If you are facing divorce, a child custody decision, or any other family law case, you are likely wondering how to prepare for a family lawyer consultation. Finding the right family law attorney can ensure that your parental rights are protected and that you do not have to give away more property than you are required to by law.
Preparing for your first family law consultation can begin by thinking about what qualities you should look for in a good attorney. Once the meeting is set, your to-do list should include listing questions to ask an attorney during a family law consultation. With tips from The Valley Law Group, you can approach your consultation with confidence.
Useful Tips To Keep in Mind As You Prepare for Your Legal Consultation
What you’ll need to prepare for an attorney consultation isn’t always obvious. For example, everyone has their own goals and expectations when it comes to legal representation in family court. Before we dig into specific questions to ask your lawyer and other steps you’ll need to prepare, consider these general tips as you prepare for your first family law consultation.
Be Open-Minded
It is natural to come to a consultation with a preconceived idea of how family court works, especially since we’ve all seen court proceedings in the news or fictionalized on TV. What actually happens in court can be considerably different, and you should be open to adjusting your expectations accordingly.
For example, there’s a perception that an aggressive or well-connected lawyer always has the advantage in court, but this isn’t the case. A judge will ultimately be focused on the facts of the case, and a parent-attorney team that is cooperative and willing to compromise may ultimately fare better.
Be Forthcoming
It is crucial to be honest in your discussions with any lawyer you are considering hiring. Anything you tell your lawyer is privileged information, so you do not have to worry about anyone else learning what you discuss.
If you are facing divorce or another family law issue, you likely understand how it feels to be betrayed, which can make it difficult to be open with someone. You may need to mentally prepare yourself to trust your attorney. Without access to accurate information, your lawyer may have a difficult time protecting your rights and advocating for your positions.
Start Gathering Documents Early
One of the most time-consuming aspects of any divorce involves the division of assets and property. To ensure a fair accounting of property and equitable division, you will be responsible for providing financial information and documents that allow the court to account for all marital and personal property. If you have certain assets that you believe belong to you outright, you will need to provide documentation that shows you either owned it before the marriage or received it as a gift or via an inheritance.
Begin Generating Questions
Coming to a consultation prepared requires you to take the time to write down questions to ask your attorney during a family law consultation in advance. While we will provide some key questions below, unique questions that apply to your case will almost certainly arise as your case continues. Keep a notepad handy where you can jot down questions as you think of them.
After your first consultation, you may decide you want to meet with another lawyer. You will probably have new questions to ask based on the first consultation, so be sure to record those, as well.
Be Prepared to Deal with Your Emotions
It is completely natural and normal to encounter strong emotions as you approach family court proceedings and throughout the process. Being a human means that life changes – particularly major ones – can be hard to cope with. Talking about your feelings to friends and family is one way you can begin to deal with your emotions in a healthy manner.
The sooner you can take steps to address lingering feelings of anger and resentment, the better you will be prepared to make important decisions about your future with the help of your attorney.
Begin Researching Family Law Basics
A good attorney will explain the legal process while avoiding jargon, and without eliminating crucial elements you need to know as you face your family law case. However, it is still advised to learn as much as you can about your case before you consult with your attorney. Reading about child custody laws, guidelines for dividing property and assets, adoption laws, or any other laws pertinent to your case can help you feel empowered as you begin what can be an overwhelming experience.
A quality family law attorney will help you clear any misconceptions and answer any questions you have while they work with you to develop your legal strategy. Being informed about your rights can make you a better client and better able to navigate the family court process with the help of your attorney.
Consider these tips to be prep work that can help you prepare for the journey ahead. Once you are better informed about the divorce process, you can begin looking for a quality attorney with confidence.
Understanding the Role of a Family Lawyer
After you’ve done some initial work on your own and as you approach your consultation date, it’s important to understand what a family law attorney can do for you. Family law attorneys are not one-dimensional practitioners of the law; in fact, quality family attorneys wear many hats. They handle many aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody and support, adoption, guardianships, and more, and must take on several roles during each case. Here are a few of the most important:
Protect Client Rights
One of the primary jobs of a family law attorney is to protect the rights of their clients. In a family court case, this may mean raising objections when opposing counsel tries to infringe on your parental rights. It can also mean advocating for a fair property division process.
