what to ask divorce lawyer at first meeting

What questions should I ask my divorce lawyer?

This guide on questions to ask a divorce attorney is comprehensive. We focused the guide on questions to ask about your case. We did not get into the attorney's background. We assumed you conducted enough due diligence to ensure you …

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

Feb 09, 2022 · Why should I choose you to handle my divorce? This answer should give you information about the attorney’s experience and commitment to client care. If not, be sure to ask. You might also ask if you will be working with multiple members of a team or primarily with one person throughout the process. What is your fee structure and how do you bill?

What questions should I Ask my attorney on my first visit?

Oct 29, 2019 · During your first meeting, these are some questions you can ask to learn more about the divorce process and what to expect during your divorce. 1. What Do You Need to Know from Me? When meeting with a divorce lawyer for the first time, many clients struggle with where to start with their story. There are often many years of history to unpack in a one- or two-hour …

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

Most divorce lawyers offer an initial consultation at a reduced fee (or no fee) — you’ll begin to pay only once you sign a retainer agreement. Your first meeting provides you the opportunity to ask your divorce lawyer what fees and rates they charge and negotiate the …

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Here are five keys and some secrets to get the most value from your first meeting with a lawyer:Prepare a Factual Outline. ... Gather and Organize Your Documents.Identify Your Objectives. ... Write Out Your Questions and Don't be Afraid to Ask Them. ... Conserve and Consolidate Your Communications.

What should I ask for in a divorce settlement?

5 Things To Make Sure Are Included In Your Divorce SettlementA detailed parenting-time schedule—including 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

Why moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce?

One of the most significant ways moving out can influence your divorce is when it comes to child custody. If you move out, it means you don't spend as much time with your kids. Not only can this harm your relationship, but it can also damage your custody claim.Mar 31, 2021

What a woman should do to prepare for divorce?

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.

What to discuss with a divorce lawyer?

During your first meeting with a lawyer, you can discuss potential strategies to better manage the cost of a divorce. Of course, the cost does not all depend on you or your lawyer – your spouse and his or her lawyer will play a big role in the ultimate cost. 3.

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.

What are my legal options?

Just because you’re consulting with a divorce lawyer doesn’t mean that divorce is the only potential outcome of your case. Your lawyer will review the options available — including a trial separation, a legal separation, and divorce, and explain the similarities and differences between each of these paths forward.

When and how will we communicate with each other?

Your divorce attorney will discuss with you the whens and hows of attorney-client communication. If you’d like regular updates on your case, you can ask your attorney if this is something they’ll provide; if you’d prefer to speak to your attorney only when there’s been a new development, this is also something that can be accommodated.

What rates and fees do you charge?

Most divorce lawyers offer an initial consultation at a reduced fee (or no fee) — you’ll begin to pay only once you sign a retainer agreement. Your first meeting provides you the opportunity to ask your divorce lawyer what fees and rates they charge and negotiate the scope of the representation.

What can I tell my spouse?

Once you’ve begun divorce proceedings, your communications with your spouse may (and should be) more constrained, even if you’re living in the same home.

What results can I expect?

Any attorney who promises you that you’ll achieve a specific outcome is one to avoid — it’s all but impossible to predict the outcome of any specific case. However, your attorney can lay out the various possibilities and indicate their opinion as to which outcome may be the most likely.

Should I move out of the house? Can I kick my spouse out?

Once divorce is on the table, spouses rarely want to continue to live under the same roof. However, the question of which spouse should move out is often a complicated one, particularly if both spouses’ incomes are needed to make the mortgage payment.

Who will work on my case and make court appearances on my case?

Unless your appointment is with a solo practitioner, it’s possible that more than one attorney will work on your case — and you may also be represented in court by more than one attorney. This type of collaborative work can benefit you, as having more eyes on a file (and more perspectives to offer) can be valuable.

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.