what to ask lawyer when considering a divorce

21 Questions To Ask a Divorce Lawyer During Your First Visit

1. How Much Experience Do You Have In Divorce And Is It Your Specialty? Experience counts. Oftentimes, a lawyer’s or law...
2. What Is The Divorce Process Like? You’ll want to ask what you and your spouse will go through in the divorce process.
3. How Do You Think The Judge Will Rule In My Divorce Case? If you...

Full Answer

What are some questions to ask a divorce attorney?

If you want to hire a specific attorney, they’ll probably give you a contract and might need a deposit in order to take on your case. Before they can file anything, they’ll require a lot of information, hence, before meeting them, ensure that you ask about what they’ll need for the claim. 5. “Who Should Move Out?”

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Don’t hesitate to ask your attorney questions such as:

• What is the timeline of this process?
• What sort of paperwork must I have prepared for closing?
• What do I need to arrange with my bank/ mortgage lender?
• What available funds must I have in my bank account?

What questions should I ask at a divorce consultation?

Questions That You Should Ask the Attorney. When you visit the attorney’s office, it is important for you to find out as much as you can about the attorney, the process, and other details of the divorce process that you need to know about. To find everything you need to know, you need to prepare a list of questions to ask the divorce lawyer.

What questions are asked in divorce court?

What Questions Are Asked at a Deposition?

• Financial. Financial information is an essential aspect of divorce cases, especially when there is a division of property, assets, and debts.
• Child Custody. ...
• Physical and Mental Health. ...
• Recreational Activities. ...
• Living Situation. ...
• Specific Events and Dates. ...

What questions should I ask when getting 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...

What to prepare before asking for a divorce?

Top 10 Things to Do Before You File For a DivorceNever Threaten to Divorce Until You Are Ready To File. ... Organize Your Documents. ... Focus on Your Children. ... Make Sure You Have Three Months of Financial Resources. ... Obtain the Best Legal Advice You Can Get. ... Make Sure You Have Available Credit.More items...

What are the first steps when considering a divorce?

Here are 10 basic steps to the divorce process:Step 1: Preparing to File for Divorce.Step 2: Filing for Divorce.Step 3: Serving the Divorce Papers.Step 4: Responding to the Divorce.Step 5: Temporary Orders.Step 6: Financial Disclosures.Step 7: Discovery.Step 8: Settlement.More items...

What questions should I ask my 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...•

How do I protect myself financially in a divorce?

If divorce is looming, here are six ways to protect yourself financially.Identify all of your assets and clarify what's yours. Identify your assets. ... Get copies of all your financial statements. Make copies. ... Secure some liquid assets. Go to the bank. ... Know your state's laws. ... Build a team. ... Decide what you want — and need.

What can be used against you in a divorce?

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.

What are the five stages of divorce?

There are two processes in divorce. The emotional process can be broken down into 5 stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Does it make a difference who files for divorce first?

Filing for divorce first does not give you any inherent rights over your spouse. One benefit is that if the specific facts of your case warrant, you could have a choice of which county—and sometimes which state — to file the paperwork in. To be clear, you cannot just file in any ol' location.

How should a woman prepare for a 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 is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What you should know before you talk to a lawyer?

10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•

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...•

What to ask a divorce lawyer for the first time?

When discussing with your divorce lawyer for the first time, it’s crucial to ask for testimonials from past clients.

What should an experienced divorce lawyer show you?

An experienced divorce lawyer should show you how much you can discuss with your spouse and examples of off-limit discussions.

What happens if an attorney has a high caseload?

If an attorney has a high caseload, it may put you in the backlog, leading to negligence and jeopardizing the divorce process.

What is a good divorce lawyer?

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.

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

However, if you’re unable to hire a good lawyer, you’ll struggle to make a case, and the divorce may end up unfavorably.

What is collaborative divorce?

Collaborative divorce is mostly an out-of-court agreement to dissolve a marriage on peaceful terms.

Is a divorce attorney a service?

The divorce attorney is offering a service. Most service providers don’t get it right at the first attempt. While they get better over time, you don’t want to be a source of experience to the lawyer.

What to ask your attorney about divorce?

Ask about the general process and steps, the documentation needed, temporary orders/agreements that may be needed, and an approximate timeline.

What to do if you have a negative feeling about your spouse?

Even if you have negative feelings about your spouse, it is better to try to deal with those issues on your own instead of fighting them out. 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.

How to save on attorney fees?

Your fee agreement should explain everything you need to know about billing but most importantly you should discuss ways you can save on fees. For example, it may be more cost efficient to save up all of your questions that arise throughout the day or the week then email them over and schedule a phone call to answer the questions. A quick phone call may be cheaper than the attorney answering multiple questions everyday for a week.

Why is it important to ask an attorney about a complaint?

One of the biggest complaints lawyers get is that their clients feel that they often don’t know what is happening with their case. That is why it is important that you find an attorney you will feel comfortable communicating with. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your attorney when you meet for the first time: 1.

How many attorneys work on a client's case?

In some firms, only one attorney works on the client’s case whereas other offices take a more collaborative approach.

What happens if you work out your own custody agreement?

If you are able to work out your own agreement in a child custody case, you are also setting the groundwork for greater cooperation in the future as you raise your children with your former spouse.

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.

What is the most contentious aspect of divorce?

Dividing up property a couple has acquired throughout their marriage (also known as marital property) can be one of the most contentious aspects of divorce. Luckily, divorce attorneys can help alleviate some of your legal and financial stresses by advocating for a division of property that works in your favor.

Is divorce exhaustive?

As you can see, the above list extensive -- yet, it is not exhaustive. Every divorce is different since every couple enters and leaves a marriage under different circumstances and with different assets. Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all ...

Is it a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property?

Therefore, to ensure no property is overlooked, it is always a good idea to have an open and frank conversation with your attorney regarding all of the property and assets relevant to your case.