how to interview divorce attorney

by Bettye Fahey 5 min read

How To Interview A Divorce Lawyer

  1. Start by seeking referrals. : If you know anyone who has been through the divorce process, you may wish to begin by asking them to recommend an attorney involved ...
  2. Set the stage with your first call. : Your initial call to a lawyer to set up a consultation may provide you with some useful information about what to ...
  3. Come prepared. : It would be helpful for you to know in advance of your consultation what are the one or two most important issues for you in the ...
  4. Be candid. : For a meaningful legal consultation, it is crucial for the attorney you are interviewing to be aware of all the information relevant to the important issues.
  5. Expose yourself. : When seeking legal advice in a divorce matter, you may sometimes be required to reveal intimate or embarrassing information about your spouse, your marriage, or more ...
  6. Ask questions. : You should expect, during your consultation with the lawyer, to get an education about the legal process and law applicable to your matter.
  7. Be wary of the sales pitch. : Some attorneys will listen to your concerns and will tell you everything you want to hear in order to persuade you to ...

Full Answer

What questions should I ask when hiring a lawyer?

Dec 30, 2021 · 1. Find, research and interview potential attorneys. The first step is typically a free consultation, which starts with an initial phone call to the divorce attorney’s office. Set a time to discuss the divorce, as well as the attorney’s experience and specialization in family law.

How do I know if a lawyer is reputable?

Dec 18, 2021 · How to Interview a Divorce Lawyer. Learn how to find the the right divorce attorney for you, because having someone you trust to advise you is important. Once you have found an attorney to interview (or ideally several attorneys), you should contact each attorney (by phone or email) and find out if they charge for the initial consultation.

Why do I need a lawyer for my case?

How to Interview a Divorce Lawyer. What exactly do you need to know before you hire a lawyer? Here are some questions to ask before you write a retainer check or sign on the dotted line. Concerning general experience, ask these questions: How many matrimonial cases have you handled? How many of those cases went to trial?

Do you fill out the Attorney checklist?

Aug 21, 2015 · The key is to know how to investigate and interview so that you find the right fit. Investigating Lawyers to Interview. The first step is to find attorneys to interview. The best way to start is to talk with people you know who have had a positive experience with their divorce attorney and find out what it is about their attorney that they liked.

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What do I need to know before hiring a divorce lawyer?

Ten Questions to Ask a Divorce AttorneyDo you specialize in divorces, or are divorces just a part of your practice? ... What is your strategy for my case? ... How long do you take to return phone calls? ... Will anyone else in your office be working on my case? ... How will you charge me?More items...

What should you ask for in a divorce?

Considerations to Make About What to Ask for in a Divorce SettlementMarital Home. ... Life Insurance and Health Insurance Policies. ... Division of Debt. ... Private School Tuition and College Tuition. ... Family Heirlooms and Jewelry. ... Parenting Time. ... Retirement Funds.

How do I interview a family lawyer?

Family Lawyer Interview Questions:How do you ensure a mediation between family members remains calm? ... How do you keep your clients up-to-date on their cases? ... Can you describe your hardest family law case? ... What are the most important factors of a will? ... What is your method for prioritizing cases?

What a woman should do to prepare for divorce?

9 Critical Steps Women Should Take To Prepare For DivorceGather your financial records. ... Open a Post Office Box. ... Start putting money away for legal and other professional fees. ... Open a new checking and savings account. ... Open new credit cards in your name only. ... Get a copy of your credit report.

How do you play dirty in a divorce?

Dirty Divorce TricksLeave Him With Nothing. A female client is contemplating leaving the marital home. ... Cancel the Credit Cards. ... Get Him Fired. ... Cutting Off the Utilities. ... Tell the Paramour's Spouse. ... Move out of State with the Kids. ... Clean out the Bank Accounts. ... File an Accusation of Child Abuse.More items...

Why is family law interesting?

Family law is often seen as the area that deals with “real people”. It is very client-facing, and usually involves working with people who are undergoing turmoil in their personal lives. Matters are very varied because no two clients have experienced exactly the same issues.

What do you say in a paralegal interview?

7 Paralegal Interview Questions You Need to KnowWhy did you pursue a career as a paralegal? ... What work experience do you have? ... How are your legal research skills? ... How organized are you and how do you check the accuracy of your work? ... Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.More items...

How is the Lawyer Paid?

