questions to ask when interviewing divorce lawyer

by Jenifer Bins 7 min read

What are some interview questions for divorce?

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

What should a woman ask for in a divorce settlement?

5 more things to ask for in a divorce settlement agreement Co-parenting plan. Relationship building. Documentation. Money.Aug 16, 2019

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

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

What are women's rights in a divorce?

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

What are the four main issues in divorce?

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

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

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

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.Oct 28, 2020

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

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

Can a divorce lawyer hide your information?

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.

Can a divorce lawyer promise 100% success?

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.

Here are the top fifteen interview questions to ask a divorce attorney

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.

Here are the top fifteen interview questions to ask a divorce lawyer

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.

How long does it take for an attorney to respond to a phone call?

A good attorney will answer emails and phone calls within 24 hours, and may have someone on staff who can respond earlier.

What to do if you can't settle a case out of court?

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.

What does a good attorney do?

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.

What is a good family law attorney?

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.

How many hours a day does a divorce attorney work?

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.

What is the law in Massachusetts for divorce?

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.

What do lawyers teach?

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.

Can a Massachusetts divorce lawyer practice in more than one area of law?

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.

Can a divorce lawyer be aggressive?

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.

Why is it important to ask a divorce attorney about their experience?

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 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.

What happens if an attorney cannot provide references to former clients?

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.

What happens if an attorney does not have a solid command of the law?

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.

What should an attorney explain to you?

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.

How often do attorneys communicate?

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.

Why do you use "likely" in divorce?

I use the word "likely" because there are facts you may not know and which may surprise you during the divorce.

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How to Interview A Divorce Lawyer: The Right Questions to Ask

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Filing for divorce or being served with divorce papers is perhaps one of the most daunting experiences spouses can ever go through. For the average person, this is usually a very confusing and troubling moment as they suddenly find themselves in unknown territory with no idea on how to proceed. While some may immediately …
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Get Recommendations

  • This should ideally be one of the first moves you make as you search for a lawyer to represent you. Get in touch with a family member or friend who has gone through a divorce and speak with them to ascertain whether their lawyer or even their spouse’s may be right for you. While this is a great starting point, it’s even more important to get a personal feel of a potential lawyer via an in…
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Do Your Investigation

  • Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential divorce lawyers to hire, you’ll need to carry out a personal investigation about them and eventually carry out an initial consultation. Look them up online and find out as much as you can before putting a call across to them. When you eventually call the lawyer, try to observe their approach towards you. Do they listen? Are they in a hurry to o…
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Prepare Yourself For The Interview

  • You should ideally prepare all relevant information pertaining to your divorce proceedings before meeting with any potential lawyer. Details regarding your personal assets, possible custody arrangements, and any other information you consider important should be readily available during the consultation. This information will enable the divorce lawyer to make informed decisi…
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Be Open

  • 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 y…
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Consider The Fees

  • During the consultation, find out what fees you will be expected to pay for their service. Is there a fixed price or hourly price for representation? Is there a minimum charge if they bill you hourly? These are some of the questions you should ask regarding what you’ll be expected to pay. You should also find out about a breakdown of what exactly you’ll be charged for to avoid any surpris…
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Avoid The Sweet Talk

  • 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.
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Ask More Questions

  • Asking the right questions and getting the appropriate answers will help you decide whether or not to hire a certain lawyer, so don’t hesitate to ask anything you believe may be relevant to your divorce or working relationship with them. The following are some of the key questions you should ideally ask when interviewing your potential divorce lawyer.
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What Next?

  • Once you’ve decided on which lawyer to hire to represent you, they should ideally send you a written agreement that spells out the terms of the retainer and the fees involved. Choosing the right lawyer is no guarantee on the outcome of your divorce case but it certainly gives you a better footing in the proceedings. The tips and suggested questions above should help you prepare an…
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