Unless you have a proper IC puller, or some other device that can get under and lift both sides at the same time, then the trick is to ease each side up a very small amount at a time, and then go to the other side. That should help prevent you from bending the pins.

I've heard the point of the plastic shirt pocket clip on a Bic biro lid can be good for this. Being plastic rather than metal you run less chance of destroying pins if your hand slips. Otherwise maybe a painter's putty knife?

If you do end up with any bent pins, a retractable pencil is often suggested for straightening them. Remove the lead and use the pencil's lead gripper in the tip to surround the pin and gently bend it back to vertical.