A divorce is often regarded as one of life’s most difficult events. Often compared to the death of a loved and evoking the common phases of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, chances are when you are suffering the loss of a marriage and all that goes with it, you will have many questions on which family law attorney is right for you how to navigate through the divorce process. When the stakes are high as they are during a divorce and to ensure your money, time and trust are handled properly throughout the divorce process it is important to choose an experienced divorce attorney.
Whether you have questions about divorce, alimony, child support, modifications, custody, timesharing issues, relocation issues, post judgment issues, injunctions, family businesses, etc., the experts at Ivanor Law have decades of family law experience and suggest these 4 key tips and questions to help you choose the right lawyer to represent you in your divorce.
The Questions You Should Ask Before You Hire A Divorce Attorney:
Tip #1: Decide What Type of Approach Is Best For You By Doing Your Research
At Ivanor Law we believe it is very important to develop strong working relationships with our clients and we stand with them side by side in making sure their family law case is handled properly and with personalized attention that it deserves. While there is not a “one size fits all” approach that applies to these types of legal matters, it is important to consider the approach and outcome you desire as different attorneys take different approaches. While some prefer mediation, others encourage appearing in the courtroom. Knowing the approach your divorce attorney will take will help you to decide which attorney is right for you by weeding out the attorneys whose approach is not aligned with yours. If you are unsure of the approach that will work best for your needs, your attorney should be able to explain all of your options and put you in the best position to decide the best approach for your situation.
The Ivanor Law firm uses a variety of approaches in family law cases, ranging from collaborative law and mediation, to going to trial. We also offer the option of a less contentious collaborative divorce. It is very important to start the process on the same page and we pride ourselves in being transparent and recommending the approach that is best for our clients’ case.
As noted above, there is more than one way to go about the divorce process and end a marriage and which path you choose can significantly impact the course and duration of the processes involved in executing the divorce. This is why doing your research is critical so that you know which options best align with your goals so you can decide which approach you would like to take.
Tip #2: Decide Upon Accessibility And Communication Preferences
The divorce process is extremely stressful and as such, you should be confident that your attorney will be there for your when you have questions or concerns. Moreover, it is important to identify what level of support you’re looking for at the onset of your case and make the decision to hire an attorney based on that knowledge, so you know what to expect throughout the entire divorce process. From choosing your preferred methods of communication (i.e. email, phone calls, in person meetings, Zoom meetings, etc.) it is important to work with an attorney that understands and fits your communication style and expectations for response time.
Tip #3: Take Your Time In Choosing An Attorney
While your initial inclination may be to hire an attorney quickly in order to get the ball rolling believing that this will help get everything over and done with faster, rushing the process of interviewing and hiring an attorney can negatively impact your case. Remember, you want to choose the attorney that is right for you and will take the approach that you desire. That is why it is so important to interview at least two or three attorneys to ensure you are choosing the right family law attorney and firm for you.
It is also very important to be thorough in your interviews as who you choose to represent you in your case can ultimately affect the outcome. Be sure to ask as many questions as necessary to understand the attorney’s practice and to make sure that their goals and objectives line up with your own. If something doesn’t feel right when you are interviewing an attorney, trust your gut and move on to the next interview. You want to feel valued, understood and on the same page as your attorney. You will also want to pay attention to the attorney’s location, accessibility and responsiveness as when you are dealing with a process that can take months or sometimes years to complete, these type of convenience factors can really go a long way.
Tip #4: Focus On Items Of Importance
During the highly emotional times of a divorce, it is important to not lose sight of the overall goal—getting through it fairly and moving on with your life. The right attorney for you will keep your case on track and guide you through what is important as opposed to what is not in the grand scheme of things. By knowing what is important and what is not, you can make the right decisions that truly count while disregarding the rest. This will help keep your emotions in check so you can maintain your focus throughout your case.
What Questions Should I Ask My Divorce Attorney?
Following the above tips are just part of the equation when deciding to hire a divorce lawyer. As mentioned previously, rushing through finding the right attorney is a mistake and could mean all the difference in the outcome of your case. Taking your time and conducting the proper research is critical and it is important to outline and ask detailed questions so you can make an informed decision. We have outlined several important questions below:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- Do you focus exclusively on family law ad divorces or does your firm have other practice areas?
- Can you explain the basics of Dissolution of Marriage?
- How long do I need to live in Florida before I can file for a Dissolution of Marriage?
- My spouse does not want a divorce, can I still get one?
- Where should I file for Dissolution of Marriage?
- How long does it take to get a Dissolution of Marriage?
- What is your strategy for my case?
- What is considered an emergency and how long will it take for you to return my calls?
- Who else will be working on my case with you and may I them?
- What is anticipated cost for my divorce and what is the frequency you will bill me?
- Am I allowed to discuss divorce related matters and negotiate with my spouse directly?
- Can I have my child testify?
- How do you predict a judge would rule my case?
- Can you help me understand the tax implications involved with divorce?
Family law can be stressful and complicated. While the above tips and questions capture the most important items and questions to ask, your case is unique, and you should not limit yourself to just these questions. Be sure to ask your divorce attorney about anything that you feel may pertain to you and your case. Ivanor Law will be by your side and help you through every stage of your case.
Schedule a free consultation with us today at: www.ivanorlaw.com/contact/ or call us at 407-255-2065.