Filing for divorce is not an easy decision for most individuals. Along with the emotional aspect of the separation, a critical part of the process is finding a divorce attorney. As with any significant choice, individuals should pose essential questions when hiring a divorce attorney. Below are groupings of typical topics individuals should ask about and questions surrounding those areas.
Fees
Not all attorneys are upfront about the fees clients may accrue. On the other hand, some attorneys may offer a flat fee; however, unexpected expenses can always occur.
When asking an attorney about their fees, specific questions an individual can ask include:
- How are services charged?
- Can you estimate the total cost of the case and services?
- Do you offer a budget cap?
- How are services paid — upfront, online, or a combination?
Attorney and Client Expectations
Some individuals want to be involved in their cases more than others. Either way, there should be a clear understanding of the attorney and client’s expectations for one another before agreeing to work together.
Questions to ask an attorney regarding this include:
- Do you believe this case will need to go to trial or could it be completed through mediation?
- Do you prepare for litigation with the hope of a settlement or prepare for a settlement with the thought that litigation may happen?
- What happens if my soon-to-be-ex does not have an attorney?
- When does our attorney-client privilege begin?
Attorney Experience
Whether an attorney has practiced law for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, or longer, can significantly impact how a case is handled. Newer divorce attorneys may run into roadblocks longer tenured attorneys may not encounter.
Get a better understanding of an attorney’s experience by asking questions such as:
- How many divorce cases have you handled?
- How many of your cases were taken to trial or settled out of court?
- When was your last divorce case handled?
- How many divorce cases do you take on at one time?
Have Additional Questions?
The dedicated family law attorneys at Puryear, Newman & Morton, PLLC understand that consulting with a divorce lawyer is a difficult decision. That’s why we do everything we can to make our clients feel comfortable and confident when choosing us to handle their case.
Reach out to our compassionate Franklin divorce attorneys online or by phone so we can start working with you.