10 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Attorney at Your First Meeting

Going through a divorce is never easy, but with the right divorce attorney, you’ll feel more confident about having the representation you need so that your wishes can be accommodated. After all, each side in a divorce situation needs someone who is representing them to the fullest so that neither side feels cheated in the end.

Since there are so many divorce lawyers available regardless of where you live, finding one you feel comfortable with should be easy, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check them out first. How do you do that? By asking them some important questions that you’ll need answers to before you make a final decision.

Finding the Right Divorce Attorney

Not all divorce lawyers are alike. Some seem to spend more time with their clients than others, and some are more knowledgeable as well. Since a divorce attorney your ally on this issue, you should walk in there fully prepared with a list of questions you’ve written down so that you don’t forget any of them.

But if you’re drawing a blank trying to decide what to ask during your visit, not to worry because that’s what this article is about. While not all-inclusive, below is a list of 10 questions you should definitely ask your lawyer when you’re interviewing divorce lawyers.

1. How Often Will You Communicate with Me?

Your case is important to you and therefore, it should be important to your attorney as well. Your lawyer should agree to contact you one to four times per month, more often if the case is complicated or something arises that you’re unsure of. You should always feel comfortable contacting them.

2. How Will I Receive Copies of Important Documents Pertaining to My Case?

This might sound like a silly question, but since most people send electronic documents without even thinking about it, you should expect no less from your divorce attorney. Make sure the firm doesn’t still send out documents by snail mail.

3. May I Have a List of References From Your Previous Clients?

As you can likely guess, lawyers should never be hesitant to provide you with a list of references so that you can hear what previous clients have to say about them. It just makes sense.

4. Exactly Who Is Going to Be Representing Me in the Courtroom?

You should always know who is going to be with you when you go to court. If you’re working with a one-person law firm, you won’t need to ask this question, but the bigger the firm, the more important it is to get this answer. You should establish some rapport with that person beforehand.

5. Are There Things I Can Do to Keep Down the Costs Associated with My Divorce?

All divorces cost money, but if your lawyer does things that are unnecessary or out of the ordinary, it could add onto the total cost and become burdensome for you. Make sure your divorce attorney is trying to help you keep your costs as low as possible.

6. What Results Can I Expect Regarding the Things I’m Asking for?

No one knows for sure what will happen once your case goes to court, but an experienced attorney will have at least an idea of what you can expect throughout your case, unless the case is highly unusual. If your attorney is knowledgeable and experienced enough, this should be an easy question to get answered.

7. Should I Move Out of the Family Home?

In most divorce cases, at least one party moves out of the home, and you need to know which one that is for your case. Most times, this decision is simply a personal one, but in cases such as domestic violence and other situations, the attorney might have a specific answer to this question.

8. What Are the Different Types of Child Custody?

Most couples have some idea of how they want the child custody issues to be resolved, but even in this case, it’s good for you to learn about the different types of legal custody so that misunderstandings don’t occur now or in the future.

9. How Much Can I Expect to Receive in Child Support/Spousal Support?

This is a good question for your divorce attorney because it will make a huge difference in the lifestyle you lead after the divorce is final. You should be prepared with at least an estimate of your finances so that the attorney can best answer this question.

10. How Long Will the Entire Divorce Process Take?

No one wants a long, drawn-out divorce since most couples want the process taken care of as soon as possible. Nevertheless, the length of the process is dictated by many things, and your lawyer should be able to give you at least an estimate of how long you’ll have to wait for the process to be completed.