What Divorce Attorneys Do Not Tell You Unless You Ask

When people look for a divorce lawyer and sit down to meet with prospects, they usually have a prepared set of questions to ask. This helps them get information that they need in order to decide if they will hire the lawyer they are talking to. That information is also supposed to help them plot out their moves in the divorce case. However, while people expect a lot of extra information to flow freely while questions are being asked, it is good to bear in mind what divorce attorneys do not tell you unless you ask. In addition, sometimes you have to ask others before you find out what you need to know.

1. Because divorce is so commonplace today, you will find divorce lawyer rates advertised just about everywhere: the sides of a bus, the classified ads, billboards, windows of shops and stalls in malls. These will say things like “Quick Divorce for $300” or even less. Here’s what divorce attorneys do not tell you about this type of advertised bargain price:

The price is the basic charge for filing a divorce. However, the presumption for the applicability of this bargain is that both parties have agreed to go their separate ways and negotiations are actually done. They just need someone to file their papers.

The fine print will let you know what else you need to pay for. You could be charged for court fees, for separation of properties and other things. If your divorce proceedings will run the whole gamut and include negotiations and arrangements for custody, a more realistic estimate would be anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000.

2. Divorce attorneys will not tell you that there are very dissatisfied clients in their recent and not so recent past. This is something you will find out from other sources such as online reviews of services given by that the lawyer and his firm. You can also check with your state’s bar association.

3. Some divorce lawyers will not come outright and tell you that for the financial aspect of your divorce, you need an expert and the expert is not them. There are many calculations and estimates to be computed when assets and properties are discussed. Finance is not really a major part of the law curriculum so few lawyers can function as financial consultants for you.

4. Divorce lawyers may not tell you that if you go through a divorce, you could lose financially and even fall into poverty. Unless a couple lives in a community property state and unless there is quite a lot to divide, one or both parties will suffer financially. This is especially true of middle class families where the wife has stayed home and was dependent on the husband’s income. The alimony she will receive rarely allows her to maintain the standard of living that she used to enjoy.

5. Few lawyers will have the courage to tell a client that a shoulder to cry on is not part of legal services. Going through a divorce is a depressing experience and clients often want to vent. This happens all the time but remember that if you use their office to vent then you will be billed for it. If you are going to pay $300 an hour just to unload your emotional baggage, your money would be better spent talking to a counselor or a chaplain.

6. Finally, what divorce attorneys do not tell you is that unless the divorce is hostile, there are many things that can be settled between parties without the services of a lawyer. When a couple decides to separate amicably, everything can go smoothly without litigation, especially if they have no children or shared properties. Another option before litigation is mediation – a much less expensive alternative.

Of course, having a lawyer to bat for you is important when you are going through a divorce. Do remember, though, that there are some things you need to look into regarding your legal counsel and other hard facts about divorce so that you will truly be protected.