Questions To Ask A Prospective Divorce Attorney
Posted on: 15 March 2016
Have you recently split up with your spouse? Are you thinking about filing for divorce, or perhaps the paperwork has already been filed? Divorces can be a messy situation to be in. A good lawyer can help make the process easier, but it may seem overwhelming just trying to pick which one will be the best for you. In order to make the process a little easier, here are some questions to ask before hiring any divorce attorney:
Do you work on only divorce cases or do you handle other family law matters? A divorce attorney that takes on other types of cases isn't necessarily a bad thing or a good thing in and of itself. However, you do want to know whether your prospective lawyer is as familiar as possible with potential issues that might arise. If you have children, you may want an attorney who also handles child custody cases, in addition to regular divorce proceedings. If you don't have children, a lawyer who only takes on divorce cases may be best for you.
Who should be contacted in an emergency situation? If your soon to be ex-spouse shows up at your house in the middle of the night, uninvited, you may want to have the assistance of your divorce attorney or a member of his or her staff as you talk to the police. Depending on the situation, this can help prevent you from being dragged into legal trouble.
What costs might there be with a case like this? In a simple divorce case, you may only need to pay the lawyer's fees and for the filing of a few court documents. If the matter is more complicated, your divorce attorney may suggest hiring a private investigator, psychologists, or other professionals that he or she thinks might help your case. Make sure you know these potential costs ahead of time, so that you can plan for their payment.
Are there things that should be fought for and things that should be let go? While you may feel that your second car belongs to you alone, your divorce attorney may recommend allowing your ex-spouse to keep it in return for things like lowered child support or fewer alimony payments. When you're in the middle of a divorce, it can be difficult to let anything go. But your lawyer can help provide you with an objective third party viewpoint that will prevent you from losing sight of the big picture.
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