Make sure that you are comfortable with the attorney from the start. When you pick up the phone to contact a lawyer, you are taking the first step to what may be a long relationship. From the moment you call the divorce lawyer’s office, you should get a sense that your call is important and that the lawyer and their staff are a team who is there to assist you.
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Some question to think about during these initial meetings
- Are you comfortable with your initial contact with the lawyer and office staff?
- What did you think of your first impression?
- Did you meet the actual lawyer you will be working with?
One thing that you should be aware of, many divorce lawyers will not provide quotes for retainers over the phone. There are many reasons for this. More often than not, meeting in person can reveal aspects of the case that can’t be conveyed over the phone, thus an in accurate assessment of the case could give a poor review in which to base the cost. A law firm that is merely trying to get people in the door can offer you a low retainer rate just to appear to be more affordable than all the other firms. The problem with that is, they could go through your initial retainer quickly and then ask for more money from you to keep representing you. You should look for a divorce lawyer that provides you with a realistic expectation of overall costs and fees based upon your particular circumstances. Remember, the old saying “you get what you pay for”!
In some cases even an experienced law firm will struggle to give you an accurate quote for the cost of the divorce and any court proceedings. One of the biggest reasons for this is not knowing the stance that the other lawyer is going to take during the litigation. Your lawyer cannot predict this. But, as the case proceeds and your lawyers sees the type of litigation that your spouse or the opposing lawyer is taking, then she should be able to provide you with some further guidance as to the overall financial impact of your case.
After meeting with your prospective divorce lawyer, you should feel that you were understood, that the lawyer realized what your goals are in terms of the divorce or other family law matter, and that you and your questions were important and will continue to be important throughout the representation.