Interviewing a Divorce Attorney – What Questions Should I Ask? 

What questions should I ask when interviewing a divorce attorney? The process is similar in paperwork but every divorce lawyer has their strategies. You can learn a lot about the attorney by asking open-ended questions. You should know what to expect from a high-stress divorce. If you anticipate a high-stakes battle, make sure to ask your lawyer how he has dealt with similar situations in the past. 

 

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Questions to ask a divorce lawyer 

There are many questions you should ask during your interview with a divorce attorney. Not only should you be aware of your situation, but you should also ask how the attorney will handle your finances. Do they believe in you? Are they emotionally involved? Regardless, you want to hire an attorney who will act with objectivity and level-headedness. Your attorney should be able to help you find ways to pay for your services while remaining emotionally detached from your situation. 

While the divorce process is largely the same, the way lawyers handle the paperwork varies. Make sure to ask open-ended questions about the approach they take. Some lawyers will run to court for every little thing, while others will stay calm when the situation gets heated. Ask about how they handle difficult cases. If the attorney doesn’t ask you these questions, that’s a red flag. Ask questions that will get your divorce proceeding moving smoothly. 

Experience 

When interviewing a divorce attorney, experience matters. Ask people who have used divorce attorneys for their cases for recommendations. Also, research online to find out how long a potential attorney has been practicing law. Remember that when it comes to the field of divorce, the number of years an attorney has been practicing is different from the date they were admitted to the bar. You should conduct your research to determine the degree of experience and expertise as a divorce attorney. 

In addition to experience, you should also look at the firm’s working style and the number of cases it handles. An attorney who handles a lot of litigation will likely have support staff and may not have time to spend working on your case. An attorney who works in a mixed practice setting may be able to juggle a greater number of cases and maintain deadlines. Be sure to ask about their client satisfaction rate before hiring a divorce attorney. 

Communication 

When interviewing a divorce attorney, one of the most important things to look for is good communication. Any paid relationship involves two sides and it is no different when it comes to the divorce process. Whether you are negotiating alimony, dividing up retirement assets, or the division of the family home, good communication will be critical for you and your attorney to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome. Not all attorneys are great communicators, however. Some may simply treat you like a number, unable to answer any of your questions. 

If communication between you and your attorney breaks down during the initial meeting, it may be a good idea to consider another attorney. Ask the attorney what happened that caused the breakdown and whether they will be available to help you. If they are not responsive to your questions or concerns, you might want to consider seeking the services of another divorce attorney. The best way to choose the right divorce attorney is to do your research and interview as many as possible. 

Retainer fee 

Before hiring a divorce attorney, be sure to find out what their retainer fee will be. Most attorneys require retainer fees, as this helps them allocate their time to your case. A retainer fee can also help you plan your finances for divorce. When you pay an upfront retainer fee, your attorney can dedicate the full amount of their time to your case. This can make the process easier for you since you can pay in installments. 

Retainer fees vary in amount and type of case, and can be as much as $10,000, but can be considerably less for lower-value cases. A retainer fee is not an estimate of the final legal costs and should be viewed as a deposit or advance payment for a legal service. While a retainer fee may seem like a large upfront fee to pay, it is a low-risk investment.