Becoming a lawyer is a great career choice and one that can cause a big change to your lifestyle. Suppose you’re considering becoming a divorce lawyer. In that case, you’ll need to consider how this decision will affect your current lifestyle, shape your future, and what you’ll need to do to make the transition. Here are some things to remember if you’re considering becoming a divorce lawyer.
1. There’s No Shortage of Business
Yes, divorces are booming. Around 45% of first marriages in the United States end in divorce, and the divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher. This high rate of divorce means that there’s plenty of business for divorce lawyers. However, this isn’t always a good thing. The divorce rate has been increasing for years, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. If you become a divorce lawyer, prepare for long hours and plenty of work.
2. You’ll Need Thick Skin
You’ll need thick skin if you’re considering becoming a divorce lawyer. Dealing with clients going through a divorce can be emotionally charged and complex. You’ll need a high level of maturity when conducting business and meetings with clients and couples who are, arguably, undergoing one of the worst experiences in their life. Fortunately, around 28% of divorce lawyers are over 45 and under 54, meaning they’ve likely had time to develop the emotional maturity needed for this job. If you’re younger, you’ll just need to work a little bit harder to prove yourself and develop the maturity and thick skin to do the job effectively.
3. You’ll Need Excellent Time Management Skills
No matter what area of law you practice, you’ll need to be able to think quickly and have time for new clients at a moment’s notice. For instance, California state law requires people to contact the police within 24 hours if they’re injured in a car accident. This law means that accident lawyers need to be available 24/7 to take on new clients. The same is true for divorce lawyers. Because divorce is such an emotionally charged process, you’ll need to be available to meet with clients at all hours of the day and night. This means that excellent time management skills are a must if you want to become a divorce lawyer.
4. You’ll Need to Be Comfortable with Public Speaking
Public speaking is a key component of being a lawyer, no matter what area of law you practice. If you’re considering becoming a divorce lawyer, you’ll need to be comfortable with public speaking. You’ll need to be able to give confident and persuasive speeches in order to win cases. This is why so many lawyers are also members of the Toastmasters International club, which helps people develop their public speaking skills. If you’re not a natural public speaker, don’t worry. With practice, you can develop the skills you need to be successful.
5. You’ll Need to Be Comfortable with Conflict
Divorces can be messy, and you’ll need to be comfortable with conflict if you want to become a divorce lawyer. You’ll need to be able to handle clients who are upset and emotional, and you’ll also need to be able to deal with the opposing counsel in a calm and professional manner. This doesn’t mean that you have to be a bully or a pushover, but you’ll need to be able to find a middle ground between the two extremes.
6. You’ll Need an Understanding of Human Behavior
If you’re considering becoming a divorce lawyer, you should have an understanding of human behavior and lifestyle choices. This is because much of your job will involve dealing with people who are going through one of the most emotionally charged experiences of their life. You’ll need to be able to understand their emotions, have patience and compassion, and be able to empathize with their situation.
While you might understand the schooling requirements, these tips above will give you a better sense of what it will be like to actually practice divorce law. You must understand both the good and the bad of the job before you decide to become a divorce lawyer.
