If you think there are problems with your divorce proceeding, it may be easy to blame your attorney. After all, you hired your lawyer to protect your rights and assert your interests as you begin a new life. However, there may be situations where your attorney is not the problem, and the law is simply not on your side.

In such emotionally charged situations, it may be difficult to differentiate between the two. However, there are certain clues that can guide you to the truth. This post will highlight some of them.

Your attorney doesn’t answer your questions – Every divorce will have situations where you need answers quickly. There will undoubtedly be situations where you may not be able to communicate with your attorney as quickly as you want to, but your attorney should have some accessibility to help you defuse tense situations. Also, if you feel as if your lawyer is ignoring your requests, he or she may be the problem in your divorce.

Your attorney is a bully – The “bulldog” “take no prisoners” attorney may seem like the ideal person to handle your divorce. After all, you want someone who can take charge of the situation. However, if your lawyer belittles your concerns and bullies you into choices you are not comfortable with, it may be time to find someone else.

Promises are not kept – It may go without saying, but your attorney should be very cautious about making promises about your case. However, your lawyer should be able to guarantee a certain level of expertise and communication with you. If these promises are not kept, your attorney may be the problem.

Source: Forbes.com “Divorcing women: Five signs you might need a new attorney,” Jeff Landers, January 30, 2014