Where Does He Begin?

[mukiman]

CALIFORNIA
For those who have read my past posts, bear with me here. For those who have not here is the situation.
My good friend just filed for divorce after his wife of 18 years decided she did not love him anymore. (with little or no notice)
They have 3 kids, 15,13 and 7. He is an emotional wreck since he was very much in love with her, which is making this whole divorce process all that more difficult.
He offered her a fair settlement based on the disso here in Ca. and equally splitting everything, including child custody, plus giving her the truck (she asked for) which is 2 payments away from being paid off.He did this with the hope that they could handle all this without attorneys.
Of course she wants more more more.
OBVIOUSLY, he needs a good lawyer. BUT, how in the world do you begin to find one when you have no one who has a referal for you???
He has too much to lose to trust the yellow pages and I feel is not up to the daily lawyer interviewing process.
Anyone familiar with cut throat divorce lawyers in our area or a resource to find one? (Riverside, Redlands, San Bernardino, Ca. area?) Anyone care to make a prediction as to what he can expect his outcome to be? He owns his own business,(mortgage) which has declined greatly over the past year.
PLEASE only sincere answers........no sarcasm or criticism needed. (Belize)
Thanks, Muki

 

[LdiJ]

Well....she obviously can't ask for more than half of their marital assets...and if he is agreeing to an even split, then I would assume they aren't disagreeing on that.

So what areas ARE they disagreeing about? Identifying those may help.

 

[mukiman]

Well....she obviously can't ask for more than half of their marital assets...and if he is agreeing to an even split, then I would assume they aren't disagreeing on that.

So what areas ARE they disagreeing about? Identifying those may help.

Basically alimony and duration. She is 38/39 (in excellent health)and worked the first 5-6 years they were married. (then because of the kids she stopped) She also ran a photography biz part time while they were married. Additionally, they separated in June and for the past 2/3 months she has been working on the side for her brother in law doing interior design plans. (she has been in interior design classes for the past year and a half at the community college.She is going for maximum support indefinitely. He offered 4000.00 a month (child support 1000.00 each child) plus half the business value 200,000.00 (for each of them) and he gave her ALL the house hold possessions furniture etc. and a truck that is basically paid for. (2003 chevy, with custom lift wheels etc). She has some divorced friends and wanna be attorney types coaxing her to go for the throat..... Your thoughts???
And HOW does he find a GOOD lawyer in our area??? He needs a REALLY experinced "mean " one.
Thanks, Muki