Questions To Ask Your Divorce Lawyer

Filing for divorce can be emotional and life-changing. If you have decided to file for a divorce, you probably have already been through some confusion. When working with a divorce lawyer in Pottstown PA the last thing you need is more confusion. As you prepare yourself to work with your divorce lawyer, you may have a lot of questions. Following are some important questions to ask your lawyer before filing for a divorce.

How long have you been practicing? Before you even start working with a lawyer, you will want to know how long he has been handling divorces. The more experience a lawyer has, the more likely he is to be able to handle your case in a smooth and efficient manner. Ask how many years he has been practicing and what his experience involves. Knowing your divorce lawyer in Pottstown PA has helped other people in your situation before can give you more confidence in his ability to help you.

What does the divorce process generally look like? During your first consultation with your lawyer, ask him to walk you through the steps of the divorce process. You will want to know such things like at what point he will file your papers, at what point will your spouse be served, and at what point a case goes to mediation or trial. Knowing the process will clear some confusion you may be experiencing.

How many of your cases go to trial? Going to trial during a divorce can increase the cost significantly. You may want to know how many times, on average, your divorce lawyer in Pottstown PA takes his cases to trial. Mediation is generally a shorter process than going to trial and less expensive. Although, if your case is complicated, your lawyer may advise that you go to trial. Ask him what his thoughts are on the subject and if how likely it will be that your case will go to trial.

What are your fees? Before you work with any lawyer, you want to ask what his fees are. Generally, you pay by the hour and some lawyers require a retainer. Ask about other fees that may show up during the process and get an estimate for those fees. You may also want to ask about any paralegals or legal assistants that work for your lawyer and the fees they charge. Having your lawyer’s paralegal or legal assistant do everything they are qualified to do for your case can save you money.