Divorce is personal and the process of hiring an attorney can seem overwhelming. Not to mention, every divorce attorney has a different approach when handling a divorce. If you are in the process of hiring a divorce attorney, please take note of the questions below. You want to feel comfortable that you have made the right choice by hiring your divorce attorney and these questions will guide you in the decision-making process.
Before You Ask, Know Your Goals
Before we dive in, we encourage you to reflect on your goals and be clear on what you are looking for in an attorney. Are you looking for a compassionate attorney to hold your hand throughout the divorce process? Do you anticipate a difficult court battle and want an attorney who will fight for you in a trial? What is your main goal? Do you want custody of your children, or are you seeking alimony? The more you know about what you want, the easier it will be to choose the right divorce attorney for you.
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Divorce Attorney
- Do you focus your practice on divorce? Believe it or not, but there are many attorneys who take on divorce cases without focusing their practice on family law. As a result, you may end up with an attorney that has little experience in family law and how to handle the nuances of child custody, child support, alimony, marital property, and property division. You may even want to ask how many divorce cases they have handled to get a better idea of their experience level. With these questions, you will quickly learn whether the attorney has the right experience in family law to properly handle your divorce.
- Are you willing to go to trial? Even the most amicable of divorces can quickly turn sour. Some attorneys focus on settling divorces outside of the courtroom through Marital Settlement Agreements, Mediation, and Arbitration. However, in the event your case does not settle, your attorney should be ready and willing to go to trial for your divorce. You will want to make sure your attorney has experience not only in reaching negotiated settlements but litigating divorce matters.
- Who will be working on my case? You contact a law firm intending to meet with and be represented by a specific attorney. Many firms have associate attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff who will be involved in your case. Ask who will be your day-to-day point of contact, who will be handling the case and if that would change throughout the process. You can also request to be introduced to each attorney who may work on your case before deciding to work with them.
- Can I call or email you throughout my divorce? Communication between an attorney and client is key. A client wants to be updated on the status and progress of their case. You may want to ask the typical turnaround time to return phone calls and emails. Also, will you send me updates throughout the divorce process? Communication styles vary greatly depending on the attorney and their law firm. A reputable divorce attorney will make themselves available and respond in a timely manner.
- What is your style of practice? Every divorce attorney has a different approach to handling divorce cases. Some attorneys may take a more compassionate, collaborative approach, while others are more aggressive in their style. However, you may want to ask if the style of practice may change depending upon the circumstances. Overall, you want to determine if the attorney’s style and strategy align with your goals.
Do Your Research
In addition to knowing your goals and asking these questions, it is important that you do your research. Look up your attorney online to make sure they are a reputable family law attorney that is licensed to practice in your state. And if you are comfortable, ask around to see if your friends and colleagues have heard of the attorney and/or their law firm.
TNS Family Law has provided high-quality family law services since 1998. We take pride in our depth of experience and knowledge of the law.
If you have questions about divorce, please contact Turnbull, Nicholson & Sanders, P.A. at (410) 339-4100 or info@tnsfamilylaw.com. Our team of family law attorneys is here to help guide you.
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