what questionsto ask 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? ...
4. Will anyone else in your office be working on my case? ...
5. How will you charge me? ...

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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.

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

Jan 14, 2021 · If that does/doesn’t feel right to you, ask how often they typically find themselves in court during the divorce process. Are you anticipating a heated child custody battle, a big argument over property, or something else? Ask your lawyer how they’ve helped clients reach an acceptable outcome when they’ve worked in similar situations in the past.

What to look for in a good divorce attorney?

Apr 14, 2021 · 9 Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney Before Hiring Them #1) What experience do you have with similar divorce cases? Start by getting an overview of the attorney’s experience with divorce cases, particularly those that are similar to yours. For example, if children are involved in your separation, ask the attorney to share past experience setting up custody …

What qualities make a good divorce attorney?

Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer 1- Do you know my partner in any way? The last thing you want happening is your lawyer not performing to their bests due to emotional attachments with your spouse. If your attorney has any previous associations with your spouse, the emotional attachments could get in the way of an unbiased job.

What to ask for during a divorce?

Things to ask for in a divorce: moneyWho is responsible for the debt after divorce?Credit card, tax and personal loan debt.Student loans.Any lawsuits, including bankruptcies.Life insurance policies in divorce settlement.Long-term care insurance in divorce settlement.Wedding and engagement rings in divorce.More items...•Aug 16, 2019

What questions should I ask my lawyer?

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...•Jan 29, 2017

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

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

What is the goal of hiring an attorney?

For many women, the ‘goal’ of hiring an attorney may simply be “get me outta this marriage!” But honing in on what you want your life to look like after the divorce dust has settled can be a useful tool for identifying how you want to work through the process of ending your marriage.

Is it a good idea to talk to a lawyer about divorce?

If you’ve made up your mind and there’s no alternative but divorce, talking to at least a few lawyers is always a good idea. The first consultation is usually always free, so you’ve got nothing to lose. But, you can gain a lot of information during attorney interviews if you head into the conversation armed with the right questions.

Can you represent yourself in divorce?

Most states allow individuals to represent themselves in the divorce process. And, it’s more common than you think: 80 percent of divorces involve at least one party representing themselves. Lots of people go this route – which means you can, too.

How to prepare for alimony?

Alimony is a numbers game. Sometimes the best way to prepare and present the back alimony case is to play the numbers game using experts. For example, forensic accounting experts and vocational rehabilitative experts can help support or defend an alimony claim.

What is a good deal in a case?

Even if your case does not step foot in a courtroom, it’s good to have an understanding of how the law works to get a basic idea of what is a good deal in your case. Of course, a good deal also accounts for subjective things like your particular needs or your spouse’s particular needs.

What is the greatest tragedy in divorce cases?

The greatest tragedy in divorce cases is when a custody battle spirals out of control for months or even years. The attorneys have a lot of say in controlling or mitigating some of the emotional responses in these cases and keeping things under control.

What is single pot divorce?

Divorce cases are ”single pot” cases, where the monies spent on the case can correspondingly lead to a decrease in money available for the parties. Cost-benefit analysis is required at every stage of the game.

How to know if you're getting a reasonable deal?

This requires a lot of trust, so the best thing you can do is check the attorney out thoroughly at the beginning of the process, so you understand how you guys will work together.

Can you get child care tax exemptions in divorce?

However, the parties in a divorce can always agree to do whatever they want with the tax exemptions. It’s important to address tax exemptions as early as the first divorce consultation in your case.

Is divorce easy?

Divorce is not easy , and the vast majority of the people that we consult with are not emotionally ready to pull the trigger. Often a driving force is that there are assets, other financial obligations, or even relationships with children that need to be protected, and the jurisdiction of the court needs to be invoked.

Can an attorney give you the cost of divorce?

While an attorney may not be able to give you the exact cost of your divorce (unless they offer a flat rate fee), they should be able to offer an estimated cost of taking on your case. In addition to considering the costs listed above, the attorney should factor in the complexity of your case to determine a reasonable estimate for the overall expense. They should also include stipulations and situations that may increase or decrease the cost.

Is divorce a difficult process?

Going through a divorce can be a challenging experience. The process can be both personally taxing and procedurally confusing. This is why you want to have the best divorce attorney by your side during the process.

