By Matt Allen
Editor, DadsDivorce.com
The choice of an attorney is an important decision, and knowing which divorce questions to ask is the quickest way toward understanding whether the lawyer you are speaking with is the right one for you.
When you go into an initial consultation looking for legal advice on divorce, think about what your priorities are for your divorce.
Divorced dads obviously want someone they can trust and confide in, but many fathers fail to ask important questions that would give them a better understanding of why they should hire a particular lawyer or firm.
According to the divorce lawyers of Cordell & Cordell, here is just a sampling of divorce questions to ask they think every prospective client should have in mind:
- How many cases do you handle at any one time? This should give you some inclination as to whether the attorney has the time to devote to your case.
- Have you handled cases like mine? For instance, some cases have a unique component. Even seasoned attorneys can get caught up in a situation where they simply do not know the procedures or commonly practiced habits of a different sort of court like juvenile or criminal court.
- What can I expect regarding billing statements and attorney fees? While most attorneys cannot accurately predict what they will spend on a case from the very outset, the attorney should be willing to explain how their services are billed, how often they send out statements and what they expect regarding payment of their fees.
For a complete list of divorce questions to ask, please read the divorce article "Buyer Beware: Choosing An Attorney."
It’s also important to know what documents you should bring with you to the initial consultation. Remember, the more prepared you are with all the proper documents, the more you will get out of your initial consultation.
For example, you’ll at least want to bring these documents:
- Your most current W-2 form
- Tax documents (preferably the previous three years of filings)
- Statements of retirement accounts
- Evidence of marital misconduct (journals, e-mails, pictures, social network pages, etc.)
- Legal documents (complaints, orders of protection, petition for dissolution of marriage)
For a complete list of documents you should bring to your initial consultation, please read "What To Know For Your Initial Consultation."
Cordell & Cordell has men's divorce lawyers located across the nation fighting for the rights for fathers. To schedule an initial consultation, contact the Cordell & Cordell office nearest you.
Other helpful divorce resources:
Dealing With Your Attorney Effectively
DadsDivorce Live: Divorce Initial Consultation
What To Know For Your Initial Consultation
Buyer Beware: Choosing An Attorney
