If you and your spouse have decided to separate or divorce, one of the first things that you will need to do is to find a family lawyer who can fight for and protect your rights. Even if you believe the divorce is going to be amicable, once emotions get involved, it will be in your best interest to work with a professional third party.
At your initial consultation with your divorce lawyer, you will get a sense of who they are and how they work. Here are a few questions that you should ask.
There are many different types of lawyers, and in a divorce case, it is important that you work with a lawyer who specializes in family law. The expertise of your family lawyer will prove invaluable if an unexpected curveball or unique circumstance occurs during the process.
Experience counts. The longer that your divorce lawyer has been practicing family law, the more they will have seen and the more prepared they will be to handle the unique circumstances of your own divorce.
Many law firms have a team of professionals that work together when necessary. For example, at some point during your divorce proceedings, you may need a lawyer who has another specialty such as tax law. Having a team of professionals who can fight for you is one of the best ways to ensure a favourable outcome in your case.
Once you have your initial consultation with your divorce lawyer, they will have a basic understanding of your situation and should have an idea as to how they would like to proceed with your case. While they won’t be able to get into the minutia of what will be involved, they should be able to give you an overview of the main steps in the process and the reason for them.
While every divorce is different, after your initial consultation it is likely that your lawyer will have a good idea of whether your case is likely to be resolved quickly or whether it has complexities that will take more time to resolve.
Again, the answer to this question is going to depend on a number of factors but getting an understanding of what services you will be charged for will help to prevent any disputes about billing.
When you leave your initial consultation, you should leave with a plan of action. Your lawyer may recommend something as simple as compiling certain information for your next meeting or they may recommend something more drastic. Either way, it is important to know what steps you can take to protect yourself during the divorce process.
During your divorce process, it is almost certain that you will have more questions, so it is important to know the best way to get in touch with your lawyer and to know what timeframe they are likely to get back to you within. For simple questions, they may have an assistant who can respond immediately, so it is important to know how to contact that person as well.
Going through a divorce can be stressful and confusing but knowing the right questions to ask and having a competent divorce lawyer who is willing to take the time to answer those questions is key to relieving some of that stress.
Are you looking for a family lawyer who will fight for your rights during your divorce? If so, contact Marcy Segal today to schedule a consultation.