Divorce is not a civil case where the attorney might settle for a percentage of the final settlement. Furthermore, many people want their spouse to pay legal fees, but often this is just a negotiating tool. It’s important to know those things up front before they hire a lawyer.

What are the Court Fees?

It’s also important to ask about court fees. You should be told what you will owe and when you will need to pay each fee. Some lawyers will simply bill you, and this can come as a nasty shock. It is better if you know in advance and can plan for it.

What is Your Experience with Cases Like Mine?

No two divorces are exactly alike, but there are some similarities. Let’s say you are a man who is suing for custody of his children. It would be reassuring to have a lawyer who had handled this kind of case before. Or, let’s say you are a woman who has been the target of domestic violence.

What is a Reasonable Financial Outcome for My Case?

At your first meeting with your lawyer, ask them to outline the laws that will affect your specific case. You want to get a good grasp on your legal standing. Often people approach divorce with expectations that are out of whack with what is actually possible.

What is Reasonable to Expect in Terms of Child Custody and Child Support?

For parents, nothing is more important than who gets custody of the children. You should find out up front what the law says about custody, shared expenses, and child support. There may not be as much wiggle room as you want, and it is good to recognize the limitations your lawyer will labor under.

Do You Work Alone?

Your attorney will not do all of the work, and that’s probably okay. However, you should ask up front if the lawyer will be the one in hearings with you. Will the lawyer be the one in mediation or arbitration? You are hiring a very specific person, and you deserve to know if that person will be in your corner during these tricky proceedings.

How Long Does a Divorce Take?

Your lawyer may not want to answer this question. Perhaps they will be more willing if you ask them to give examples of how long it took their last four clients. It’s only fair that you get a good idea of the length of the process.

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How to Interview A Divorce Lawyer: The Right Questions to Ask

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Filing for divorce or being served with divorce papers is perhaps one of the most daunting experiences spouses can ever go through. For the average person, this is usually a very confusing and troubling moment as they suddenly find themselves in unknown territory with no idea on how to proceed. While some may immediately …
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Get Recommendations

  • This should ideally be one of the first moves you make as you search for a lawyer to represent you. Get in touch with a family member or friend who has gone through a divorce and speak with them to ascertain whether their lawyer or even their spouse’s may be right for you. While this is a great starting point, it’s even more important to get a personal feel of a potential lawyer via an in…
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Do Your Investigation

  • Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential divorce lawyers to hire, you’ll need to carry out a personal investigation about them and eventually carry out an initial consultation. Look them up online and find out as much as you can before putting a call across to them. When you eventually call the lawyer, try to observe their approach towards you. Do they listen? Are they in a hurry to o…
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Prepare Yourself For The Interview

  • You should ideally prepare all relevant information pertaining to your divorce proceedings before meeting with any potential lawyer. Details regarding your personal assets, possible custody arrangements, and any other information you consider important should be readily available during the consultation. This information will enable the divorce lawyer to make informed decisi…
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Be Open

  • Hiding any critical information regarding your divorce may hinder the lawyer’s ability to critically assess your situation and offer the appropriate advice. At this point, be honest and open during the consultation. Share all the key details surrounding the divorce even if you do not feel they are relevant. You may have to reveal intimate and personal details regarding your relationship with y…
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Consider The Fees

  • During the consultation, find out what fees you will be expected to pay for their service. Is there a fixed price or hourly price for representation? Is there a minimum charge if they bill you hourly? These are some of the questions you should ask regarding what you’ll be expected to pay. You should also find out about a breakdown of what exactly you’ll be charged for to avoid any surpris…
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Avoid The Sweet Talk

  • If the lawyer is promising you the world and telling you everything you’d like to hear, be cautious. No lawyer can really promise you 100% success in a divorce case as there are too many variables involved including how a judge will decide, the duration of the case proceedings and subsequently the costs involved.
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Ask More Questions

  • Asking the right questions and getting the appropriate answers will help you decide whether or not to hire a certain lawyer, so don’t hesitate to ask anything you believe may be relevant to your divorce or working relationship with them. The following are some of the key questions you should ideally ask when interviewing your potential divorce lawyer.
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What Next?

  • Once you’ve decided on which lawyer to hire to represent you, they should ideally send you a written agreement that spells out the terms of the retainer and the fees involved. Choosing the right lawyer is no guarantee on the outcome of your divorce case but it certainly gives you a better footing in the proceedings. The tips and suggested questions above should help you prepare an…
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