Divorce Lawyer Consultation: Questions to ask
When meeting with a divorce attorney for an initial assessment, it's advantageous to acquire as much info as possible. If you fail to prepare and forget to ask about crucial info, you may end up having to pay the lawyer to address those concerns at a later time.
Attorney Fee Structure
The very first concern you ought to ask the divorce lawyer throughout the assessment has to do with her cost structure. Particularly, you would like to know whether the attorney will bill you for each hour she spends on your case, including the time she invests addressing your questions, or whether it's a fixed cost. Considering that divorce proceedings can often take years to complete, you must get ready for the financial ramifications.
Divorce Procedures
Every state has various procedures you and your lawyer should follow to apply for divorce. The length of time required to complete a divorce will constantly depend on the complexity of your scenario, your attorney must supply you with a price quote of the timeline. If you work full-time or have other responsibilities that consume a bulk of your time, understanding of vital divorce procedures and the time commitments they require can assist you get ready for what lies ahead.
Alimony Issues
States have particular guidelines that dictate whether a partner might seek alimony from the other partner. In some cases, eligibility relates to the length of your marriage, whether you or your partner stays home to raise children, or perhaps the disparity in earnings in between spouses. Therefore, no matter whether you are the spouse seeking the spousal support or have concerns about your liability for its payment, raising the question throughout the initial consultation with your lawyer can offer you with insight into your potential liabilities as you continue through the divorce.
Child Custody
When you have kids with your spouse, and are unable to independently concur regarding who will keep custody, it's important to comprehend from the outset which aspects are very important to state judges when deciding which moms and dad to award custody to. For that reason, you need to ask your lawyer what your chances are of acquiring custody learn more of your kids. Considering that child custody problems sometimes prolong divorce procedures, it's finest to understand which problems are best to yield and which to challenge. You might also inquire about alternative conflict resolution like mediation or arbitration if you feel going to trial is something you 'd like to prevent.
Splitting Marital Assets
The majority of state divorce laws offer an uncomplicated formula for assigning joint assets in between spouses. The formula differs for each state given that state property laws will dictate the ownership rights of each partner. Therefore, it's crucial to ask the divorce attorney what the legal framework for splitting marital possessions is in your state.
For more information, contact:
The Law Offices of Saylin & Swisher
5031 Birch Street
Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 577-9240