According to "Consumer Reports" magazine, 27 percent of people who hire a lawyer for legal affairs are dissatisfied with the services they received. Divorce lawyers are also notorious for producing results that are less than satisfactory. Although part of this shortcoming can be related to the inflated expectations of clients and the emotions involved in the process, it is important to choose your divorce lawyer or attorney with. Some carefully chosen questions can help with the vetting process.
Expertise in Divorce
Most lawyers have specific areas of specialty that they stick close to. Limiting their areas of work enables them to become more exemplary in a few areas of law practice rather than attempting to serve all areas of law. Many lawyers won't consider taking a divorce case if it isn't their area of expertise, but you can't be sure about their credentials unless you ask yourself. Ask the prospective divorce attorney about his areas of specialization and experience in the field, including the years and/or number of cases they've undertaken. You should also ask whether other lawyers in the office will assist on your case and, if so, what their credentials are. If your specific case has an extenuating circumstances, you may want to find out if the attorney has had experience with similar situations in the past.
Personal Assistance
Due to the involvement of taxes in a divorce case, many divorcing couples will have to make a number of decisions that determine how much they are taxed. This can be a difference of thousands of dollars if not done properly, but it is important that you be educated on the tax ramifications before making decisions. Additionally, the emotional wear and tear of the divorce process can be an exhausting and sometimes overwhelming one. Ask the divorce attorney what types of resources his firm offers in regards to learning about and understanding the divorce process, particularly the income tax aspects. You should also find out what types of assistance the attorney offers as far as learning how to cope with grief and emotional strain during the process, helping to make the proceedings as painless as possible.
Total Cost Estimates
Lawyers typically have a per-hour rate they charge to their clients, but there are other costs that can drive up the total bill. You should understand exactly what you are paying for before agreeing to any sort of work contract. Determine whether a retainer is required up front, if supplies such as faxes and copies are charged to you, and whether you will have to pay for the services of forensic experts, psychologists and other experts that may be called in to perform work on your case. If so, ask for the specific rates of these workers. Finally, ask the lawyer to provide you with an estimate of the total cost of all these services.
