What to Ask a Divorce Attorney Before You Hire a Firm
Before you agree to work with an attorney, you need to make sure they will be a good fit for your case. The following 10 questions are a great starting point, but remember to ask all questions that concern you prior to hiring the firm.
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Are you certified as a California Family Law Specialist? There are many divorce attorneys who practice in various areas of law. It’s imperative that you hire an attorney who limits their practice to family law. Attorneys who have become a specialist have gone through training and a peer review process to ensure that they have considerable expertise in the area of family law.a reputable attorney will tell you a range of what a typical divorce, like yours, could cost.
- Based on the facts of my case, how long do you think it will take to resolve my case? What is your plan for resolving my case and what kind of strategies would you use?
- How do I reach you in an emergency? How long do you normally need to return a phone call?
- Can I meet the other attorneys or paralegals who will be working on my case? What type of experience do they have?
- What are the hourly rates for you and the other people working on my case? Do you require a retainer?
- Are there any additional charges I should expect? (Additional charges could include private investigators, forensic accountants, physicians, psychologists, and even office expenses such as copies and postage).
- Assuming things run smoothly, what will the total divorce cost me?
Most attorneys will not want to answer this question, because it is very difficult to estimate a total price. However, a reputable attorney will tell you a range of what a typical divorce, like yours, could cost. The answer is typically a price range. Keep in mind that a surprisingly low number might be too good to be true. - What can I do to keep costs down? Are there tasks I can complete on my own? Can I speak directly with my spouse?
- Can you make any kind of predictions based on what you know of my case? How do you think a Judge would rule on my case?
- Can you advise me on how to handle taxes and other financial repercussions from this divorce?
An attorney can actually save you money, especially when they advise you on the financial aspects of divorce. None of these questions should come as a surprise to any reputable California divorce lawyer.
If you are not given answers or are not given direct answers, do not hesitate to press on. You deserve the best representation available.
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