support you need. However, we are not afraid to be tough and aggressive when advocating for your interests.
The Advantage of an Effective Divorce Lawyer
An exceptional divorce attorney goes beyond handling paperwork. Our divorce law firm guides clients through every stage of the process, including mediation, settlement negotiations, and trial, if necessary. You need a lawyer who will fiercely advocate for your interests concerning matters like property division, spousal support, child custody, and child support. Having a lawyer who listens to your concerns and addresses them with compassion is equally important.
Finding the Right Lawyer
Choosing the right lawyer to handle your divorce is a significant decision. You will be relying on this attorney to guide you through what can be an emotional and challenging event in your life. Consider the following factors when selecting a divorce lawyer in Maryland:
- Experience: Has the lawyer handled cases similar to yours? Have they represented clients through all stages of the process, including trial? Do they have experience with a range of family law issues?
- Track record: Have previous clients had positive experiences with the attorney?
- Accessibility: Will you be able to easily reach your attorney when needed? Will they promptly respond to your calls, emails, and letters?
- Involvement: Will you primarily communicate with the divorce attorney directly or with paralegals and legal assistants?
- Reputation: Is the lawyer well-known and respected among other divorce lawyers in Maryland?
Over 35 Years of Experience in Montgomery County, Maryland Family Law
Working with an experienced divorce and family law attorney who has served individuals and families in Montgomery County, Maryland for over three decades offers numerous benefits.
Ellen L. Lee uses her wealth of experience to inform every aspect of the firm. She applies her comprehensive understanding of Maryland family law while navigating the intricacies of the local legal system to facilitate a less stressful and more efficient divorce process for the client.
Over the years, our office has built strong relationships within the legal community, including with court personnel and other attorneys. These connections can often also contribute to smoother case handling.
By combining sound legal counsel with deeply-informed emotional support, we guide our clients through the complexities of their cases, helping them make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals while setting a positive trajectory for their future.
Our Lead Divorce Attorney Has a Background in Counseling and Psychology — To Meet You Where You Are and Strategically Move You Forward Into Your Next Life Chapter
Having a divorce attorney with a strong background in counseling and psychology can offer you significant benefits in your Maryland divorce case. Many emotional complexities accompany divorce, and in our office we emphasize the importance of providing empathetic support while helping clients manage feelings of anger, fear, and grief — reducing the psychological stress of the process.
Our founding attorney’s counseling background positions her extremely well to facilitate constructive communication between the parties, which can lead to more amicable resolutions and improved post-divorce relationships. Her training in psychology in addition to over 35 years spent handling contentious divorce cases further enables her to effectively manage high-conflict situations and guide clients towards compromise.
Her empathetic and informed approach helps clients envision and move towards improved post-divorce life conditions by:
- Assisting the setting of realistic expectations
- Making informed decisions that align with long-term goals
- Transitioning into the new life phase
We take a holistic approach to meet clients where they are emotionally and psychologically, providing not only legal representation, but also emotional support and guidance towards a healthier future.
Our Founding Attorney is Central and Involved in the Direction of Your Divorce Case
Our founding attorney, Ellen L. Lee, is involved from the very beginning of a divorce case, streamlining and coordinating the process to enhance your overall client experience. With over 35 years of family law practice in Montgomery County, Maryland, she brings to the table a depth of knowledge and understanding of the local court systems, laws, and procedures.
She is involved in the initial consultation and strategy development phase is crucial, setting the tone for the entire case. In our initial information-gathering meeting, we will identify key issues, develop a comprehensive strategy, and provide valuable advice and direction. This early involvement facilitates the efficient and effective handling of the case from start to finish.
Beyond providing legal knowledge, our founding lead divorce attorney also plays a pivotal role in guiding the legal staff, ensuring the team is well-coordinated, understands the case strategy, and works diligently towards achieving each unique client’s goals.
Our welcoming, supportive environment at our boutique law office helps to ease the stress often associated with divorce-related matters and proceedings. This helps us to provide effective, personalized attention to each case, ensuring that you feel heard, understood, and valued.
Ellen L. Lee remains involved from the outset of your case to greatly enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall experience of your divorce case.
Schedule a Consultation Today
At the Law Offices of Ellen L. Lee, our Maryland divorce attorney offers compassionate support and aggressive representation. Contact us today at (301) 279-0692(301) 279-0692 to schedule a consultation.
