15 Interview Questions to Ask a Divorce LawyerWhat areas of law do you practice? ... What geographical area and courts do you cover? ... What experience do you have with divorce cases? ... How will you help me resolve my divorce case? ... What accreditations do you have? ... Have you ever taught a family law legal seminar?More items...•Feb 5, 2017
5 more things to ask for in a divorce settlement agreement Co-parenting plan. Relationship building. Documentation. Money.Aug 16, 2019
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
A wife has the legal right to stay in the matrimonial home under any circumstances i.e even after her spouse dies. If there's a case of divorce, the woman may choose to live in her matrimonial home until there is a proper place for her to move in. she can legally stay in that home if she wants to.Mar 14, 2021
Four Primary Issues in DivorceProperty Division. Almost every marital estate includes assets and debts. ... Spousal Maintenance. ... Custody and Parenting Time. ... Child Support.Jan 24, 2013
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
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
10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•Feb 6, 2020
Hiding any critical information regarding your divorce may hinder the lawyer’s ability to critically assess your situation and offer the appropriate advice. At this point, be honest and open during the consultation. Share all the key details surrounding the divorce even if you do not feel they are relevant. You may have to reveal intimate and personal details regarding your relationship with your spouse but do not worry as this is perfectly normal and appropriate.
If the lawyer is promising you the world and telling you everything you’d like to hear, be cautious. No lawyer can really promise you 100% success in a divorce case as there are too many variables involved including how a judge will decide, the duration of the case proceedings and subsequently the costs involved.
There are many different questions to ask a divorce lawyer. You should always interview several divorce lawyers before choosing one, and bring some questions with you to your first meeting. This guide will help.
What areas of law do you practice? This will ensure the lawyer actually specializes in divorce and family law. Lawyers that practice in multiple areas of the law probably do not have the requisite expertise you need.
A good attorney will answer emails and phone calls within 24 hours, and may have someone on staff who can respond earlier.
If you are not able to settle your case out of court, you want an attorney who is experienced and is willing and able to go to trial, if necessary, and who is familiar and comfortable with the local court system.
A good attorney will provide his or her client with copies of everything that is received or sent out. You don’t want an attorney who gets a settlement offer from your spouse’s attorney and forgets to send it to you for your consideration.
A good family law attorney often has a team to help him or her, which is great, but it is important for you to know who will be working on your case, who will be communicating with you, who will be in charge, and how you will be billed for that work. 4.
If the attorney doesn’t get along with many people, works 15 hours a day, has conflict in the office, these may be red flags. A divorce attorney’s ability to communicate and get along with other divorce lawyers, and the court, is imperative to the resolution of your case.
Massachusetts divorce lawyers are required by law to discuss alternative dispute resolution with their clients before filing a 1B divorce case. Make sure the attorney is versed in mediation and other ADR methods to help keep the cost down in your case.
Lawyers who are experts in their field often teach legal courses and seminars regarding various topics of family law. Typically, top-notch attorneys are involved with teaching continuing legal education seminars.
Some Massachusetts lawyers practice in more than one area of law. While this does not mean they are not effective advocates, it is very difficult to have a complete knowledge base of more than one area of law. Be careful of a divorce lawyer that practices in multiple areas of law, such as personal injury, estate planning, and so forth.
A lawyer who promotes conflict in your case is not someone you want representing you. There are many ways that an experienced divorce lawyer can be extremely aggressive, yet very cooperative with the other side and cordial to the Probate and Family Court.
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.
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.
If an attorney cannot provide you with multiple references to former clients, that attorney may not have much success representing clients. The former clients should also be types of cases similar to yours. I am not referring to you going through a divorce and getting a referral to a prior divorce client.
If the attorney does not have a solid command of the law on these issues, he or she may lack the experience you need. This is especially true if you expect your divorce to be contested and high conflict. Questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit about the divorce process. 1.
The attorney should explain to you the importance of the attorney - client relationship and the privilege in communications. The attorney should explain to you how and why you should not disclose attorney - client communications to any third parties or your spouse. This is a complex topic.
The more complex the case, the more the communication will likely take place. A typical case has communication between one to four times per month.
I use the word "likely" because there are facts you may not know and which may surprise you during the divorce.