Choosing the right divorce attorney to handle your separation or dissolution of marriage is one of the most critical decisions you'll make during this challenging process. Asking the right questions upfront ensures you understand your lawyer's background, approach, communication style, and costs so that it's the best fit for your specific situation and needs. Here are four important questions every potential divorce attorney should clearly answer before you commit.

1. What's Your Specific Experience in My Type of Divorce?

It’s crucial to understand your attorney’s background and track record handling cases very similar to yours. Ask specifically how many divorce cases they have managed involving circumstances like yours. Cases with minor children, complex asset division, alimony factors, high net worth, prenuptial agreements, and more are all facets that have to be considered. You want to confirm your attorney is intimately familiar with and well-versed in the nuances and challenges of your particular situation. Keep in mind that according to Forbes, only 6% of divorced couples remarry each other.

2. What Is Your Philosophy on Reaching Equitable Settlements?

Gaining insight into your divorce attorney’s general approach and mindset when it comes to reaching fair settlements is key. Some attorneys naturally take an aggressive, uncompromising stance focused on fighting for maximum assets. Others prioritize aiming for mediation, cooperation, and compromise first to avoid courtroom conflict. Know whether their style and strategies align with your desired process and level of contention.

3. How Responsive Will You Be With Communication?

Navigating the divorce process is tremendously stressful and emotional. You need an attorney who will be readily available to answer your calls and questions and quick to respond when you need case updates or have concerns. Ask specifically about what communication channels they use, expected response times, who handles intake duties, and how frequently they provide progress reports to clients.

4. What Are All the Costs Involved?

Get a fully transparent understanding upfront of the attorney’s fees, typical expenses, required retainer amount, and any additional costs that could arise such as hiring experts, discovery, subpoenas, etc. Ask if they offer flat rate billing or hourly. You want absolutely no financial surprises. Also, understand exactly what's included in the retainer and fees to ensure diligent, thorough representation.

Doing your due diligence with these key questions ensures you'll choose a divorce attorney who best fits your situation, communication needs, settlement philosophy, and budget. Asking the right questions upfront prevents any surprises from arising later down the road. The right attorney makes all the difference in resolving your divorce as smoothly as possible. Reach out to Affordable Divorce for a consultation today if you're going through the divorce process.