10 Questions to Ask Your Divorce Lawyer

Going through a divorce can be a slow and painful experience, so be sure to ask your divorce lawyer these important questions to help ensure a smoother process.

When it comes to divorcing a spouse, never underestimate the competence and resolve of your ex; divorces tend to bring out the animosity and greed in even the nicest and level headed of individuals. As such, it is imperative you hire a highly regarded Maryland divorce lawyer who will work to protect your best interests and those of your children, if you have any. To ensure you hire a lawyer who’s right for the job, ask the following 10 questions when interviewing prospects and during initial consultations:

1. What type of experience do you have with divorces? How much of your practice is devoted to family law and have you handled cases similar to mine?

2. What resources (e.g. literature, counseling, etc.) can you make available for my children and me to make the divorce as easy as possible, given the circumstances?

3. Are there junior lawyers or other staff, such as paralegals, that will be working on my case? If so, can I meet them and will I be charged less for the work they perform?

4. How will I be charged (e.g. hourly or a flat rate) and how much can I expect to pay given my situation?

5. Am I required to pay a retainer in full upfront or can I pay as services are rendered?

6. From reviewing my case, what other additional expenses do you expect may be involved (such as paying for private investigators or psychologists if your case goes to trial)? Are there experts outside of your firm that you would recommend or work with regularly?

7. Can you estimate the total amount the divorce will cost me? (You may find many lawyers who hesitate to answer this question simply because the outcome entirely depends on the level of conflict between you and your spouse).

8. Do you charge for phone calls, emails, faxes, etc. - anything other than an in-office visit? If so, how much for each method of communication?

9. Do you advocate meditation or going to trial? How often do you advise meditation versus going to trial?

10. Can you advise me on how my insurance and taxes will change once I am divorced?