Published in Family Law by Chris Eskew on January 14, 2020.
Going through a divorce can be difficult. Hiring the right divorce attorney can ease the process.
Remember that a divorce attorney is someone you are hiring to work with you and to advocate for your interests. You should be comfortable with the person you hire.
You should also not expect them to tell you everything you want to hear. An attorney should be willing to advise you of the faults in your case as well as the potential beneficial arguments.
It’s a good idea to shop around for an attorney just as you would for any other service. An initial consultation is an opportunity for you to decide whether an attorney will be able to meet your personal needs.
Be careful of someone who tells you everything you want to hear.
When you meet a prospective divorce attorney for the first time, there are some important things you will want to learn. Here are a few questions you may want to ask a lawyer about your divorce case.
Questions About Experience
The issues that need to be addressed in your divorce are ones that will affect you and your family for years to come. When asking your divorce interview questions, it is important to learn whether your family law attorney has the experience necessary to advise you correctly.
Questions to ask your divorce attorney might include:
- What proportion of your cases involve family law?
- How long have you been practicing family law?
- How many family cases have you handled?
- How much of my case will be handled by other attorneys or staff and what is their experience?
Family law is a unique area of practice. You probably don’t want your divorce case to be the first one your attorney handles.
For help in Indiana, turn to the Eskew Law team. We have the knowledge and dedication you need and deserve.
Outside of Indiana, you can find an experienced divorce attorney through an online search or by asking trusted friends for a reference.
Questions About Billing
Questions about billing are definitely important questions to ask an attorney about your divorce case. If you’re concerned about keeping costs down, you will want to understand your attorney’s billing practices. Here are a few questions that will cover the basics:
- What are your billing rates?
- What are the billing rates for work done by paralegals or other staff?
- How does billing work?
- What things do you charge for?
- How much do you require for a retainer?
- What additional costs should I expect?
Most attorneys bill by the hour, but billing practices can vary widely among law firms. Asking these questions upfront will prevent unwanted surprises down the road.
Questions About Communication
When you are going through a divorce, you will probably have many questions for your divorce attorney.
Having an attorney who is available and responsive can go a long way toward easing your mind. In your initial consultation, it is a good idea to set expectations about communication:
- What is the best way to get in touch with you?
- How quickly should I expect you to return phone calls or emails?
- Is there someone else I can reach out to if you are unavailable?
If the attorney you are interviewing is noncommittal about communication, you may want to look elsewhere.
Questions About Procedures and Law
For many people, going through a divorce may be their first real experience with the legal system. You may feel a bit overwhelmed by the process or concerned about what the laws mean for you.
Some of the questions to ask divorce attorneys when you are interviewing them might concern the specifics of your case, such as:
- What is the timeline for my divorce?
- How do you think a judge is likely to rule on the issues that are most important to me?
- What factors is the judge going to consider in making a decision on an important issue?
Having answers to these questions can help you set your expectations as you go through the divorce process.
How to Find a Divorce Attorney
Are you ready to start interviewing divorce attorneys? You might want to start with the experienced family law attorneys at Eskew Law. We pride ourselves on excellent communication with our clients and favorable results.
We will keep you informed and involved every step of the way. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation, call us at 317-279-4686 or message us online.
