By: M. Scott Gordon
Before hiring a Divorce Attorney you should always gain more
information about his/her experience and credentials. Choosing the right Family Law Advocate can make all the difference in the best outcome for you and your
Family. Once you have done some research online and possibly made some direct
inquiries it is important you ask the right questions to ensure you choose the
right Attorney for your situation.
First, it is a good idea to get an idea of
his/her experience. This can help you decide if they are the right person to
handle your particular case. Some good questions to ask your attorney regarding
their experience include:
- How many Divorce cases have you handled?
- How many of those cases were settled out of the courtroom?
- Are you familiar with the Family Court Judges in Cook Co and or Lake Co?
- Do you believe it is better to mediate and negotiate or go to Trial?
- Do you have specific experience negotiating Child Custody and Child Support or Spousal Support? Be specific about your particular legal issue you feel will come up during your Divorce case.
- Do you know my spouse’s Attorney?
When asking these questions you will have a better idea if the Attorney
you are speaking with will be able to handle your case and he/she will provide
the best possible outcome for your specific situation.
Once you have an idea on their experience you can start to inquire on
how your specific case will be handled. Let’s take a look at some questions to
ask regarding how your case will be worked:
- Will you or another Attorney in the firm be handling my case?
- Can I meet with anyone else involved in my case?
- Is the Attorney available via phone, email or in person?
- Do you have a heavy caseload? Will they be able to dedicate time to me?
- Will I receive copies of documents filed in court, and all communications with my spouse’s attorney related to my case?
- Will you keep me informed of all developments in my case?
- Will you ask my opinion before planning strategies?
- What is the attorney’s personal feelings about joint custody vs. sole custody?
Having a firm understanding on how your case will be handled will
provide you security that the attorney has your best interest at heart. Having
a Family Law Advocate that is dedicated to providing you with the best possible
outcome for your specific situation can make all the difference. Choosing the
right attorney can impact the next 10-20 years of your life, and asking the
right questions will assist you in making the best decision for your Family.
Finally let’s look at some of the question to ask regarding Attorney
Fees. All attorneys have fees, and most will require an upfront retainer fee,
and bill on an hourly basis. Spending the money on the right attorney can save
you years of frustration, and can help you avoid having to go through this
situation again down the road. Getting the most expensive attorney does not
mean you are getting the best attorney; however it is important to be educated
on your potential attorney and how their fees work.
Here are some of the questions to ask your attorney regarding his/her
fees:
- What is your retainer fee?
- What is your hourly rate?
- Do any fees I pay include the services of any and all associates within the firm?
- If my case goes to Divorce court will there be extra fees involved?
- Will I sign an agreement outlining the fee arrangement?
- Will I be sent an itemized statement for the work done?
- Are there any other costs I need to be aware of? (Court filing fees, process server fees, etc.)
- Will I be billed for communications via email or phone?
If you have any questions regarding this blog, the information included
or you would like to speak with an Attorney at M. Scott Gordon & Associates
regarding your case feel free to contact us here, or
call one our offices to see how we can help. Family Law Advocate Skokie Office
847-329-0101, Chicago Office 312-360-0250.
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