what questions should be asked when searching for a divorce attorney

1. Do you specialize in divorces, or are divorces just a part of your practice? How long have you been practicing family law? ...
2. What is your strategy for my case? How long will it take to resolve my case?
3. How long do you take to return phone calls? How do I get a hold of you if there is an emergency? ...
4. Will anyone else in your office be working on my case? What experience do they have? Can I meet them?
5. How will you charge me? What is your hourly rate? Do you charge for the time I spend with other lawyers, with paralegals, and/or with secretaries? ...
6. What costs (other than your own) do you expect will be involved (for example, for private investigators, forensic accountants, physicians, and/or psychologists), and how will you charge me for ...
What's your estimate of the total cost of this divorce? ...
Do you allow me to negotiate directly with my spouse? How can I keep the cost of my divorce down? ...
Based on what you know about my case, how would you predict a judge would rule on it?
What can you do to help me understand the tax effect of the decisions I will have to make?

Full Answer

What you should know before contacting a divorce attorney?

This is an important question for two reasons. First, it will test the divorce attorney's knowledge and experience of the divorce process and divorce law. Second, it will educate you on what specifically the attorney can and will do with you to help mitigate the costs. Do not settle for a generic answer.

What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

Jan 14, 2022 · You should ask the attorney how they plan to charge you for these expenses. Although, it is unlikely that anyone could predict precisely how much your divorce will cost before the process has begun, an attorney should be able to give you an estimate so you can make the right decision for your budget.

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

Feb 18, 2022 · When searching for a divorce attorney, you don’t have to hire the first one that shows up on the internet; instead, you should contact multiple ones to find the right one for you. So how do you know which one is right for you? There are five essential questions you should ask.

Is a divorce attorney really the answer?

Here are some questions you should consider asking when searching for a divorce attorney: (1) How much of your practice is with divorce cases vs. some other area of the law? Some attorneys practice exclusively in the area of family law, and more specifically handle only divorces.

What is family law?

However, family law is a subspecialty that involves complex legal principles, which take time and experience to master.

What is a restraining order?

restraining orders prohibiting spouses from changing beneficiary designations or transferring assets before and during the divorce. alimony (how to calculate income available for alimony and the special factors courts consider when determining setting payments) child support (how to calculate child support in your state)

What is the division of property and assets?

the division of property and assets, including real property, collectibles, venture capital interests, stock option portfolios, good will, or other business interests, and . the division of retirement benefits. There is a vast body of law (which will vary from state to state) that applies to these issues. These laws are frequently updated ...