Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is often one of the most challenging times in a client’s life. Understandably, there are many questions to ask a divorce lawyer during an initial consultation. In this guide, we’ll walk through some of the most important questions to ask divorce lawyers and why you should take the time to ask them.

Question to Ask A Divorce Lawyer

Do You Specialize in Divorce?

You need a lawyer that specializes in divorce law or family law. Other lawyers, although they may be competent in certain areas of the law, may not have the expertise to handle your case effectively.

How Long Have You Been Practicing Divorce Law?

In matters of family law, nothing matters more than experience. Lawyers with years of courtroom experience are better equipped to handle your case and provide creative solutions.

How Will Your Team Work Together on My Case?

Most law firms have a team of lawyers and law clerks that handle various cases at once. It’s important that you ask whether several lawyers will collaborate on your case, or if only one lawyer will—the more skillsets working on your case, the better.

How Will You Achieve My Goals?

A competent lawyer should have a detailed plan after your first meeting regarding how they will meet your goals. Otherwise, you can’t be sure whether their services will be effective.

How Long Do You Expect This Process to Take?

Once the lawyer has been informed about the details of your case, they should have an informed opinion regarding how long it might take to seek a resolution. Otherwise, the case might drag on forever and cost you a lot of money.

How Much Do You Anticipate My Case Will Cost? What Will I Be Charged For?

If your lawyer doesn’t have a detailed costing breakdown, you might end up overcharged for their services.

What Is the Easiest Way to Resolve This Divorce?

Misunderstandings abound in the realm of divorce law. Inquire with your lawyer about whether they know of any expedient solutions to resolve the dispute as speedily as possible.

What Steps Should I Be Taking Right Now to Protect Myself?

Your lawyer can save you a lot of time and money by giving you an action plan after your initial consultation. By taking steps to defend yourself, you can resolve the dispute faster than you would if you drag your feet.

What Style of Mediation Do You Prefer?

While some lawyers prefer one-on-one litigation in the courtroom, others prefer out-of-court dispute resolution venues. Ask your divorce lawyer about which they prefer, so you know what to expect.

What Is Worth Fighting for And What Is Worth Letting Go?

A good lawyer is able to offer objective third-party advice that removes emotional baggage from the situation. Ask your lawyer about whether some issues are worth dropping to expedite the resolution of the case.

With the Facts You Have Right Now, How Do You Predict A Judge Would Rule on My Case?

An experienced lawyer should be able to inform you about the likely outcome of a case, so you know what to expect and plan for in the long-term.

If I Have Questions, How Should I Contact You?

Ask your lawyer about reasonable contact times so you know when you can reach out to them with questions or concerns if they arise.

What Is Your Fee Structure?

A transparent law firm should explain their fee structure in detail, so you don’t overpay for their services at the end of the contract.

What Are The Richmonds and Washington’s Divorce Laws?

If you’re looking for a divorce lawyer Kennewick, you need to know how divorce law works in the state of Washington. Otherwise, you may accidentally violate a legal procedure that you didn’t even know exists.

How Many Similar Cases Have You Taken to Trial?

A qualified lawyer is one who has taken many cases to trial and seen success in court. If your lawyer has no courtroom experience, you may want to look elsewhere.

How Much Do You Think My Divorce Will Cost?

Overall, a competent lawyer should be able to inform you about the general cost of your divorce. Knowing a rough cost estimate will keep you from overpaying for their services.

What to Do With a Wedding Ring After Divorce or if the Marriage Is Called Off?

A common question we receive is whether an engagement ring must be returned if the marriage does not happen or if there is a divorce. Washington State applies contract theory to this unique gift and holds that the gift of an engagement ring is a conditional gift: it is made in anticipation of marriage. If the marriage does not occur, the condition of the gift is not met, and the ring should be returned. However, our courts have also held that if the giver of the gift is the one who calls off the marriage without a good justification, then the receiver of the ring may keep it.