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How To Consult A Divorce Attorney And Cover The Important Bases

You need to ask many basic questions when you consult a divorce attorney. Beyond getting answers to these questions, however, your meeting can yield a lot more for you. Here are tips on how to consult a divorce attorney and get some long-range benefits.

1. Get the basic questions out of the way first. When you meet with your lawyer for an initial consultation, you can and should ask him how much experience he has in the field of divorce law and litigation. Even the most brilliant lawyer needs experience in a specific field in order for him to perform well in that area. There is no substitute for experience.

Experience will give a lawyer a working knowledge of the judges, the local rules, and opposing lawyers that will play a major role in the outcome of your case. Experience polishes a lawyer’s skill in drafting and negotiating Pleadings, Separation Agreements, and Court Orders.

2. Ask how many cases similar to yours he has brought to trial. It is true that many divorce cases do not go to trial and most of the time this is for the good of the client. However, you want someone who can both negotiate or litigate – someone with a good balance of trial experience and negotiating savvy. You want to steer clear of a lawyer who brings every case to trial just as you should feel uncomfortable with someone who has ended all his cases at the settlement table.

3. The best tip on how to consult a divorce attorney would be this: get a rough sketch of what can be expected to happen in the course of your case. You won’t get exact dates but you can get a good idea of the flow of activities and the process involved in getting divorced.

Of course, much depends on how complex the case is, how willing both parties is to cooperate and what custody and property issues exist. Ask your lawyer to give you a good overview of the information gathering process, the initial negotiation and, should it be necessary, the litigation. Then look at the post filing negotiation, the trial preparation, and execution.

If you have given a good background of the facts surrounding your divorce, your lawyer can give you at least a tentative view of whether or not litigation is in the cards for you. It could happen that the lawyer will tell you that it is possible to get an early settlement. However, there are times when the other party will not even be willing to negotiate unless faced with the reality of a lawsuit so your lawyer will have to help you make an assessment.

4. Find out how much your divorce will cost you. You will not be able to get an exact figure because that is rarely possible. The cost of divorce proceedings depends on so many things that cannot be determined at a first meeting. However, you can ask for an estimate or at least a cost range. To help you make a good estimate, refer to the rough sketch your lawyer came up with and try to peg each major process and activity with a tentative price.

5. It is important to get clear information on how you can protect yourself from this point up to the time the divorce is granted. Ask what you need to do regarding joint credit cards and bank accounts. Find out what risks and potential obligations may arise and ask for guidance. It is also vital that you get advice (or act on) getting restraining orders to stop a spouse from spending or hiding money and assets. A good divorce lawyer will help you assess risks and minimize these to protect your financial future.

There are many pointers on how to consult a divorce attorney and these will be helpful to you. However, over and above the tips and pointers, use your common sense and your instincts. Like a good attorney, these will serve you well.

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