what to ask your divorce attorney on your first visit

^{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 questions should I ask my divorce lawyer?

After you’ve laid out the path that led you to pursue divorce and shared the outcome you’re hoping to achieve after your divorce is final, ask the lawyer where they’ve seen things going off the rails in similar cases they’ve worked on. What red flags did your story raise for them?

What questions should I Ask my attorney on my first visit?

The attorney should explain at the first visit how he or she would send you paperwork on your case. If that transmittal is outdated or not secure, you should ask yourself about that attorney or law office's sophistication and technology and security. 1. How will you keep my file secure?

Is it proper to ask a divorce attorney for a first impression?

ot every method is proper for every case. The divorce attorney should also explain to you whether, from a first impression, you have the kind of case that will likely settle or proceed to court. This is not predicting the future. This is the attorney being candid with you about his or her first impressions.

Can I talk to my spouse about my divorce attorney?

However, speaking with your spouse about the divorce does not mean you speak with your spouse about what your attorney told you and/or what you told your attorney. 4. How can I keep communication between my spouse and me amicable? You should strive for amicable communication.

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.

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

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...•

What is the first thing to do when you decide to 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 should I wear to meet with an attorney?

Day of consultation The standard attire for meeting with you lawyer should be business casual. Wear dress pants, a nice shirt or top. Women should wear a conservative dress or skirt. Nothing too revealing.

What is it called when you meet with a lawyer for the first time?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship.

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 do you talk about at a lawyer consultation?

During the consultation, the attorney will listen to the facts of your case and give you advice on the best way to approach each issue. Be candid and truthful with the attorney and tell him or her all pertinent facts related to your case, both good and bad.

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.

What can you not do during a divorce?

Don'ts first; here are 10 things not to do;Don't use your children to get at the other person. ... Don't make threats to, or cause harassment to the other person. ... Don't think you are going to take the other person “to the cleaners”. ... Don't try to hide money or assets. ... Don't be unrealistic about cost.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 do you play dirty in a divorce?

Top 10 Dirtiest Divorce TricksServing Papers with the Intent to Embarrass. You're angry with your spouse, and you want to humiliate him or her. ... Taking Everything. ... Canceling Credit Cards. ... Clearing Our Your Bank Accounts. ... Starving Out the Other Spouse. ... Refusing to Cooperate. ... Jeopardizing Employment. ... Meddling in an Affair.More items...•

What to ask a divorce lawyer?

What red flags did your story raise for them? What questions is the lawyer asking you about your situation? This question is your chance to 1) make sure they’ve been hearing you and 2) get insights that could help keep your divorce process moving along without surprises.

How many lawyers should I hire for divorce?

You get to choose who helps you through it. That’s why I highly recommend interviewing at least 2-3 attorneys before selecting one. Don’t let anyone pressure you into working with them, either. This process is going to get harder before it gets easier, so it’s important that the lawyer by your side – the lawyer who is going to be learning a lot about the inner workings of your marriage, your finances, and more – is someone that you trust, respect, and actually like.

Why is it important to have an open mind when getting divorced?

Before you pull into the attorney’s parking lot, repeat this mantra: No two divorces are alike! No two divorces are alike! Having an open mind about the hard things— possible custody schedules, whether or not you need to sell the house, whether or not your family can continue to go on two weeks of vacation each summer— will help your prospective attorney come up with a strategy that meets your long term goals and makes sense for your unique circumstances.

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 does Christy do in a divorce?

For Christy, receiving this information allows her to give the most bang for a potential client’s buck in terms of an initial consultation. She can give a prospective client a pretty good idea of what will happen to each of those assets and liabilities in a divorce and help a potential client understand what their financial picture will look like post divorce.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

What happens when you are amicable in a divorce?

When parties are ethical and open about their financial worth during an amicable divorce, each party will know what debts and assets that the other party has. During a contested divorce, some parties may try to hide their assets. Financial professionals may be needed to track down hidden assets.

Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney on Your First Visit

In few settings is time more valuable than in an attorney’s office. You pay for your divorce attorney ‘s time, so make every second count by asking all the right questions, right from the first visit.

