Hiring a divorce attorney is the crucial first step in protecting yourself (and your children) as you navigate your divorce. It's important to get it right.

In our first of a 12-part series, Attorney Melissa Needle, partner at Westport CT-based law firm Needle Cuda, shares some valuable advice about hiring a divorce attorney. Daniel and Wendy talk to Melissa about what to look for when hiring an attorney, and Melissa explains some important do's and don’ts. She also shares her expert advice about how laws differ from state to state, how to avoid the mistakes most people make when getting a divorce, and more. Winner of multiple awards for client satisfaction and a top-ranked family and divorce attorney for more than 30 years, Melissa has provided “Guidance that moves lives forward” to countless clients, helping them safeguard what’s most important.