Before you choose a Connecticut divorce lawyer, it’s important to make sure you’re both on the same page about what will happen. Essentially interviewing family law attorneys can be a nerve-wracking experience. However, agreeing to work with someone without doing so first can lead to disappointment, complications, and other frustrations down the road. Here are 5 hard questions to ask your divorce lawyer and who to call in the event that you need family legal representation.
Tough Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer
1. What Should I Reasonably Expect During the Connecticut Divorce Process?
It’s a good idea to ask potential attorneys a few broad questions before diving into specifics. Ask them what you can reasonably expect to see happen during the process of dissolving your marriage. For example, can you expect to go to court because your ex-spouse is contesting the divorce? Or are you expected to be awarded full custody of your children?
A Connecticut divorce lawyer should be able to explain to you the steps of getting a divorce and tailor them to your specific case as much as possible. During this conversation, you should get a feel for the attorney’s general approach and how responsive they are to answering your questions. If the lawyer seems reluctant, this may be a red flag.
2. What Happens If My Divorce Becomes Contested?
Simply put, conflict costs. If you and your ex-spouse cannot reach an agreement on an issue, a judge must make the decision for you. This means you’ll have to schedule a hearing, present your case to the judge, and wait for the verdict to find out how your family will be affected. Ideally, your divorce will be uncontested, meaning that you and your ex-spouse agree on all matters relating to your divorce, including child custody, support, alimony, etc.
That said, it’s often unrealistic to expect that there will be no disagreements about the divorce, especially if one or both spouses have a high net worth or one spouse stands to gain significantly from the other given the circumstances of the divorce. Ask potential lawyers to review the potential for a contested divorce and how this might impact the process of dissolution.
3. What Legal Strategy Makes the Most Sense For Me?
Once you’ve consulted with a potential legal representative about the specifics of your case, ask what legal strategy the attorney believes would make the most sense for you given your circumstances and goals. This allows you to get a feel for how well the attorney is able to plan ahead, answer detailed questions quickly, and how well they were paying attention to you when you presented your divorce case.
You want to be able to hire a lawyer that thinks on their feet and values your time enough to avoid distractions during your consultation appointment. If an attorney makes you feel like you aren’t the center of their focus during your meeting, this may be something to consider when meeting with other potential lawyers.
4. Who Will Be Working On My Case?
Whether the lawyer you consult with is the same one who will be working on your case, and even if that attorney is the same one who will be representing you in court, depends largely on the firm’s policies. Large family law firms are more likely to assign multiple lawyers to one case based on who is available when.
Smaller firms and solo practices usually have the same attorney work on a case from start to finish, from the consultation to the final verdict. If they don’t, a smaller firm is more likely to be amenable to offering you the same lawyer if requested.
5. How Much Will My Divorce Cost?
Hiring a divorce attorney in Darien, CT and the surrounding metropolitan areas can become a significant expense, particularly if you’re involved in a high-net-worth divorce. It’s important to understand what costs you will be responsible for and what can happen during the divorce process to increase or decrease those expenses.
Common costs of a divorce include but aren’t limited to:
- Your attorney’s hourly rate
- Travel costs for your attorney, if applicable
- Court filing fees
- The cost of selling your home, if applicable
- The cost of living expenses during the divorce process
- Motion fees
- Mediation fees
Get Legal Help Today From a Zealous Connecticut Divorce Lawyer
Veteran Connecticut divorce lawyer Heidi E. Opinsky has the skills and experience to provide you with comprehensive legal representation during the dissolution of your marriage. Contact our office today to book your initial case consultation by calling 203-653-3542.