Asking an Attorney The Right Questions

Most teachers will tell you that children do not ask enough questions. The same is true in just about any lopsided relationship — your attorney is the authority, right, and you are the unknowing client. You should trust what your attorney tells you, no questions asked, right?

Time is Money

In most cases, for most Virginia divorce attorneys, cases are billed by the hour. Ask about the fee structure. No need to be bashful or coy about this; you are paying for the time you have with your divorce attorney, so you should know how billing works.

Communication is KEY

Ask how you and your attorney or legal team will communicate. When are good times to telephone? Is email best? If you do not hear from your attorney for two weeks, should you worry?

Property Settlement

In Virginia, property settlement agreements are the typical vehicles for dealing with all aspects of divorce, including splitting marital assets. Virginia is a state that follows equitable distribution, not community property. Equitable, please note, does not mean “even,” it means “fair.”

Her Attorney

Ask your attorney how to deal with your divorcing wife’s attorney. Should you refrain from contacting your soon-to-be ex-wife and her attorney? Should everything go through your divorce lawyer once you hire one?

Your Children

Ask your divorce attorney how your children will be affected by, and managed throughout, the divorce. Does the attorney recommend a particular counselor, or therapist?

Is divorce a stressful time?

Few events in life can be as stressful and traumatic as a divorce. Along with riding an emotional roller coaster, you face significant legal and family consequences. During a divorce, it is essential to have an experienced divorce lawyer who can help you navigate this uncertain time and achieve the outcome you deserve.

Can a divorce cost more than amicable?

A high-conflict divorce can cost significantly more than an amicable divorce. To increase the costs, a spouse may disagree on child custody, child support, alimony and the division of debts and assets.

What does it mean when a lawyer is unable to answer a question?

If a lawyer is unable to answer that question, he or she may be a bad communicator. Structured and focused lawyers have a constructive style of communication that suits the individual client.

Why do lawyers not sign customers?

Right lawyers support the people and organizations they represent, and will not sign customers because they feel the case is not receiving the publicity it deserves.

Is divorce a step forward?

Divorce is a big step forward and the way it is done will have lasting effects on the remaining period of your life. It’s prudent to look for qualified legal counsel regardless of the hand you’re on. You’ve actually never ever been divorced because the process is unique and stressful. You need to research before hiring a divorce attorney to ensure you get the best lawyer for your case.

Can a personal injury lawyer cover court costs?

That means you can cover court bills only if they are willing to get full compensation for the injury. Contingency payments to high-quality attorneys are typically 40 percent of the settlement, which in some cases can also be minimized. Before hiring your attorney, make sure you read the retainer report closely.

You Will Have Quite a Few Questions

Your first meeting with your family lawyer will revolve around your current situation. You may have already filed for divorce, or you may be considering doing so in the near future. Like anyone, you are looking for answers about both the short and long term. As a result, you will have both general and specific questions to ask.

Your Lawyer Will Have Questions for You

More than anything, your divorce lawyer is trying to learn your situation during the first meeting. Do not be surprised if he or she does not have the solution to every single one of your issues on the spot. It may take some time for your lawyer to learn the facts and to develop a legal strategy that could help you.

Be Open and Transparent With Your Lawyer

It is critical to be open with your lawyer. Do not worry that your family law attorney is judging you. Our lawyers operate in a judgment-free zone as our aim is to provide you with the strongest legal representation. Allow your attorney to get to know you as broadly as possible. Do not worry about whether he or she likes you or not.

Everything That You Say Is Protected

If you are worried about anyone else finding out about the contents of your discussion, you can rest assured that communications with your lawyer are privileged. Your lawyer is not allowed to reveal the contents of your conversation under nearly any circumstance. You have a near-absolute right to privilege and privacy in your conversation.

You Will Learn the Ground Rules of Your Case

Additionally, you should expect to go over how the representation will work. The lawyer will discuss things like fees and retainers. While he or she may give you a ballpark estimate of what to expect the divorce will cost, the number could easily change based on how the divorce unfolds.

You Will Leave Knowing More About Your Situation

While you should not expect answers to every single question nor guarantees about your situation, you can plan to leave the meeting knowing more about what you should expect and the legal options that are available to you. The attorney should let you know how they see the process unfolding.