Steven A. Miner II, Lawyer, Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer

When people get married, they expect to be married for the rest of their lives. No one who gets married intends to get divorced; however, for some, their marriage does not endure and they face the challenge of getting divorced. The selection of a divorce attorney that suits your needs is not an easy task; however, it is a necessity when it comes to understanding the division of marital assets. Hiring the right divorce lawyer can be a stressful process and might bring up some emotions you were not ready to face. The following information should be considered when looking to hire a lawyer to represent you when filing for divorce.

Chemistry

It is not uncommon to spend a considerable amount of time with your divorce lawyer. One of the first things you want to do when meeting with them is to make sure they are someone that you feel comfortable spending a lot of time with this person. The selection of a divorce attorney is essentially a new relationship that you will be developing and it is essential to ensure that both you and the attorney understand what you want from the divorce You should be asking yourself the following questions:

• Does this lawyer understand where I’m coming from?
• Am I comfortable and confident with their abilities?
• Are they listening and understanding my needs?
• Do I feel comfortable discussing personal details and information about my marriage with this attorney?

If you can answer no to any of these questions, you have not found the right attorney to help you finalize your divorce. It is not uncommon to start meeting with four or five different attorneys before finding the right one that you feel best fits your personality and professional requirements.

Time and Money

There is no crystal ball that can determine exactly how much a divorce proceeding will cost as there are too many variables to take into account. First and foremost is your soon to be ex-spouse and their desire to either challenge every aspect of the divorce and fight about everything. Secondly; however, your soon to be ex-spouse may want to move on and be willing to resolve the matter with little acrimony; which can result in a less expensive divorce. However, do not be afraid to talk to the attorney about the cost when first meeting with the attorney you are looking to hire and the hourly rates and what exactly is being billed to you. Some attorneys charge for everything that they do while working on your file, while others do not charge for telephone conferences with you as the client. Every attorney is different and you as the client have to come to the interview with purposeful questions so that you are better able to make an informed decision when you hire your attorney

Know the Laws in Your State

Divorce laws do not look the same in all states, and the requirements for one state may be completely different in another state. These laws can differ in a variety of ways including process serving requirements, property distribution, filing fees, child custody laws, child support and alimony, and legal separation requirements. It is important to know the laws in your state because these laws will dictate the entire process. Conferring with friends from another state about what they experience in their divorce may or may not have any bearing on what you will experience and can expect in your own divorce. Also, it is key to remember that every case, while there may be some similarities, is going to be different. There are different attorneys involved, a different judge, different laws, and of course different facts.