Crystal Wright | July 11, 2024 | Lawrenceville, Georgia Divorce Lawyer
Divorcing your spouse is one of the biggest decisions you can make. Selecting a divorce lawyer to represent you is almost as big. While many lawyers practice divorce law, not all of them devote themselves exclusively to divorce law. If you need advice or representation for your divorce, you should ask the following nine questions to be sure your divorce lawyer will handle your case with competence and compassion.
1. What Is Your Experience in Handling Divorce Cases in Georgia?
Your lawyer should have extensive experience in divorce cases. A lawyer who handles divorce law as only one area of law in their practice may not be as suitable for your case as a lawyer who practices divorce law exclusively or almost exclusively.
Ask the lawyer how many cases they have handled. You should also ask about the lawyer’s trial experience. The court handles contested divorces, and your lawyer should have significant experience in trying cases.
2. Do You Have Experience in Contested Custody Cases?
Custody is one of the most important issues settled by a divorce. If you and your spouse have different ideas concerning custody, your divorce lawyer should have significant experience in managing contested custody and child support. You should also ask the lawyer about his or her perspective on sole custody vs. joint custody. Make sure you and the lawyer share the same outlook regarding custody.
3. Do You Have Experience in Collaborative Divorce?
If you and your spouse agree on most issues, you can settle your divorce without going through the court system. This is known as a “collaborative” divorce. If you expect to be able to settle matters with your spouse without contentious litigation, your lawyer should have experience in handling settlements. Ask the divorce lawyer how many cases he or she has settled out of court and whether they prefer to settle or go to trial.
4. Who Will Be Handling the Case?
Sometimes, the divorce lawyer you meet with is not the lawyer who will be handling the bulk of the work. It is not unusual to have more than one lawyer working on a case. Find out about the other lawyer’s experience and perspectives. You want to feel comfortable with everyone who works on your case.
5. How Much Are the Fees?
The fee agreement determines how much you will pay the lawyer, so you should have a good grasp on how that fee is determined. Ask the lawyer what his or her hourly rate is and find out whether that changes depending on if you have to go to trial.
6. How Much are the Costs?
Costs and fees are different. A fee is paid to a lawyer for his or her work on the case. Costs are amounts you may have to pay out of pocket for things like an expert witness, a psychological evaluation, or an accountant. Ask the lawyer how much you can expect to pay if you have to go to trial or if you have an uncontested divorce.
7. What Is Your Planned Strategy?
The lawyer will have only so much information at your initial meeting and may not be able to answer this question with specificity. However, you should find out the general direction the divorce lawyer expects to take in your particular case. You should know and discuss what that strategy is before a trial or before you settle out of court.
8. How Will You Communicate With Me (Text, Email, or Phone)?
Communication with your lawyer throughout the case is crucial to understanding how the case is progressing and what you should expect to happen next. Find out how the lawyer plans to keep you aware of all developments in the case. Another important question to ask is how you can get ahold of the lawyer when you want to.
9. Do You Know My Spouse?
Ordinarily, a divorce lawyer will not represent one spouse if he or she knows the other spouse. But, in some smaller towns or in unusual circumstances, the divorce lawyer you meet with may know your spouse. You will have to decide whether you still want that lawyer to represent you.
A lawyer acts in the best interest of his client, and the identity of the other party might not matter. But if you are uncomfortable with having a divorce lawyer who knows your spouse, you may want to seek another lawyer.
A Georgia Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Throughout the Process
If you are contemplating divorce and would like to discuss the legal process and the attorney’s qualifications, contact a Georgia divorce lawyer for a free consultation and learn if they are a good fit for your case.
Contact the Lawrenceville Divorce Lawyers at Crystal Wright Law To Get Legal Assistance Today
To learn more and get the help you deserve, contact our legal team at Crystal Wright Law and schedule your consultation today.
We serve all through Lawrenceville, Georgia in Gwinnett County and its surrounding areas. Visit our law firm today at
Crystal Wright Law
440 S. Perry Street Suite 105
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(404) 594-2143