who to ask for archive on choosing divorce lawyer, divorce accountant

by Duane Emmerich Sr. 8 min read

How do I find the best divorce attorney?

This will also guide you in your quest toward finding the best possible divorce attorney, as most specialize in one or two divorce processes. So, if, for example, you decide that mediation will be the best way to end your marriage, you can then focus your attorney search on lawyers who specialize in mediation.

What to ask a divorce lawyer at the first meeting?

These questions will help you determine the experience and capabilities of the divorce attorney, helping you get the best from the case. Coming up with those questions can be overwhelming. To save you the stress of doing that, here is a list of questions to ask a divorce lawyer at the first meeting. 1- Do you know my partner in any way?

Why should I hire a divorce attorney?

Hiring a divorce attorney is often one of the first steps any person seeking a divorce will perform, and it is easily the most important, as their guiding hand can help make every subsequent step that much easier. Once you have planned to acquire an attorney’s services, your first big decision is which attorney to choose and why.

Should you hire a forensic accountant during a divorce?

That’s why many couples that are going through a divorce turn to a rather unconventional solution: hiring a forensic accountant. Having an accountant assist your attorneys in the preparation of financial records for evidence can boost your chances of producing a favorable result in the divorce process.

Do they have courtroom experience?

Ideally, you and your ex-spouse will come to a fair settlement outside of court.

Have they been licensed in your state for very long?

Just like anyone, attorneys can move around during their careers, and some are even licensed in multiple states. So even though a lawyer might have a lot of experience in divorce law, it might have come in a different jurisdiction.

Comments

Hiring a good divorce lawyer is incredibly important. I like the list of questions you provided. I would add the question if a 10 minutes phone call gets rounded up or down. Those numbers can add up quickly, especially if you have a high conflict divorce.

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How to gauge how involved an attorney wants you to be?

You can gauge how involved an attorney wants you to be by asking how you can help your case. Ask what information and documents you need to provide. Determine there are things you should do to help your case.

What are the factors that complicate divorce?

Your situation is unique based on your relationship, finances, and other factors. You might have matters that complicate the divorce, such as owning a business, being in the military, or having a spouse who doesn’t want the divorce. Having kids with your spouse also complicates the settlement.

Can divorce be settled out of court?

The divorce process is generally the same, but the approach to settling the case can change your experience significantly. Your case can either be settled out of court or be settled in court by a judge.

How to narrow your search for divorce lawyers?

While the number of attorneys you will encounter after a simple Google search can feel overwhelming, you can narrow your search by adding the search query to the divorce process you are seeking (arbitration, mediation, etc.). This will ensure that the lawyers who appear in your search results will specialize in the type of divorce you want.

What are the different ways to go about divorce?

Possible ways to go about the divorce process include arbitration, mediation, litigation, collaborative divorce, summary divorce, contested divorce, and others. Spend time researching these methods and select the path that you think will work best for you.

What is divorce attorney?

Divorce attorneys (a subsection of Family Law) specialize in the entire divorce process from start to finish, help smooth over differences between disagreeing parties, and even offer a sympathetic ear to listen when you feel overwhelmed or upset.

Why is it important to hire a divorce attorney?

Hiring a divorce attorney is often one of the first steps any person seeking a divorce will perform, and it is easily the most important, as their guiding hand can help make every subsequent step that much easier. Once you have planned to acquire an attorney’s services, your first big decision is which attorney to choose and why.

Why do you have to have an interview with an attorney?

Having an actual interview with the attorney can help solidify your mind if they are the right type of person with the right expertise for your case. To ensure that you get all the information you need to make an informed choice, create a list of questions beforehand, and ensure to go over each question in full depth.

What to bring to an interview for a lawyer?

Be sure to remember to bring a pen and paper with you when performing your interviews. Penning down notes will help you remember what the lawyers said when you are making your decision later.

Can a divorce lawyer help you?

Going through a divorce is a painful event, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Compassion, hard-working, experienced are some of the qualities of a divorce lawyer that can help you get what you want out of your marriage’s dissolution so that you can focus on beginning the rest of your life.

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.

I'm not certain my lawyer has a good handle on the financial aspects of my divorce. My spouse owns a business and has property, but I'm not convinced I'm getting my fair share. What should I do?

I’m not certain my lawyer has a good handle on the financial aspects of my divorce. My spouse owns a business and has property, but I’m not convinced I’m getting my fair share. Should I hire a forensic accountant to assist my lawyer during my divorce? What should I do?

Should I hire a forensic accountant to assist my lawyer during my divorce?

Since your spouse owns a business and has property, it is critical to employ a forensic accountant (CPA) who has extensive family law experience for the business, as well as a certified real estate appraiser since there is real property involved. Your attorney should be able to recommend qualified experts.

Cost

  • Let’s just go ahead and start here, as it’s first and foremost on most people’s minds. No matter which way you look at it, one thing is for certain: divorce can be expensive. You must consider the potential costs associated with maintaining dual households, child support, alimony, and legal fees, among other expenses. While it is logical to try to save as much money as possible, many …
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Family Law / Divorce Experience

  • Attorneys are like doctors in the sense that most have areas of expertise. You wouldn’t go to a dermatologist to get a prescription for eyeglasses, would you? In the same sense, you want a divorce lawyer that is highly-experienced in the area of family law, and is well-skilled in handling divorce cases. Some questions worth asking during the interview phase would be: 1. What perce…
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Local Experience & Reputation

  • Experience with the local court system is another very important factor to consider when choosing the right divorce lawyer to handle your case. When it comes to applying the statutes and law to your case, judges have a wide range of discretion. This means that for each of the 24 Family Courts in Maryland, each judge has his or her own unique way of...
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Compatibility

  • As mentioned above, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to choosing a divorce lawyer. Attorneys are people, too — and they all operate differently. The best divorce lawyer for one person, may very well not be the best divorce lawyer for you, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. The sad, but true, reality is that even divorce cases that start out a…
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Do They Exclusively Practice Family Law?

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As long as an attorney has a law degree, they can generally claim to be a “divorce lawyer.” However, all attorneys have varying degrees of experience possibly in a number of different practice areas. The best attorney for you should have extensive experience in family law, and particularly, divorce. If you have children, you’ll also …
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Have They Been Licensed in Your State For Very Long?

  • Just like anyone, attorneys can move around during their careers, and some are even licensed in multiple states. So even though a lawyer might have a lot of experience in divorce law, it might have come in a different jurisdiction. This is significant since laws can vary substantially at the local level. Make sure you hire an attorney well-versed in the regulations in your area who has ha…
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Do They Have Courtroom Experience?

  • Ideally, you and your ex-spouse will come to a fair settlement outside of court. Divorcing amicably can help save time, money, and heartache, but it’s possible you’re going to need to fight things out in court. In that case, you need an attorney with courtroom experience who can help you get the best outcome possible.
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Will You Get Along?

  • This is an intangible consideration, but important nonetheless. Whoever you hire to represent you is a person you’re going to be spending a lot of time with and working very closely with. It’s very important that you hire someone whose personality and values you match with. You’re not hiring a friend or even necessarily someone you want to grab a drink with, but the more you get along th…
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