Things to Ask a Divorce Attorney
Just the idea of a divorce can be intimidating. When you plan to consult with a divorce attorney, it is a good idea to prepare a list of questions before the meeting in order to ensure that all of your questions will be answered. Preparation of a list will not only result in your being educated about the particular skills of the attorney, but also will result in an insight into what can be expected during divorce proceedings.
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Expertise and Skills
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One area to consider asking a divorce attorney pertains to the attorney's background. You may want to inquire as to the education of the attorney. Specifically, you may seek to obtain information regarding her training and whether she has any specialized education in the area of divorce law. In addition, you may want to inquire as to the number of divorce cases she has handled. Furthermore, you may ask about her courtroom experience and how many cases have been settled or gone to trial for resolution.
Office Management
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Another key area of inquiry relates to the operations of the law office itself. To begin, you may want to ask about how your phone calls will be handled. Specifically, whether the attorney or another office member will contact you. In addition, you may ask about the length of time to receive a response back from the attorney in the event you are unable to reach him. Also, you may want to ask about what office staff, for example, paralegals and legal assistants, will be working on your case.
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Law Firm Philosophy
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One other area to address when speaking to a divorce attorney pertains to the firm's philosophy. Therefore, you can ask questions about what the attorney believes is the best way to handle a divorce. For example, you may inquire if the attorney and her law firm attempt to resolve the divorce with mediation. Furthermore, you may ask if the firm encourages communication between spouses while the divorce action is pending.
Attorneys Fees and Expenses
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A crucial area to ask an attorney about is what the attorney's fees and expenses will be in the case. For example, you should ask if there is an hourly rate or a retainer. If a retainer fee is utilized, ask for specific details of the fee, such as how many hours are included and if there are any types of legal services that are excluded. Furthermore, you should ask about if there are other lower fees if alternate legal office personnel is utilized in the case. In addition, request a written agreement of the fees which includes an estimate of the fees to be incurred in your divorce case.
Time Frame
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One final area to consider asking a divorce attorney about is the duration the divorce action will be expected to last. For example, you may want to give the attorney a bit of the factual background of the matter and request a good faith estimate of the time such a case may require. While every divorce action is different, the attorney should be able to give you a range of the time involved in the judicial process.
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