If you have never been through a divorce before it is hard to know what is reasonable in terms of divorce lawyer expectations. Here are a few important guidelines to help you get a better feel of what you are entitled to when you look for a lawyer to help you. These guidelines will also give you a better idea of the limits in terms of services from your divorce attorney.
What You Can Expect
• Your lawyer should give you the information you need to see all your options clearly. This means he should be able to help you weigh the advantages and disadvantages of choices you might make. It is reasonable for you to expect him to make suggestions, to listen to your questions and suggestions and to provide you a perspective made broader by his experience.
• It is only right for you to require that he act with due diligence in meeting case deadlines and preparing for his court appearances. You can also expect him to prepare you for the hearings and meetings that will take place to help you anticipate questions that might be asked of you. Your lawyer should stay on top of the case and should have all your papers ready.
• One of the most reasonable divorce lawyer expectations would be this: good communication. Your attorney should keep you informed of important developments. He should explain things to you (without making you feel that it is stupid to ask). Your phone calls to him should be returned within a reasonable amount of time.
• You are entitled to courtesy and respect. You are a valued client and you should be treated as such. You have the right to expect your lawyer to be courteous to you and to people connected to your divorce proceedings. If an attorney begins to act rudely or aggressively towards people in the opposite camp, he is just making things worse for you.
• Our attorney should be frank and honest with you. His candor will be a decisive factor in providing you with an accurate view of the situation you are in and the consequences certain decisions will have. You cannot expect (nor should you expect) your lawyer to give you nothing but good news but you should be able to get the truth from him so you will make informed choices.
• Your lawyer is ethically required to keep everything you say in the strictest of confidence. You should be able to speak to him freely because you should be able to trust him.
• He should consult you properly before making major decisions in the course of your case.
What You Should Not Expect From Your Lawyer
Just as there reasonable divorce lawyer expectations, there are also certain things you cannot expect from your attorney during the course of your case. You cannot expect your lawyer to do anything unethical for you. This means you should not demand that he do any of the following:
• Help you hide your assets and your income. Remember this is a divorce case. You may expect him to uncover all your spouse’s assets and income but you cannot ask him to hide yours.
• Lie to the court or his opponent. He should not also encourage or permit you to do so.
• Provoke a fight with the other party or indulge in name-calling out of sympathy for you.
• Provide services to you on credit. He will want to be paid promptly and you have no right to expect otherwise.
• Expect your lawyer to be a shoulder to cry on. He is there to give you legal, not counseling services. He is there primarily as your attorney, not your friend.