In the United States alone, there are about 2 million marriages. From that, there have been about 800,000 divorces.
When going through a divorce, it’s far from fun, games, and parties. It’s a very serious business that entails time, effort, and finance. The wisest decision would be getting a great lawyer who knows what he/she is doing. A lawyer who has realistic goals as well as methods which have been proven to be effective. But of course, every divorce case is different and lawyers may face unique challenges for every case. Still, divorce clients should make an effort to land on the right legal professional available in town.
As a client, there is one way for you to know if you are in the right hands and that as by asking questions; however, it’s not just asking any questions but asking the right ones. Their answers will determine whether or not you will go for their services and whether or not their methods match your expectations.
Questions to Ask
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Fees and Estimated Cost
Lawyers have different ways of charging their clients. Some may charge hourly and some may not. It’s very important to know how your attorney’s fee structure looks like. If it’s hourly, make sure you get to know how much is the rate per hour.
Aside from getting to know the basic fees, you should also ask your lawyer about the estimated costs of your divorce case. However, keep in mind that honest divorce lawyers, such as Denver Divorce Attorneys, would probably have a hard time answering this question. If the lawyer gives you a surprisingly inexpensive estimate, there’s a chance that that lawyer may just be trying to get you as their client.
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Experience and Strategies
One way to know if the lawyer you’re seeing is capable of handling your case without difficulty is by outrightly asking about his/her experience. Check the number of divorce cases they’ve settled in the past and ask if they have handled a case similar to yours.
Make sure you also ask about the strategies he/she has in mind for your case. However, don’t expect much. Realistic lawyers may need more time to digest your case and come up with the right strategies.
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Chances of custody
If you’re dealing with child custody scenarios, ask your lawyer what your chances are of obtaining custody. But only do so if you have informed your lawyer honestly about your situation. You will also need to ask your lawyer which issues are best to concede or to challenge.
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Estimated Timeline
Divorce may take a couple of months up to several years depending on the complexity of the situation. As a client, you’ll need a rough overview of how long your case will probably take and you can simply ask your lawyer for an estimated timeline. Do keep in mind, however, that there may be unexpected turn of events that may prolong the case even more.
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Predicted ruling
If your lawyer has had a lot of experiences in divorce cases, he/she might be able to predict the possible ruling. You may ask your attorney for his/her forecast as this may greatly help you prepare for the worst. However, don’t forget that it is the judge who makes the decision and not the lawyers.