We offer you the flexibility to schedule your initial information-gathering session in person at our boutique law office in Rockville, Maryland, through video conference via Zoom, or over the phone. To accommodate your needs, we provide evening and weekend appointments, ensuring a convenient and tailored experience.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Ellen L. Lee, LLC
Ellen L. Lee has devoted over 35 years of unwavering commitment to aiding individuals and families in Montgomery County, Maryland with their family law needs. Grounded in counseling and psychology, she provides personalized guidance and assistance to her clients in an inviting atmosphere — prioritizing effective communication while forging new beginnings amidst family law disputes.
- Tenacious & Compassionate Legal Support
- Trusted Guidance that Exceeds Expectations
- Full Range of Family Law Services
- Flexible Consultation Times: Nights and Weekends are Available
- Over 35 Years of Experience Practicing Family Law in Montgomery County, Maryland
Our Founding Attorney conveniently meets with clients via phone, video conference, or in person at our office in Rockville, Maryland.
Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (301) 279-0692
Questions or Schedule An Appointment? Click to Call (301) 279-0692
Ask a Question, Describe Your Situation,
Request a Consultation
Fill out the form below or feel free to call us at (301) 279-0692(301) 279-0692
Our FAQ
Will I Lose Everything to My Spouse?
No, you will not lose everything to your spouse. In determining division of property, the courts look at numerous factors, such as the earning power of each spouse, the length of the marriage, and the assets each spouse brought into the marriage. Maryland courts try to issue divorce decrees that are fair. Our attorney is skilled at effectively preparing and presenting the evidence to seek your fair share.
What If My Spouse Is Hiding Money, Income or Assets?
We will work to uncover hidden money, income or assets using all means legally available, including sending subpoenas to employers, businesses, banks and close friends or relatives of a spouse. When appropriate, we will work with forensic accountants, private investigators and other professionals to help trace and locate the hidden assets.
Do I Have to Pay All of the Attorney’s Fees Myself?
Under limited circumstances, courts permit fee-shifting in Maryland. In fee-shifting, the court will “shift” the payment of legal fees from one spouse to the other. This sometimes happens when one spouse is better able than the other spouse to afford the legal fees. For example, if you stayed home while your spouse pursued his or her career for the past 20 years, a court may order your spouse to pay some or all of your divorce attorney’s fees. We are sensitive to the financial disparities faced by many women in divorce and custody cases. For this reason, we work hard to maintain reasonable legal fees while providing the highest quality of legal representation.
How Much Will My Divorce Cost?
We take pride in the quality of our work and in our ability to keep our fees reasonable and competitive in the D.C. metro area. The cost of divorce is determined by the extent to which one or both parties choose to litigate, rather than negotiate. At the Law Offices of Ellen L. Lee, we do not operate a “volume” practice in which you are just another file. We provide experienced and aggressive representation, focusing on the individual needs of each client. As a result, we will be neither your least nor your most expensive option for a Maryland divorce attorney.
How Long Will My Divorce Take?
The time frame for a divorce in Maryland can be difficult to predict. You should be cautious of any attorney who promises to complete a divorce in a certain period of time. Many factors affect the length of a divorce, such as:
- The degree to which you and your spouse agree on issues
- The cooperation between you and your spouse
- The court schedule in a particular county
In those rare cases when both spouses agree on every issue, a divorce can be completed in a few weeks. When the parties disagree on important issues such as custody, support or division of property, a divorce can take a year or more. If fraud or concealment of assets is involved, a divorce can take several years.
What Is the Effect of My Divorce on My Estate Plan?
The impact will vary widely depending on the type of estate plan you have. We encourage all of our clients to address this issue during or immediately following their divorce.
Will an Extramarital Affair Have an Impact on My Divorce?
The facts of the case will determine the extent to which an extramarital affair will affect the distribution of property. It is relevant, for example, whether marital assets were squandered on the affair. An affair also can affect the court’s decisions about child custody. When an affair is involved, we work diligently with our clients to make sure the child custody arrangements protect the child’s physical and psychological well-being.
Related Blogs
What Happens If Your Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers in Rockville, MD?
No one gets married expecting to end up in divorce. When it becomes your reality,…
Can You Date While Going Through Divorce in Rockville, MD?
If you’re going through a divorce in Rockville, Maryland, you might be asking yourself, “Can…
Who Gets the House in a Divorce in Rockville, Maryland
Facing a divorce in Rockville, Maryland? Your mind is probably racing with questions, and one…