what questions should be asked when meeting with a divorce attorney

^{First, ask yourself: Are you sure you actually need an attorney?}

1. Ask them to describe their approach to the divorce process. Each lawyer you speak to should have a slightly different answer to this. ...
2. Ask about communication. How will they check in with you throughout the process? ...
3. Ask how you’ll be able to monitor the status of your case. Many lawyers are incorporating technology into their practices – which is a good thing for you. ...
4. After you lay out your case, ask where they see things potentially going off track. This is a good chance to get help thinking ten steps ahead. ...
5. Talk about payment.

What you should know before contacting a divorce attorney?

• take photographs of every item and photograph sets of small items, such as dinner ware, together
• use the front page of that day's newspaper in every photograph in order to create a "time stamp," which avoids any claims that the photo was taken at an earlier ...
• keep your photos in a safe, protected place

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What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

• Understanding of Family Law: First and foremost a Divorce attorney should be through with laws concerning divorce which are a) Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; b) Hindu adoption and Maintenance Act ...
• ANALYTICAL AND RESEARCH SKILLS: Preparing a legal strategy is complicated. Each case involves a large volume of facts and records. ...
• DEDICAT

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

These are some questions to ask when you are evaluating an attorney:

• How long have you practiced this type of law? ...
• How many cases of this type have you handled in the last six months? ...
• What are your fees? ...
• What are the court fees? ...
• How much do you think a case like mine would cost? ...
• Can a payment plan be worked out? ...
• What are the chances of my spouse paying some of my legal fees? ...
• Do you provide a written contract? ...

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Is a divorce attorney really the answer?

When it comes to divorce, you not only need to make sure you are protected, but your child is as well. Hiring a divorce lawyer will not only give you the legal counsel you need for this parenting plan but also put your child in a better position to have the best life they can after your divorce.

What should a woman ask for in a divorce settlement?

A detailed parenting-time schedule—including holidays! It's in your best interest, and more importantly in the best interest of the children, that you have a detailed schedule in an attempt to avoid issues down the road. This parenting-time schedule is an extremely important thing to ask for in a divorce settlement.

What to prepare before asking for a divorce?

Top 10 Things to Do Before You File For a DivorceNever Threaten to Divorce Until You Are Ready To File. ... Organize Your Documents. ... Focus on Your Children. ... Make Sure You Have Three Months of Financial Resources. ... Obtain the Best Legal Advice You Can Get. ... Make Sure You Have Available Credit.More items...

What questions should you ask your attorney?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What can be used against you in a divorce?

Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.

How does a woman protect herself in a divorce?

Gather evidence of a husband's misbehavior or abusive actions. Stay safe and protect your children. Update paperwork and beneficiary designations after divorce. Ensure that your future is protected before you finalize a divorce settlement.

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

What do you say when talking to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

What to ask your attorney about divorce?

Ask about the general process and steps, the documentation needed, temporary orders/agreements that may be needed, and an approximate timeline.

How to save on attorney fees?

Your fee agreement should explain everything you need to know about billing but most importantly you should discuss ways you can save on fees. For example, it may be more cost efficient to save up all of your questions that arise throughout the day or the week then email them over and schedule a phone call to answer the questions. A quick phone call may be cheaper than the attorney answering multiple questions everyday for a week.

Why is it important to ask an attorney about a complaint?

One of the biggest complaints lawyers get is that their clients feel that they often don’t know what is happening with their case. That is why it is important that you find an attorney you will feel comfortable communicating with. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your attorney when you meet for the first time: 1.

What are the parts of the ultimate calculation?

Things like the income of the parents, the parenting time exercised, and the costs of medical insurance are all parts of the ultimate calculation and should be discussed with your attorney.

How many attorneys work on a client's case?

In some firms, only one attorney works on the client’s case whereas other offices take a more collaborative approach.

What to do if you have a negative feeling about your spouse?

Even if you have negative feelings about your spouse, it is better to try to deal with those issues on your own instead of fighting them out. Your attorney will work to help you get a fair settlement and protect your interests while you work on moving forward with your life after your divorce.

What happens if you work out your own custody agreement?

If you are able to work out your own agreement in a child custody case, you are also setting the groundwork for greater cooperation in the future as you raise your children with your former spouse.

1. Safety

Your divorce lawyer needs to know that you’re in a place where you can safely discuss your issues. They may gingerly approach the topic of whether there was any abuse, whether physical, emotional, or mental, during your marriage.

2. Finances

This part of the discussion may feel invasive for you. You may wonder why you need to share data with me that many in America have been taught is sensitive and isn’t generally a topic for discussion. The fact of the matter is, from a practical standpoint a divorce is not terribly different from dissolving a business partnership.

3. Kids

Do you have children? If you do, we’re going to need to know how old they are, what special needs they might have, what their schedule looks like, what extracurriculars they are engaged in, etc. In general, I’m going to need to get to know your kids without talking to your kids.

What Can I Do to Decrease My Divorce Expenses?

Unfortunately, the reality is that divorce can be expensive. Trying to get a bargain divorce can end in disaster. However, talking with your Illinois divorce attorney upon your initial meeting about what you can do to decrease your legal costs is a wise move. They can talk to you about how to make your divorce settlement more efficient and cost-effective. In general, the more you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse can agree on and negotiate, the better.

What is the Illinois Divorce Process Like?

Even though no two divorces are the same, they generally follow a similar process. Your Illinois divorce lawyer should be able to evaluate your specific circumstances and tell you what to expect during your own divorce process. Generally, the process includes:

What Should I Do Next?

Do you need to hire an attorney right away because your spouse has already filed for divorce? Are you the spouse considering divorce, and if so, do you need some time to think about what you want to do? Talk with the lawyer about these things. They will provide you with a contract and a requested retainer amount to secure their services when you are ready.

What is the most contentious aspect of divorce?

Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor.

Is it a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property?

Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property and assets relevant to your case.

Is divorce exhaustive?

As you can see, the above list extensive -- yet, it is not exhaustive. Every divorce is different since every couple enters and leaves a marriage under different circumstances and with different assets. Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all ...

How many pages should a divorce narrative be?

If you have decided to file a divorce, or your spouse has filed a divorce against you, your narrative needs to be more detailed — probably three to 10 pages . The next group of items that you will need to bring to your first meeting with you attorney is financial information.

What to do before a divorce meeting?

Before your first meeting remember the 4Ps. Preparation prevents poor performance. As a matter of fact, remind yourself of the 4Ps throughout the divorce process. Before your first meeting, you need to prepare two documents if at all possible. One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, ...

What is a citation in divorce?

You may have been served with a citation — an official document from the court advising you that you have been sued for divorce and giving you a specific time to respond to the court or ordering you to appear in court on a specific date.

What is the first meeting you have with a divorce attorney?

The first category is when you are unhappy in your marriage, know very little about divorce, and want to gather some basic information so you can make educated decisions about preserving or ending your marriage.

What is the biographical information of a person?

One is simple biographical information– your full name, address, phone numbers, place of employment, address of employment, date of birth, your driver’s license number, your social security number, the same information on your spouse, your date of marriage, and your children’s full names, sex, and dates of birth.

Do you know if you are going to get divorced?

You do not really know whether or not you are going to get divorced. You just want to know what your options are. The second category is when you have made the decision to end your marriage and you are meeting with your divorce attorney for the first time because you want to file a divorce.