what to ask a divorce attorney at consultation

Divorce Consultation Checklist: What to Ask Your Attorney

• Fees. Divorce lawyers wors based on a particular fee structure. ...
• Procedures/Timeline. Your lawyer should be able to help you understand what to expect. ...
• Experience. ...
• Methods for Resolving Cases. ...
• Communication. ...
• Seek Legal Help. ...

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

To maximize your time, you should come prepared with pertinent questions to ask the divorce lawyer that you're interviewing. After the initial consultation, you want to determine if this divorce lawyer is right for you. How long have you practiced? If you're dealing with substantial assets or a custody dispute, you want to hire an experienced lawyer. Ask the lawyer how long they have …

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

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What to ask a divorce lawyer?

Nov 23, 2021 · Here is a list of questions to ask a divorce lawyer during your first meeting to better understand the divorce process and their qualifications. Table of Contents. Ask About The Divorce Process And Their Background Experience; Ask About The Total Costs Of Divorce; Ask About Who You Should Communicate With; Types of Divorce Cases; Legal Advice

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.

Is a divorce lawyer a good fit?

Not every divorce lawyer is going to be a good fit for you. Don’t let a divorce lawyer be pushy in your free consultation. Pick the one that best suits you and your desired outcomes. When you file for divorce, your attorney has to juggle many types of law.

Why is it important to prepare for divorce?

When you prepare for a divorce, it makes everything easier. Your cost of divorce will be lower. Your divorce process will be faster. Your divorce will even be easier when you prepare for divorce before you file for divorce. Your divorce lawyer will give you a list of things that you need to prepare.

What to do if you are unsure about a divorce?

splitting debts. If you’re unsure about whether you have a contested or uncontested divorce, ask your divorce lawyer. If there are small things that you can figure out on your own with your spouse, you should. Your attorney will be able to point out what things you need to negotiate with your spouse on.

How much does a retainer cost for divorce?

A retainer fee usually covers half of the estimated total cost of divorce. Meaning, if your divorce lawyer thinks it will cost $10,000 to handle your divorce, the retainer fee might be $5,000. This is not a hard and fast rule, but just an example. The point is that your retainer fee is going to run out.

Does it matter who files for divorce first?

If you have been served divorce papers already, then that answers the question for you. If you’re going to have an uncontested divorce, it doesn’t matter who files for divorce first. But if you’re going to have a contested divorce, it does matter. You want to have time to prepare for divorce.

What is the purpose of mediation in divorce?

Divorce mediations help couples reach an agreement on their disputes without going to trial. When you go through divorce mediation, you have the final say. When you go to trial, the judge has the final say on how to settle. If you need divorce mediation, ask your divorce lawyer for a divorce mediation checklist.

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.

Fees

Divorce lawyers wors based on a particular fee structure. They often require payment along the way, before the divorce is finalized. Some charge monthly retainer fees.

Experience

While obviously a lawyer who has more experience will probably get you better results, many younger lawyers are highly skilled and knowledgeable, as well. They should have experience settling cases and taking them to court if needed. They should also be knowledgeable about alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and arbitration.

Methods for Resolving Cases

Each attorney has his or her own preference. Some prefer to settle cases as quickly as possible, while others are willing to negotiate and take the case to court if necessary. Your best bet is to choose someone who is open to exploring various methods to resolve your case in the way you want it to be resolved. Mediation should be an option.

Communication

Communication is important between attorneys and clients. A good lawyer will offer multiple ways for you to communicate with them and their staff, such as by calling, texting, or emailing. Some are even available 24/7. You should be able to ask a question or get a status update without having to wait days for a reply.

Seek Legal Help

Choosing a divorce lawyer is not an easy task. Do not feel obligated to pick the first one you meet. You may be working with this lawyer for many months or even years, so it is important to find someone you can trust and with whom you feel comfortable. In the end, when choosing a lawyer, do not be afraid to trust your gut.

Questions About Experience

The issues that need to be addressed in your divorce are ones that will affect you and your family for years to come. When asking your divorce interview questions, it is important to learn whether your family law attorney has the experience necessary to advise you correctly.

Questions About Billing

Questions about billing are definitely important questions to ask an attorney about your divorce case. If you’re concerned about keeping costs down, you will want to understand your attorney’s billing practices. Here are a few questions that will cover the basics:

Questions About Communication

When you are going through a divorce, you will probably have many questions for your divorce attorney.

Questions About Procedures and Law

For many people, going through a divorce may be their first real experience with the legal system. You may feel a bit overwhelmed by the process or concerned about what the laws mean for you.

How to Find a Divorce Attorney

Are you ready to start interviewing divorce attorneys? You might want to start with the experienced family law attorneys at Eskew Law. We pride ourselves on excellent communication with our clients and favorable results.