1- Do you know my partner in any way?

The last thing you want happening is your lawyer not performing to their bests due to emotional attachments with your spouse.

2- How many divorce cases were you able to settle without court proceedings?

Taking divorce cases to court only prolongs it unnecessarily. Most times, the only effect of taking a divorce to court is elevated fees.

3- How many divorce cases have you handled?

The divorce attorney is offering a service. Most service providers don’t get it right at the first attempt. While they get better over time, you don’t want to be a source of experience to the lawyer.

4- Will another lawyer be taking up my case at any point in time?

After conducting tons of research and asking tens of questions, you’ve decided to settle on a divorce lawyer.

5- Can I access all of my documents at will?

Your documents are all yours, and there are no reasons why your attorney should be keeping them away from you. A typical answer to this question should be a resounding yes.

6- Are there any hidden costs?

Most times, you may have to pay extra costs if the divorce process meets a specific condition.

7- What are the available means of communication?

Good divorce lawyers are excellent communicators. They must be available to answer your questions at any time while reaching you for information if need be.

What is your experience as a family law attorney?

It is important to determine right away if the attorney has experience dealing with matters of family law. A reputable family law attorney should have experience when it comes to child custody and support, spousal maintenance, division of property and assets, and restraining orders.

How will I be billed?

You might as well get this issue out of the way quickly because your budget will likely play a major role in who you choose to hire. Ask about their initial retainer, hourly rate, and payment structure. You can also ask what other costs you can expect during the case such as costs for private investigators, physicians, forensic accountants, etc.

How much will my divorce cost?

If you are curious, you can ask for an estimate on the total cost of the divorce, but keep in mind that this is not easy to answer. The total cost will depend on how the process plays out. There may be additional costs for things like private investigators, mediators, and expert witnesses and it will also cost more the longer the process takes.

What are the communication rules?

As mentioned above, it is very important to communicate regularly with your attorney to stay updated on your case. However, attorneys are not always available to take phone calls and each call with the attorney costs you money.

How will you handle my case?

Depending on the law firm involved, your case may be handled only by the attorney you hire, or by a legal team within the firm with the hired attorney acting as the lead attorney. In the latter scenario, the lead attorney will manage the case and delegate certain duties to others within the firm in ways that can benefit you.

What is your strategy for my case?

Once the attorney understands the facts of your case and your goals, they should be able to come up with a strategy. A good family law attorney will work in your best interests, and especially in the best interests of your children.

Can you find a way to avoid going to trial?

Many divorce cases will end in a settlement without going to trial, but there are unfortunately some divorce cases that do go to trial. Going to trial will lengthen the divorce process and cost you more money. It is usually in everyone’s best interest to reach a settlement and avoid going to trial.

What happens if your primary lawyer isn't the only attorney working on your case?

If your primary lawyer isn't the only attorney working on your case, you may also be paying for other associates' time. While this is quite common, knowing what you're paying for may ease your mind a bit. 20 of 26.

What does a divorce mediator do?

As a divorce mediator, she provides clients with strategies and resources that enable them to power through a time of adversity. Divorce is a huge step, and how it's handled can have lasting impacts on the rest of your life. No matter which side you're on, it's wise to seek experienced legal representation.

What to do if you are financially dependent on your ex?

If you are financially dependent on your soon-to-be-ex, you may want to consider finding a lawyer who will petition the court for your spouse to pay for their services. This essentially means you have a fair trial or collaborative divorce. 25 of 26.

What is collaborative divorce?

A collaborative divorce could end with you and your ex on good enough terms to be friendly with one another. While keeping your divorce out of the courts may sound ideal, you may need to take it to trial.

Is divorce a big step?

Divorce is a huge step, and how it's handled can have lasting impacts on the rest of your life. No matter which side you're on, it's wise to seek experienced legal representation. If you've never been divorced before, the process may feel scary and uncomfortable, so before hiring a divorce attorney, you should do your research to ensure you're ...

Do lawyers charge by the hour?

Like tutors and therapists, most lawyers charge by the hour, so make sure you know what you're getting into financially before signing anything. You may be able to comfortably pay for the retainer fee, but not the hourly rate, so make sure you ask for a total cost breakdown. 19 of 26.