questions to ask when meeting ith a divorce lawyer in the us

What questions should I ask my 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.

Should I talk to a divorce lawyer?

Nov 11, 2018 · An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will have paid close attention to the information you have discussed and will offer their best legal advice. For those contemplating divorce, meeting with an attorney for the first time can be intimidating. But, by being prepared, organized, and honest, you will be able to take advantage of your ...

Can a divorce attorney tell me what the typical and results are?

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 a …

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

10. So What is the Divorce Process Actually Like? You should have a discussion with your attorney about what the divorce process is like so that you know what to expect. Ask about the general process and steps, the documentation needed, temporary orders/agreements that may be needed, and an approximate timeline.

What questions should I ask when getting a divorce?

How do I prepare for a divorce meeting?

What questions should I ask my lawyer?

What a man should ask for in a divorce settlement?

How a woman should prepare for divorce?

How can a woman protect herself in a divorce?

What lawyers should not tell?

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

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

What are the four main issues in divorce?

What do you say when divorce is final?

What is leverage in a divorce?

Do divorce lawyers go to trial?

The reality is that divorce attorneys need to both be able to “get the deal done” and go to trial and win when a resolution cannot be reached. Divorce attorneys are both transactional and trial lawyers.

Can you keep the status quo during a divorce?

Often it is ideal to keep the status quo during a pending divorce until all of the issues get finally resolved. Unfortunately, emotions are high and often one party, especially the one controlling the purse strings, threatens to change the status quo of the other party.

What is single pot divorce?

Divorce cases are ”single pot” cases, where the monies spent on the case can correspondingly lead to a decrease in money available for the parties. Cost-benefit analysis is required at every stage of the game.

Can an attorney handle a high conflict case?

It’s just the stark reality of life that no attorney can handle a caseload that is 100% high-conflict. High-conflict cases tend to take up a disproportionate amount of time, energy, and emotional resources.

What is a good deal in a case?

Even if your case does not step foot in a courtroom, it’s good to have an understanding of how the law works to get a basic idea of what is a good deal in your case. Of course, a good deal also accounts for subjective things like your particular needs or your spouse’s particular needs.

Is divorce easy?

Divorce is not easy , and the vast majority of the people that we consult with are not emotionally ready to pull the trigger. Often a driving force is that there are assets, other financial obligations, or even relationships with children that need to be protected, and the jurisdiction of the court needs to be invoked.

Is Florida a legal separation state?

While Florida doesn’t exactly call it a legal separation, the state does offer an alternative for two parties to divide assets and to provide support to one another even without filing a divorce. The separate maintenance actions can give rise to what is in effect a legal separation in Florida.

What is the process of filing for divorce?

The process includes filing for divorce, serving or notifying the other party, gathering information, possible temporary orders to address child custody, support and managing assets during the divorce, and some form of resolution through either a settlement agreement or a court hearing.

Is divorce difficult?

Divorces are difficult even in the best of circumstances. Every divorce is very different, and the timing and difficulty of the process will depend on the issues that the parties need to resolve and the level of cooperation between the parties. However, most divorces follow a similar process.

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.

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.

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.

What does an attorney do after divorce?

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. While the attorney should be working to resolve the issues as amicably as possible, sometimes court intervention is needed.

Is it better to settle or go to trial for divorce?

You can save money on your divorce, and your attorney should be able to point out areas where you can save on fees and where the costs of litigating an issue might outweigh the potential benefits. Settlement is typically better than taking things to trial, unless one spouse is being unreasonable.

Can an attorney save money on divorce?

But, your attorney should be able to have a discussion with you about what the attorney can foresee at that time such as costs of mediation and potential experts that may be helpful. You can save money on your divorce, and your attorney should be able to point out areas where you can save on fees and where the costs of litigating an issue might ...

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.

Do lawyers have to be transparent?

Lawyers are ethically required to be transparent about how much their hourly rate is and their fee structure. Your fee agreement should explain everything you need to know about billing but most importantly you should discuss ways you can save on fees.

Can an attorney see you when you are not at your best?

Your attorney may end up seeing you when you’re not at your best, which is alright if you have a good attorney-client relationship. Experienced family law attorneys understand how difficult divorce is and will help you see past your immediate problems so you can envision yourself moving on and starting over again.

What is the discovery and disclosure phase?

You will have to go through a discovery and disclosure phase, where you have to find and turn in all your personal financial documents, such as tax returns and bank statements. You may also have to answer questions related to your personal life. Hopefully, you can work out an agreement and avoid court intervention.

What to expect during a divorce consultation?

The subjects discussed during your consultation will depend on how far along you are in your divorce. Some clients are eager to file for divorce immediately, while others are still unsure if a divorce is right for them and just want some information about their legal rights.

Can an attorney meet with you privately?

An attorney will meet with you privately or may ask your permission to have an assistant sit in on the meeting. Anything you tell your attorney or the assistant will be kept private due to the "attorney-client privilege," and as a result, you don't have to worry about your spouse finding out what you discussed.