questions to ask when hiring a family law attorney

^{10 Questions to Ask a Family Court Lawyer Before Hiring}

1. How Long Have You Practiced Law? You want to make sure that whatever lawyer that you get is experienced enough to understand everything that is going into your case ...
2. How Many Cases Like Mine Have You Taken Care Of? Make sure that you are specific with this question. ...
3. What Are Your Usual Clients Like? This may be a bit personal but it’s a good question to ask. ...
4. How Long Does it Take You to Respond to Calls and Emails? You need someone who is going to keep you up to date with information concerning your case. ...
5. Will Anyone Else be Working on My Case? Depending on how complicated your case is, the attorney you’re talking to on the phone may not be the only one ...
How Do You Charge Clients and Can You Give Me an Estimate? ...
What is Your Approach Every lawyer will have a different way of handling your case. Some lawyers are more aggressive than others. ...
Am I Being Unreasonable? When you’re going through a custody case or divorce your emotions will be heightened. ...
What Are the Possible Outcomes for My Case? When you sit down with your potential lawyer to talk about your case, chances are they already have a few ideas ...
Do You Foresee Any Big Problems?

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What questions should I ask my child custody attorney?

Sep 02, 2020 · Don’t accept an answer of just a number. Ask them about specific details of cases that are similar to your circumstances. If spousal support is what worries you most or if you are worried about the future of your children, you need to be reassured that they have successfully handled other cases like yours.

What questions should I ask when hiring an attorney?

Sep 10, 2020 · It’s essential that you choose the best family law attorney that you can. How Much of Your Practice Is Devoted to Family Law? In addition to the attorney’s years of experience, you also want to know how much time they spend working on family issues. If an attorney has been practicing for many years but spends only a small percentage of their time on family law, they …

How do I ask a family law question in California?

What to ask a divorce attorney about a move away request?

What questions should you ask family lawyer?

The Top Questions to Ask Your Family AttorneyWhat is your level of experience? ... What type of cases do you usually handle and who is your typical client? ... How much will this cost me and how will I be billed? ... Are there other ways to solve my family legal issues? ... When can I expect communication?More items...•May 8, 2018

What are the tips for hiring a family law attorney?

Whether you plan to pursue a litigated divorce or a collaborative divorce, it's important to hire someone with courtroom experience. Look for an attorney who understands how things will likely play out at the courthouse and who is familiar with the court system in the county where you reside.

What are some good questions to ask an attorney?

In Order to Move Forward With Any Lawyer, First Ask These Ten QuestionsHow Long Have You Practiced Law? ... What Types of Cases Do You Manage? ... Who's Your Typical Client? ... How Many Similar Cases Have You Taken On? ... What Kind of Special Training or Knowledge You Have Outside Your Law Degree? ... What Are Your Fees and Costs?More items...

What qualities should a family lawyer have?

7 Important Traits of the Best Family Law LawyersThe lawyer's integrity. ... The family law lawyer's diligence. ... The lawyer's communication skills. ... The lawyer's objectivity. ... The family law lawyer's patience. ... The family law lawyer document preparation skills. ... The family law lawyer skill and experience inside the courtroom.

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.Oct 28, 2020

How do you answer legal interview questions?

Below are some common legal interview questions—plus suggestions on how to approach them.Tell me a little about yourself. ... What attracted you to our firm/organization? ... Can you describe a challenge or conflict you have faced at work and how you overcame it? ... What is your biggest weakness? ... Do you have any questions for us?Mar 20, 2021

What are some questions an attorney might ask a new client?

What Questions do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?What is your case about? A lawyer will want to know every single detail of your case. ... What do you hope to accomplish? ... How do you want us to communicate? ... Why did you choose me? ... Are you comfortable with my rates?Nov 28, 2019

What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

When looking to hire an attorney to represent you in your divorce, you should look for someone with the following qualities: ... · A Top-Notch Communicator. ... · Available. ... · Equipped with Sufficient Resource. ... · In Control and Composed (Even When Under Pressure) ... · Pro-Negotiation. ... · Strategic. ... · Confident & Strong.More items...

Have you handled other cases like mine?

Don’t accept an answer of just a number. Ask them about specific details of cases that are similar to your circumstances. If spousal support is what worries you most or if you are worried about the future of your children, you need to be reassured that they have successfully handled other cases like yours.

Will you handle my case personally or will you have someone else working on it?

Don’t immediately say no if more than one person will be working on your case. A team of lawyers with the support of paralegals and associates can work more efficiently and may even save you money. Outside consultants might also be part of the team, such as personal investigators or other advisors.

How much will you charge me?

You should not be ashamed to bring up the subject of charges. On the contrary, knowing how much something will cost you from the outset will only work to give you peace of mind and avoid surprises. Ask about specific charges such as court costs, outside consultants, and other expenses.

Now that you know my situation, what will be your approach?

A detailed strategy might not be available at this point for the lawyer to share it with you. However, you do want to get a feeling for how aggressive this lawyer is, or what their approach will be. This answer alone might convince you that this is the lawyer for you or, on the other hand, have you running for the door.

Is my request unreasonable?

You might be feeling anxious, sad, depressed, or highly emotional about what you are about to do, whether it’s a divorce, a custody case, or any other family matter. You may be worried that your decisions might not be the right ones at this time.

How Long Have You Been Practicing Family Law?

It’s important to get a good idea of an attorney’s background and experience in family law. You may save a little money by hiring a newer attorney or someone just branching into family law. But they may not have enough knowledge to effectively advocate for your best outcome.

How Much of Your Practice Is Devoted to Family Law?

In addition to the attorney’s years of experience, you also want to know how much time they spend working on family issues. If an attorney has been practicing for many years but spends only a small percentage of their time on family law, they may not be as effective as someone who spends the majority of their time on family cases.

How Much Trial Experience Do You Have?

Even though most cases do not go to trial, finding a family law attorney with trial experience is important.

What Is the Best Way to Get in Touch with You, and How Quickly Will You Respond to Messages?

During your divorce case, you may have many questions. You want an attorney who will be responsive and put your mind at ease. There is nothing more frustrating than leaving multiple messages at an attorney’s office with no answer. Understanding your attorney’s practices can help alleviate uncertainty and frustration.

Will You Be Handling My Case Personally or Assigning It to Another Attorney?

Some firms will have you meet with one of the partners for your initial consultation and then assign your case out to an associate attorney. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as a junior attorney may charge less while still benefitting from the support of more experienced attorneys at the firm.

Who Else Will Be Working on My Case?

Most law firms use paralegals and legal assistants to communicate with clients and prepare basic documents. This helps to keep your costs down and frees up your attorney to focus on the more complicated aspects of your case.

How Much Do You Charge and How Much Do You Require for a Retainer?

Family law attorneys generally charge by the hour, so it’s important to know their billing rate up front. You will also want to ask what you will be charged when other attorneys or support staff work on your case.