Going through a divorce can be a difficult experience for many people. For some, the experience can be overwhelming when you consider the emotional distress that divorce brings, the financial burden so often associated with divorce, and the legal requirements, which are sometimes directly related to the emotional distress experienced. To help lessen the burden, be sure to hire an experienced, successful, and committed family law attorney. The following are five questions that can help you determine when you have a good family law attorney.
1.) Ask the attorney if they have experience relevant to your case. Have you handled divorce proceedings involving custody battles, child or spousal support questions, or other unique circumstances? Some have major financial concerns that must also be resolved in the divorce proceeding. There is hardly a substitute for experience, so retaining an attorney with relevant experience for your case can be extremely beneficial.
2.) Ask the lawyer how they usually handle a divorce case. Do they go the mediation route or are most of their cases handled in court? This is also a good time to ask about the different types of divorce available and to get advice on each.
3.) Building on the question above, ask if the attorney is a trained mediator or trained in collaborative law.
4.) Ask if the lawyer you are speaking with will be responsible for negotiating the terms of the divorce or if another lawyer in the firm will be responsible. It’s always good to know who’s going to represent you, and sometimes the only way to know for sure is to just ask the question.
5.) Finally, ask if there are any ancillary services you may need, such as bookkeeping, other financial services, private investigators, etc. You will also want to inquire about the fees associated with these services and, of course, the fees associated with the attorney handling your divorce case. Also ask if there are any other fees that have not been mentioned in your discussion.
During your initial consultation, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Treat it like an interview of sorts so you leave your office feeling like you have a good idea of how your case will be handled and what to expect throughout the process.