20 Questions to ask a Divorce Attorney before retaining them
Here are some examples of questions you should consider asking a divorce attorney before retaining them. They are listed, loosely, in order of importance. The questions are designed to help make sure you hire an attorney who:
- spends the majority, if not all, of their time practicing family law
- has the skills to settle your case outside of court if possible as this is always the preferred conclusion
- recognizes the value of experts in finance and mental health
- can provide you reassurance you will be fairly billed and paid attention to during the emotional process of divorce
- What percentage of your practice is divorce?
- What kind of trial experience have you had in divorce?
- What percentage of your cases settle outside of court?
- Are you a certified specialist in family law?
- How many divorces did you work on last year?
- Do you typically engage experts such as forensic accountants, certified divorce financial analysts, child custody experts and vocational evaluators?
- Do you use experts as trial consultants to help you prepare case theory on specific issues?
- Do you typically try to settle cases?
- Are you trained in mediation?
- Do you provide unbundled legal services?
- How do you bill?
- Can you estimate what your fees will be?
- Other than attorney fees, are there any costs that I will need to pay?
- How much do you think these costs will be?
- Will an assistant do the work or are you going to work on it yourself?
- How will I be charged for your assistant’s work?
- Who is the contact person in your office?
- What can I do to keep my fees down?
- How do temporary spousal support and child support work?
- How long will it take to finish the divorce process?
Wellspring Divorce Advisors advocates all clients have legal representation during divorce. A large percentage of Americans do divorce without legal assistance but we believe he/she who represent themselves have a fool for a client. Please get legal advice. If you cant afford it find an attorney who provides unbundled services so you can just pay as you go without a large retainer.
