what questions to ask divorce lawyer on first consultation

5 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer During Your First Meeting

• 1. What Do You Need to Know from Me? ...
• 2. How Can I Make This Divorce Less Expensive? ...
• 3. What Can I Expect the Divorce Process to Be Like? ...
• 4. What Are My Next Steps After This Meeting? ...
• 5. Tell Me About Yourself

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a divorce lawyer?

Now you know the questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit. The next step is meeting with experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorneys. There is no substitute for legal advice from and representation by an experienced California family law attorney. We believe good men and women deserve great family law representation.

What will a divorce lawyer ask me?

Jan 14, 2021 · 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... 2. Ask about communication. How will they check in with you throughout the process? As you’re interviewing ...

What to take to a divorce consultation?

May 24, 2021 · One of the questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit is about how you will communicate throughout your case. Being able to communicate regularly with your attorney is essential to a successful case. An attorney should let you know how long you may wait for a response, which can spare you from feeling frustrated later on.

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Sep 15, 2020 · What should you be asking a divorce attorney at an initial consult? Below are five questions that you should ask of any divorce attorney that you are considering. 1. How long have you been practicing divorce law? There is no substitute for experience. Knowing the judges, the local rules, and opposing lawyers is very beneficial.

What questions should I ask my first divorce lawyer?

Questions to ask a divorce attorney on the first visit about communicationHow often will we communicate about my case? ... How will we communicate with each other? ... What communication should I have with my spouse about the issues you and I discuss? ... How can I keep communication between my spouse and me amicable?More items...

How do I prepare my first consultation with a lawyer?

Prepare For Your ConsultationBring all documents. Make copies of all the documents you have collected regarding your case and give these copies to your lawyer.Have notes ready. ... Dress for success. ... Be honest. ... Talk about costs. ... Ask your lawyer questions. ... Understand all documents you sign. ... Keep your own files.More items...

What questions should I ask a free consultation 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...•Jan 29, 2017

What is an initial consultation?

An Initial consultation is a 90 minute consultation for a new client who would like to meet with a psychologist to discuss current issues and/or concerns and talk about strategies and goals for therapy and/or a treatment plan.

How do I prepare for a consultation?

A lot of thought and preparation go into creating an effective consultation that converts a prospect into a customer or client.Understand your goals. ... Start with a consultation form. ... Be aware of your body language. ... Approach the consultation as a conversation. ... Ask the right questions.More items...•Nov 19, 2020

What do you say when talking to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•Aug 4, 2015

How do you ask a lawyer for help?

How to Ask Another Attorney for HelpStep 1: Know What You Need To Ask. It is best to determine how much help you need before picking up the phone. ... Step 2: Be Respectful of Their Time and Schedule.Step 3: Respect Their Advice.

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation?

Why would a good lawyer not tell a client how their case will come out at the initial consultation? A good lawyer knows that every case is different and without doing research. A good lawyer will not guarantee the outcome of any case.

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.

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.

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.

How long do you have to wait to hire a lawyer?

Now, you might need to hire a lawyer immediately if your spouse has already filed for a divorce, however, if you are the one thinking about filing it, you could wait for several days, weeks, or months before making a decision. If you want to hire a specific attorney, they’ll ...

Can you move right away?

Whether you’ll move or not will depend entirely on you , nonetheless, there are situations where your legal representative will advise you to either stay or move since it can influence your entire case. For example, in the cases of emotional or physical abuse, false allegations of violence, and so on, your attorney will probably tell you to move right away.

Is divorce expensive?

You probably already know that the entire process of getting a divorce is expensive, which is why most people worry about their finances. The expenses you’ll have will depend on a wide range of things including how complex your case is, whether there is custody of the kids involved, as well as how well you can work with your spouse during the divorce.

Is it stressful to get divorced?

Getting a divorce is always extremely stressful for everyone involved, and the situation gets even more serious and daunting when there are children involved. So, if you are feeling uncertainty and denial as you prepare to meet with your divorce lawyer for the very first time, know that it is not unusual and that it happens to everyone.

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.

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.

Does Arizona require spousal support?

Arizona is one of the states that provides for spousal maintenance under certain circumstances after a divorce. If both parties worked during the marriage and are ending the marriage more or less equally situated, alimony is probably not appropriate but the topic should still be addressed with your attorney.

Is Arizona a community property state?

Arizona is a community property state, and the separating spouses will split the marital pot equitably. 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.

Where is Lauren Taylor?

South Carolina divorce attorney Lauren Taylor practices family law in Charleston and Greenville. She graduated from the Charlotte School of Law, and has been practicing for more than ten years.

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 is a good divorce attorney?

A good divorce attorney can provide you an overview of the law, the process, and your basic options at an initial consultation. You should also have the opportunity to explain your particular situation, ask questions, and describe your goals.

What is a good lawyer?

A good lawyer is there to guide you in ways that will help you and protect you legally, financially, and in some ways emotionally. If you speak with an attorney, have your questions answered satisfactorily and clearly and you are confident this lawyer fits the bill, then you should be in good hands.

Do divorce cases settle?

Most cases settle, and better attorneys in my opinion are good at settling cases so court is not necessary. Some attorneys, however, are hesitant to take any case to trial. While you may be confident your case will settle, it is wise to consider a divorce lawyer who has a good balance of trial experience while remaining an advocate of negotiation.

Is there a substitute for experience in divorce?

There is no substitute for experience. Knowing the judges, the local rules, and opposing lawyers is very beneficial. Having actual trial experience is also invaluable for a divorce lawyer, as is experience in drafting and negotiating Separation Agreements, Pleadings, and Court Orders. Learning to actually practice law (as opposed ...

Experience

How long have you been practicing law? Do you practice only family law?

Process and Timing

Do you think it is better to settle my case or litigate (go to court)?

Assets and Debts

How do the state laws determine how we divide our joint assets? Is it always 50/50?

Alimony (spousal support)

Am I eligible to receive alimony payments? Do I have to pay alimony to my ex-spouse?

The Bottom Line

You might not have the opportunity to ask all these questions at your initial divorce consultations. Pick the ones that are most relevant to your situation.