what to ask a family law lawyer

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Family Lawyer Have you handled other cases like mine? Don’t accept an answer of just a number. Ask them about specific details of cases that are similar to your circumstances.

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What questions should I ask my family lawyer?

Kelsey Mulholland of the Ruvolo Law Group, LLC weighs in with, "I think the most important questions for a parent to ask a divorce attorney at the very beginning of a litigation is whether the attorney thinks that parent's idea for a custody/parenting time arrangement is fair or not. Most parties come to an attorney with an idea as to what the ...

What should I look for when looking for an attorney?

Sep 02, 2020 · Don’t accept an answer of just a number. Ask them about specific details of cases that are similar to your circumstances. If spousal support is what worries you most or if you are worried about the future of your children, you need to be reassured that they have successfully handled other cases like yours.

Why hire a family lawyer?

Apr 09, 2015 · Family Law Articles; Immigration Articles; Labor and Employment Articles; Personal Injury Articles; Real Estate Law Articles; View Articles by State; View All Practice Areas; More Resources. COVID-19 Resources; Legal Cost and Outcomes; Lawyer Blogs; Ask a Lawyer Ask a Lawyer. Ask a Question; Recently Answered Questions; Criminal Defense Answers ...

What to ask a divorce attorney about a move away request?

If you have a question about a specific aspect of child custody such as move away requests, ask the attorney what California law states about move away requests. Whatever is on your mind should be in the form of a question to your attorney regarding California family law.

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Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 471 previously answered Family questions. Family Law. Legal Issue. Administrative. Admiralty And Maritime. Adoptions. Alcoholic Beverages. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Americans With Disabilities Act.

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

How do I interview a family lawyer?

Family Lawyer Interview Questions:How do you ensure a mediation between family members remains calm? ... How do you keep your clients up-to-date on their cases? ... Can you describe your hardest family law case? ... What are the most important factors of a will? ... What is your method for prioritizing cases?

What are five things you should ask your lawyer?

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

What do you say in a paralegal interview?

7 Paralegal Interview Questions You Need to KnowWhy did you pursue a career as a paralegal? ... What work experience do you have? ... How are your legal research skills? ... How organized are you and how do you check the accuracy of your work? ... Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.More items...

What do I need to know before hiring a divorce lawyer?

Ten Questions to Ask a Divorce AttorneyDo you specialize in divorces, or are divorces just a part of your practice? ... What is your strategy for my case? ... How long do you take to return phone calls? ... Will anyone else in your office be working on my case? ... How will you charge me?More items...

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

How do I ask my lawyer about my case?

10 things to ask your lawyer in a case reviewHave you handled this type of case before? ... What is the best method for contacting you? ... Who will be handling my case? ... To whom may I speak with about my case? ... What are your fees? ... Are there other fees for which I will be held responsible?More items...•Apr 18, 2014

How do you answer legal interview questions?

Below are some common legal interview questions—plus suggestions on how to approach them.Tell me a little about yourself. ... What attracted you to our firm/organization? ... Can you describe a challenge or conflict you have faced at work and how you overcame it? ... What is your biggest weakness? ... Do you have any questions for us?Mar 20, 2021

Have you handled other cases like mine?

Don’t accept an answer of just a number. Ask them about specific details of cases that are similar to your circumstances. If spousal support is what worries you most or if you are worried about the future of your children, you need to be reassured that they have successfully handled other cases like yours.

Will you handle my case personally or will you have someone else working on it?

Don’t immediately say no if more than one person will be working on your case. A team of lawyers with the support of paralegals and associates can work more efficiently and may even save you money. Outside consultants might also be part of the team, such as personal investigators or other advisors.

How much will you charge me?

You should not be ashamed to bring up the subject of charges. On the contrary, knowing how much something will cost you from the outset will only work to give you peace of mind and avoid surprises. Ask about specific charges such as court costs, outside consultants, and other expenses.

Now that you know my situation, what will be your approach?

A detailed strategy might not be available at this point for the lawyer to share it with you. However, you do want to get a feeling for how aggressive this lawyer is, or what their approach will be. This answer alone might convince you that this is the lawyer for you or, on the other hand, have you running for the door.

Is my request unreasonable?

You might be feeling anxious, sad, depressed, or highly emotional about what you are about to do, whether it’s a divorce, a custody case, or any other family matter. You may be worried that your decisions might not be the right ones at this time.

Why is it important to have a lawyer for your family?

When it comes to retaining proper legal representation during a complicated family matter , it is important to ensure you find the right attorney to handle your type of case. Because there is a wide range of family law-related matters, such as divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, parenting plan modifications, relocation, and more, it is crucial that you find a lawyer who has experience handling cases similar to yours.

How long does it take to get a response from an attorney?

For most people, it is most convenient to have a lawyer who can respond to their questions or concerns within a 24-hour period. It is best to understand your attorney’s policies before your case progresses. Also ask about how they prefer to communicate with their clients (email or phone, daily or weekly, or as needed, etc.). A good attorney will provide personalized attention, but also help you streamline your communications as to reduce your legal costs.

Do family lawyers have a team?

Many family lawyers will have a team when working on complex cases, such as support associates and paralegals. This can work in your benefit, as a team approach can save you money and be more responsive to the demands of your case.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

Why is it important to choose the right lawyer?

Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision—whether you were in a car accident, have a medical malpractice claim, or find yourself the target of a criminal investigation. Referrals from friends or co-workers can be great, but you need to do your homework to make sure you have the right attorney for the job.

What is a conflict in a lawyer?

If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly represents, there would be a conflict. A conflict might also arise if the attorney you are interviewing has already been hired by ...

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.

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.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.

What time do you call a lawyer?

Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field) Morning (8:00AM to 12:00PM) Afternoon (12:00PM to 5:00PM) Evening (5:00PM to 9:00PM) Other. AM PM.

What is volunteer legal services?

In many states legal aid such as Volunteer Legal Services will represent a person of your income and assets for free in a divorce action. Contact them. In many states legal aid such as Volunteer Legal Services will represent a person of your income and assets for free in a divorce action. ... Read More.

Do you have to give consent to change your child's name?

Dear Ms. Millee: Typically the consent of both parents is required to change a child's name. However, if you are the legal guardian of the children, and the parents do not consent, you would have to serve them with notice of the petition for name change.

1. How long have you practiced law?

At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance. Your legal issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school, (or not). It all depends.

2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)?

You'll also want to know about a lawyer's expertise and how much of the attorney's practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases. Click here for a full list of practice area definitions.

3. Who is your typical client?

This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you. Likewise, you may wish to know the financial background of some of the lawyer's clients.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Now is not the time to act shy. Feel free to ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.

5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation?

Some cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed? Will a portion or all of my case be handled by paralegals or legal assistants? If so, ask about reduced costs

This step is obviously an important one. You'll want to know whether you can afford the lawyer's services and how you will be required to pay. This is also the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed.

7. What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?

This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to "go for the kill" in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you.