Questions to consider before hiring your attorney

Questions to consider before hiring your attorney

Before you decide to work with an attorney, always do some initial research on them. Check out their website, research any reviews written about them, check out his or her office and make sure you’re comfortable. And always ask questions when you meet with them. Below is a list of some helpful questions to consider when hiring an attorney:

• How many divorce cases have you handled? Is divorce or family law your primary practice area?
•  Have you handled any cases similar to mine? How did you handle them?
• How heavy is your caseload? And how accessible are you throughout the process?
• Do you practice collaborative divorce?
• What is your theory about divorce? And how involved will I be in this process and the strategy behind the case?
•   How much do you charge?
•  How expensive will the entire process be?
• Are there other people in the office I will be working with? Can I meet them?
• Have you worked with my spouse’s attorney before?
•   How familiar are you with the family law judges?
• Do you have experience dealing with all the issues in my case? (child custody? Maintenance agreements?)

In addition to these, here’s a helpful list of additional questions you may consider. Many attorneys will charge a nominal fee for an initial consultation, and you should be prepared to ask your questions during this time. Get a feel for the attorney during this meeting and ask yourself whether you can see working with him or her.