what to ask divorce attorney at consultation

by Albina Hettinger 8 min read

  • What is their fee structure? ...
  • What should I expect during the divorce procedure? ...
  • How the decision about the custody of your children will be made. ...
  • Ask about Spousal support. ...
  • The division of marital property. ...
  • Ask them about how they will communicate your case.
  • The experience that they have handling divorce cases.

More items...

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

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 questions should I ask at a divorce consultation?

Jan 14, 2021 · Regardless of what you bring to your divorce consultation don’t forget why you are in a divorce attorney’s office in the first place: (1) to get information about divorce in your jurisdiction– we firmly believe that knowledge is power!, (2) to get an idea about what your life could look like post-divorce, and (3) to evaluate whether the attorney you are meeting with is …

What you should know before contacting a divorce attorney?

Ask about what happens when your lawyer is ill, out of town, or otherwise unable to respond to your inquiries. There should be someone always available to answer your questions. Seek Legal Help Choosing a divorce lawyer is not an easy task. Do not feel obligated to …

How to evaluate a good divorce attorney?

Mar 02, 2019 · Your chosen divorce attorney will need to review financial and other papers and information to counsel you properly. At initial consultations, consider asking your potential attorneys the questions below as they pertain to your situation. However, don’t wait until your meetings to start preparing for divorce. Experience

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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.

How long did it take Elizabeth to get divorced?

Having this goal in mind helped keep things moving, and as a result, her divorce took 364 days between her initial filing and final judgment.

How to get money from a prenup consultation?

If you want to get your money’s worth from a consultation, make sure you bring all of the documents associated with your prenup. The same goes if you and your spouse have started working out a separation agreement (or other agreement related to your pending split) in writing.

What should be on a second credit list?

On a second list you should put all of your credit accounts (including, but not limited to credit cards, student debt, personal loans, mortgage, car loan, etc.). That list should include the name of the debtor (s), the current balance on the debt, and the monthly payment.

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.

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.

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.

How to get divorced from a friend?

If your divorced friends were satisfied with their legal representation, you could ask them for their lawyer’s contact details. Keep in mind that each case is unique. Just because your friend got a good settlement, it doesn’t guarantee your outcome will be similar.

Can a divorce lawyer give you a conclusive answer?

Remember that a lawyer won’t be able to give you conclusive answers based only on the information you provide at a first meeting. Your chosen divorce attorney will need to review financial and other papers and information to counsel you properly.

1. Experience

It is always important to determine if your potential attorney fills the profile that you are looking for.

2. Advice

Don’t be afraid to ask: “What is a piece of advice you give to every client?”

4. Working Together

You and your attorney will essentially become a team, therefore great communication and clarity of expectations are key to ensure a great outcome.

5. Costs

Finally, but not least important, every firm charges differently, and it might be helpful to understand how that works.

How long do you have to wait to hire a lawyer?

Now, you might need to hire a lawyer immediately if your spouse has already filed for a divorce, however, if you are the one thinking about filing it, you could wait for several days, weeks, or months before making a decision. If you want to hire a specific attorney, they’ll ...

Is divorce stressful?

The entire process of getting a divorce is stressful, complex, and extremely difficult for all parties involved. However, by talking to your lawyer and asking them the aforementioned questions, they’ll be able to explain what you’ll have to expect during the process, as well as how it will look like.

Is divorce expensive?

You probably already know that the entire process of getting a divorce is expensive, which is why most people worry about their finances. The expenses you’ll have will depend on a wide range of things including how complex your case is, whether there is custody of the kids involved, as well as how well you can work with your spouse during the divorce.

Is it stressful to get divorced?

Getting a divorce is always extremely stressful for everyone involved, and the situation gets even more serious and daunting when there are children involved. So, if you are feeling uncertainty and denial as you prepare to meet with your divorce lawyer for the very first time, know that it is not unusual and that it happens to everyone.

What You Should Expect at a Divorce Consultation

You already that you will be doing most of the talking since the case revolve around you. The divorce attorney will ask you for some information. Here are some of the details that the lawyer will ask you for during the initial consultations for the divorce meeting.

What You Should Bring to Your Initial Consultation

One of the things that you should do to be well prepared for the initial consultation is to bring documentation with you. The documentation will help the attorney to have an easier time evaluating your case.

Questions That You Should Ask the Attorney

When you visit the attorney’s office, it is important for you to find out as much as you can about the attorney, the process, and other details of the divorce process that you need to know about. To find everything you need to know, you need to prepare a list of questions to ask the divorce lawyer.

Are Meetings With Lawyers Confidential?

Most potential clients who go to an initial divorce consultation are not sure if they want a divorce. Potential clients want to understand what to expect if they choose to go ahead with the process. The law protects attorney-client communication. This means that the client’s right to privacy is well defined and should be preserved.

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