Meeting with a divorce lawyer can be a very intimidating experience. Not only is there looming fear of the unknown, but this huge step is always taken with great trepidation. I highly recommend “word of mouth” and referrals as being the first avenue toward finding a lawyer. Friends, family, other lawyers, judges, CPAs, financial advisors are often uniquely aware of skilled and trustworthy divorce lawyers.
In advance of your interviews, internet research is appropriate. Find out the depth of your lawyer’s experience, qualifications, recognition by peers, community involvement, and reviews.
Make no mistake about it – you and the attorney are interviewing each other. Every attorney wants to make sure that the case is a good match, personalities are a good match, and the client is willing to devote sufficient resources to handling the case. Also, not every family law case is in every family lawyer’s wheel house.
Some potential areas of inquiry include:
- What is your experience?
- How long have you been handling Family Law cases?
- What percentage of your practice is devoted to Family Law cases?
- Are you Board Certified in Family Law?
- How often are you in Trial in Family Law cases over the last several years?
- What are your thoughts about Mediation?
- Have you worked cases with or against opposing counsel (if known)?
- If the case is not yet filed, what would be your approach in beginning the case?
- What is your relationship with our Judge?
- How do you perceive her or him?
- Male oriented? – Female oriented?
- How difficult is it to get on their calendar?
- Who is the staff person that would be my contact?
- How long has that person been with you?
- What is their training?
- What does their job entail?
- Are they doing solely Family Law cases?
- Can I meet your paralegal today?
- Are other lawyers going to be utilized in my case?
- How so?
- Will I meet the other lawyers that may be utilized in my case?
- How will the job responsibilities between my legal team be allocated?
- Will you be at the point?
- If I have a concern, is it you that would handle that concern?
- What is your policy about returning phone calls?
- How quickly can I expect a return phone call?
- What is your policy about emails?
- How quickly can I expect a response to emails?
- What is your policy regarding documents and communications that arrive in your office relating to my case?
- Will they be sent to me immediately?
- Will I get copies of everything in my case?
- What is your policy regarding me reviewing and approving letters before they are sent?
- What is your policy regarding me reviewing Motions before they are filed?
- What is your policy regarding me reviewing pleadings before they are filed?
- Are you scheduled to be out of town or in trial for any length of time in the coming several months?
- Do you have the time to devote to my case as needed for the immediate issues?
- What are your thoughts about a forensic CPA?
- Joint, Neutral Forensic CPA?
- Who would you be using?
- Why would you use them?
- What are your thoughts about using a psychologist to facilitate the development of a Parenting Plan?
- Analyze custody issues?
- Assist in Parenting concerns?
- Helping us in understanding what and how to tell our kids and what to tell our kids?
Also, the development of a written list of questions specific to the case will help to productively and efficiently direct the interview. Certainly, you should ask the questions that are keeping you awake at night.
Taking the time to prepare and ask the right questions can make all the difference in finding the right fit for your divorce attorney. Remember, this is your life – choose someone who not only has the experience, but who also makes you feel heard, supported, and informed.
