Questions You Should Ask a Divorce Attorney
Posted on July 17, 2018 in Divorce
If you are considering a divorce or you have made the decision to end your marriage, you may be getting all sorts of advice from family members and friends. There is a good chance that some of them have recommended hiring an attorney—and they probably have just the right lawyer for you. While whatever attorneys they have in mind may have helped them in the past, you need to select a divorce attorney who is the best fit for you and your situation.
At our firm, we encourage potential clients to ask as many questions as they would like and to learn more about our lawyers before making any decisions. During these conversations, many individuals ask similar questions—questions are that extremely important in helping people choose a lawyer and a law firm. It is up to you to decide what constitutes a satisfactory response, but the lawyer you select should be able to answer questions such as:
- How much experience do you have in family law? An attorney with many years of experience in divorce and family law matters will have a working knowledge of the applicable state laws, as well as a familiarity with local courts. A lawyer who is younger and has less experience may cost less but may also be willing to work harder as he or she looks to build a positive reputation;
- Who will handle my case? The names of the partners in a particular law firm may be obvious, but will one of them really be doing most of the legwork on your case? You have the right to know if your case will be mostly handled by paralegals or associates. Remember that you might pay more in fees if a partner does most of the work;
- What is your approach to divorce? Some lawyers are proud of their reputation as a “bulldog” in divorce cases and all but refuse to compromise. Other attorneys are skilled negotiators who like to develop creative solutions. Still others practice between the two extremes. It is important to find an attorney who is willing and able to practice in a manner that reflects your values and needs;
- What is your firm’s fee structure? You deserve to know if every phone call or text message from you will result in billable hours for your attorney. You should also know in advance if rates increase for court time or travel. Be sure to ask about inter-office conferences also, as some firms will charge for several attorneys’ time even if you did not know that a meeting or conference about your case was taking place.
Any question that you ask should lead to more detailed discussions with a prospective lawyer. It is up to you to learn as much as you can during your first conversation so that you have the information necessary to make the right decision.
Contact Us Today
At Andrew Cores Family Law Group, we welcome your questions and we look forward to answering them openly and honestly. Contact one of our experienced DuPage County divorce attorneys to schedule a free consultation today. Call 630-871-1002 for an appointment at any of our three convenient office locations.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-m-gregg/making-the-most-of-your-c_1_b_2832904.html
http://info.legalzoom.com/questions-ask-divorce-lawyer-during-initial-consultation-20651.html
