Divorce Lawyer Consultation: Questions to ask
When meeting with a divorce lawyer for an initial assessment, it's helpful to get as much details as possible. If you stop working to prepare and forget to ask about crucial info, you might end up having to pay the attorney to respond to those questions at a later time.
Attorney Fee Structure
The first question you should ask the divorce lawyer throughout the assessment has to do with her cost structure. Particularly, you would like to know whether the lawyer will bill you for each hour she spends on your case, including the time she spends answering your questions, or whether it's a set cost. Given that divorce procedures can in some cases take years to complete, you should prepare for the financial implications.
Divorce Procedures
Every state has various treatments you and your lawyer should follow to declare divorce. Although the length of time required to complete a divorce will always depend on the complexity of your situation, your lawyer ought to offer you with an estimate of the timeline. If you work full-time or have other responsibilities that consume a majority of your time, understanding of necessary divorce treatments and the time dedications they require can help you prepare for what lies ahead.
Spousal support Issues
States have specific rules that determine whether a partner may seek spousal support from the other partner. Sometimes, eligibility relates to the length of your marriage, whether you or your partner stays at home to raise children, or even the disparity in incomes between spouses. Regardless of whether you are the spouse looking for the alimony or have concerns about your liability for its payment, raising the concern throughout the initial consultation with your lawyer can offer you with insight into your potential liabilities as you continue through the divorce.
Kid Custody
When you have children with your spouse, and are not able to privately agree regarding who will keep custody, it's important to comprehend from the start which elements are important to state see here judges when choosing which moms and dad to award custody to. You ought to ask your attorney what your opportunities are of acquiring custody of your children. Given that child custody issues often extend divorce proceedings, it's finest to understand which issues are best to yield and which to challenge. You might also inquire about alternative conflict resolution like mediation or arbitration if you feel going to trial is something you 'd like to avoid.
Splitting Marital Assets
Most state divorce laws supply a simple formula for allocating joint properties between partners. Nevertheless, the formula varies for each state given that state residential or commercial property laws will determine the ownership rights of each spouse. It's important to ask the divorce legal representative what the legal framework for splitting marital properties is in your state.
For more information, contact:
Clearwater Law Group
5205 West Clearwater Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 734-8500