Divorce is a difficult situation for anybody to deal with, but it becomes much more manageable when you have the right help on your side. That makes hiring the right divorce lawyer to represent you in the courtroom an essential step towards getting the successful resolution you desire. Here are some questions to ask a lawyer to make sure they’re the right choice for your divorce case.
6 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer at Your First Meeting
1. How Many Divorce Cases Have You Handled?
As with so many things in life, the experience your lawyer brings to the table is crucial to getting a favorable outcome in your divorce case. Knowing the complexities of the law surrounding divorces and how to navigate the courtroom environment effectively will be valuable assets to have on your side throughout your case.
Find out how many cases the lawyer you’re considering has taken in the past. If they don’t have the proven track record you’re looking for, you may be better off looking elsewhere to get the help you need.
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2. What Strategy Will You Use for My Case?
Because they each involve unique individuals, no two divorce cases are alike. Each case requires a strategy that is tailored to the specific circumstances surrounding it. One responsibility your lawyer has is to help lay out a clear path forward for how to bring the case to a favorable resolution.
Ask your lawyer about the strategy they’re developing in the early steps of sorting out your case. They may not have every detail of the plan fleshed out on day one, but any competent lawyer should be able to tell you their general plan for how to move forward. If you don’t agree with their plan or, worse, they don’t have one, you may be better off seeking other counsel.
3. What Costs Do You Expect Will Arise in the Case?
Hiring a lawyer comes with its own expenses, but this often isn’t the extent of the costs of a divorce case. There’s also a cost associated with calling in experts to testify, gathering evidence, and other necessary steps in the case. A good lawyer should be able to anticipate these costs and give you some idea of what to expect.
More than just asking about the costs themselves, you should also ask how the attorney intends to bill you for these expenses. Find a lawyer with a reasonable approach to the expenses associated with your case so you don’t end up overspending on the help you need.
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4. Do You Know My Spouse or Their Attorney?
Being a lawyer requires professionalism and setting aside personal feelings when it comes to handling a case. However, even the most experienced lawyer is vulnerable to biased feelings. It’s important that you ask questions to establish if this bias exists before deciding on what divorce attorney to hire.
For example, your potential lawyer may have a relationship with the other party in your divorce or the attorney being brought in on their side. The latter isn’t usually such a concern; lawyers work in the same circles and know to leave any personal feelings at the courtroom door. However, if the lawyer you’re considering knows your spouse, that may leave them in a position where it’s difficult to be impartial.
5. Are You Intending on Mediation or Taking the Case to Trial?
One of the most important questions you can ask divorce lawyers in divorce lawyers in harris county, TX is whether or not they intend to resolve the case through negotiation and mediation or if they will bring the case to trial. There are advantages to both options, with mediation providing a quicker resolution and a trial providing more options for how to settle the divorce.
You likely have an idea in mind of which resolution you intend to pursue. Making sure your lawyer is on the same page as you will help to avoid future clashes later down the line.
6. Will You Be Handling My Case Directly?
When you’re preparing for a divorce case, you want to know exactly what resources will be on your side for the path ahead. To this end, ask the lawyer you’re considering whether they intend to handle the case themselves. Some firms may instead pass off the case to another lawyer at the firm.
While the fact that your case will be handled by someone else isn’t concerning in itself, it does require further questioning. You’ll want to speak directly with the person who will handle your case so you can see for yourself that they’re capable and on the same page as you when it comes to the way forward on this particular case.
Use these questions to help ensure the lawyer you hire for your family law case meets your expectations. That will give you the best chance at achieving the favorable outcome you desire.