When you come to your initial consultation, the goal is to get the lay of the land in terms of your divorce outlook. In many ways, your consultation will be as much about your attorney asking you questions as it is about you asking them.
However, while you have all the pertinent personal information about your case, your attorney has the legal perspective of divorce in California. You can and should ask any question you want, but here are some questions that might offer you a great deal of insight:
How much will my divorce cost, and long will it take?
In California and in many other states, there are some set costs and waiting periods. But the reason you should ask this question isn’t to understand those. This question will allow you to understand your attorney’s commitment to honestly assessing your situation.
Divorces that move quickly are possible, but implying that it’s always the case mischaracterizes the situation immensely. It’s better to get an unsatisfying honest answer here than a comforting truth.
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How do courts rule in situations like mine?
While your situation is certainly unique, there is a great deal of legal precedent that the court can draw on that may be similar. Your attorney should have a working knowledge of the precedent and be able to explain how it matters in this case.
Who will be working on my case?
Some attorneys handle everything personally. Some larger firms have many associates to do a lot of work. Still, others use a paralegal to do essential research and services. All of these legal professionals are doing their job ethically and appropriately. However, you want to understand your legal team and be comfortable with how it works.
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What should I say to my spouse?
If you’ve not decided to divorce yet and this is a consultation, or if your mind is definitely made up, your lawyer should advise you on how to handle this. There are many strategies here, and your lawyer will guide you through to a smart, effective option that should work for you.
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How often should I call you?
Communication between attorneys and clients is vitally important. Understanding where you stand is a must, but there’s for many, there is a point of diminishing returns. It’s important to know just how much your attorney values communicating with you.
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