Nov 23, 2021 ¡ Here is a list of questions to ask a divorce lawyer during your first meeting to better understand the divorce process and their qualifications. Table of Contents. Ask About The Divorce Process And Their Background Experience; Ask About The Total Costs Of Divorce; Ask About Who You Should Communicate With; Types of Divorce Cases; Legal Advice
Here are a list of topics we cover in this question and answer guide. If you want to skip ahead, click on any of the links below. Communication File security and access References and reviews Delegation of responsibility Cost of divorce Reasonable expectations Your living arrangements Temporary orders Child custody and parenting time
Jan 14, 2021 ¡ What questions is the lawyer asking you about your situation? This question is your chance to 1) make sure theyâve been hearing you and 2) get insights that could help keep your divorce process moving along without surprises. 5. Talk about payment. This question is especially important if youâre concerned about your financial situation.
Mar 22, 2021 ¡ Below are 5 questions to ask your divorce lawyer, a few tips to help guide someone going through this situation, and hopefully help them know what to ask an attorney before filing for divorce. 1. What Is the Process? It helps first to understand what to expect. Ask questions about what the process is in the State of Arizona to get a divorce.
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...
5 Things To Make Sure Are Included In Your Divorce SettlementA detailed parenting-time scheduleâincluding holidays! ... Specifics about support. ... Life insurance. ... Retirement accounts and how they will be divided. ... A plan for the sale of the house.Sep 14, 2017
Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.Jan 22, 2021
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...â˘Jan 29, 2017
There's no single ârightâ answer when asking for a divorce, but with preparation, you can make a tough conversation go a little more smoothly:Prepare Yourself. ... Choose A Suitable Place and Time. ... Keep Your Cool for Your Kids. ... Be Gentle, But Firm. ... Listen to Their Perspective. ... Be Understanding and Empathetic.More items...â˘Dec 19, 2019
9 Critical Steps Women Should Take To Prepare For DivorceGather your financial records. ... Open a Post Office Box. ... Start putting money away for legal and other professional fees. ... Open a new checking and savings account. ... Open new credit cards in your name only. ... Get a copy of your credit report.
Filing for divorce before your spouse allows you more control over the situation from the beginning and could provide some strategic options. Filing for divorce first does not give you any inherent rights over your spouse.Jan 26, 2021
How to Protect Yourself During DivorceIf you have children, consider staying in the family home. ... Don't allow your spouse to take the children and leave. ... Get an attorney. ... Safeguard personal papers and make copies of important records. ... Cancel all jointly-owned credit cards. ... Make a record of all marital property.More items...
Yes. If you're ready to, you are free to date other people while separated. Your separation agreement is critical though because if the timing of the relationship comes into question during your divorce your relationship may be considered as an affair or adultery.Aug 5, 2021
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...â˘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
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...â˘Aug 4, 2015
You would not want to go into the operating room with a surgeon who had only seen a few patients. It is the same with attorneys. You want someone with expertise that can understand the unique circumstances of your family law case and advise you on how to deal with them.
While every lawyer is different, and thereâs no guarantee of results, there are certain processes and protocols that attorneys commonly follow. A skilled lawyer should be able to give you an idea of what to expect and provide timelines of cases similar to yours.
Maybe you prefer face-to-face meetings, or would rather talk on the phone than send an email. It is important that you find out how your lawyer prefers to communicate, and make sure that it aligns with your wants and needs
Some lawyers work alone, while others will utilize associate attorneys, paralegals and third-party providers. You do not want to hire a divorce attorney you think is ideal for you only to find out that he or she will be passing your case off to someone else.
From paycheck stubs to mortgage statements, organizing relevant documents is a key part of being prepared. A potential family law attorney should be able to give you an idea of the documentation that will best support your case.
While your attorney likely will not be able to give you an exact number, learning how they bill clients (e.g., hourly, fixed fee) and deal with additional third-party costs (e.g., filing fees) will give you an idea of the money youâll have to spend if you work with them.
A retainer is a lump sum payment that you pay to a lawyer to secure their future legal services.
The last thing you want happening is your lawyer not performing to their bests due to emotional attachments with your spouse.
Taking divorce cases to court only prolongs it unnecessarily. Most times, the only effect of taking a divorce to court is elevated fees.
The divorce attorney is offering a service. Most service providers donât get it right at the first attempt. While they get better over time, you donât want to be a source of experience to the lawyer.
After conducting tons of research and asking tens of questions, youâve decided to settle on a divorce lawyer.
Your documents are all yours, and there are no reasons why your attorney should be keeping them away from you. A typical answer to this question should be a resounding yes.
Most times, you may have to pay extra costs if the divorce process meets a specific condition.
Good divorce lawyers are excellent communicators. They must be available to answer your questions at any time while reaching you for information if need be.
For many women, the âgoalâ of hiring an attorney may simply be âget me outta this marriage!â 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.
Most states allow individuals to represent themselves in the divorce process. And, itâs more common than you think: 80 percent of divorces involve at least one party representing themselves. Lots of people go this route â which means you can, too.
If youâve made up your mind and thereâs no alternative but divorce, talking to at least a few lawyers is always a good idea. The first consultation is usually always free, so youâve 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.
Alimony is a numbers game. Sometimes the best way to prepare and present the back alimony case is to play the numbers game using experts. For example, forensic accounting experts and vocational rehabilitative experts can help support or defend an alimony claim.
Have you read âGetting to Yesâ? âGetting to Yes,â a book by the authors of the Harvard Negotiation Project, is considered the authority on principled settlement. These guys originated the concept of win-win, later made famous by Stephen Covey and his â7 Habits of Highly Effective People.â.
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.
While Florida doesnât 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.
Child support is based on a formula in Florida . But often we have a difficult time getting to a child support number. Thatâs because while the formula might be straightforward, sometimes finding out the numbers to put into the formula is anything but. My spouse has a business and lies about his income to the IRS.
The reality is certain cases must go to litigation in order to get the right result. You are vetting not just the transactional experience of your family law attorney, but also their ability to litigate if and when it is required.