Advise Clients on Legal Matters
Attorneys are called counselors in law for a reason. They provide advice to clients on a wide range of topics. In some situations, they may provide practical legal advice about which way to proceed with a case. In others, they may help you prepare to appear in court, prepare legal documents, and secure settlements. At different times during your family law case, your attorney may act as a mediator, negotiator, advisor, or active litigator. An experienced attorney should be able to fulfill any legal task needed to help you resolve your divorce on favorable terms.
Provide Other Support
Attorneys often are called upon to remind you that brighter days lie ahead if you can see the process through. Although you should use your attorney’s time wisely, you should also not be afraid to ask them about topics that are weighing on you.
Family lawyers offer essential legal and emotional support, understanding the stress these cases can cause. By appreciating their full role, you can make the most of their expertise and ensure the best representation.
Preparation for Your First Consultation
Your initial consultation with a family lawyer is an important step. Preparation can reduce stress and enhance the meeting’s productivity.
Bring all relevant documents, such as legal paperwork, financial records, marital contracts, child custody agreements, and property deeds. If you’re unsure of what you need, contact the lawyer’s office for guidance.
In addition, attorneys typically work tight schedules, so arrive a little early if you can and review your questions list while you wait.
Questions To Ask During a Consultation
First impressions matter, both for you and your attorney. Once the prospective attorney gives you an overview of how they work, you will have time to discuss some of the details of your case. Save time to ask questions, and be prepared to take notes. How the lawyer answers your questions should be a top factor when ultimately considering which attorney to hire.
These are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:
What Is Your Fee Structure?
Understanding the fee structure is crucial to anticipating potential costs. Ask about the best and worst-case scenarios to get a comprehensive view. While attorneys can’t give an exact price estimate, they can explain their hourly rates. Keep in mind that family law attorneys generally don’t work on a contingency basis.
What Can I Expect Regarding Communication?
The attorney’s communication style can tell you a lot. A lawyer with poor communication skills may not keep you updated during your case. Poor communication skills will not serve you well if your case goes before a judge. Having good communication skills is a crucial skill for any lawyer, and knowing ongoing information is key for your own preparation. Be sure to ask when you can expect to receive updates, how often your attorney will communicate with you, and how they plan to reach you (whether via phone, email, text, video chat, or something else).
What Is Your Experience?
Of course, it is essential to work with someone who spends most of their time practicing family law. Beyond that, you should also look for an attorney who has handled plenty of cases similar to yours. Ask about their experience, how often they have handled cases like yours, and the outcomes they achieved. If they try to sidestep those questions or to mislead you in any way, consider that a red flag.
Will I Be Working with Paralegals?
Consider asking about the role of paralegals within the firm. Inquire about their level of involvement in your case and their qualifications. Knowing how much they will participate can be beneficial, as paralegals often handle various tasks that can save you money if you’re billed by the hour.
Additionally, paralegals are skilled professionals who can provide valuable insights and support, contributing significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of your legal representation. By understanding their role, you can better appreciate the firm’s comprehensive service and how each team member contributes to your case.
What Resources Do You Offer?
Family law cases often require outside input, such as the services of a forensic auditor to look for assets your spouse may be hiding. Hiring expert witnesses could also help your case. You should ask the attorney what types of contacts they maintain and what services they can provide, especially if you are facing a high-asset divorce, child custody or guardianship case, or juvenile law case.
What Connections Do You Have with the Local Legal Community?
There’s nothing nefarious about inquiring into an attorney’s connections with court officials. A lawyer with many years of experience at the courthouse often makes important professional connections that may be useful. It’s better to have an experienced lawyer who is on friendly terms with other lawyers and judges than someone who is unfamiliar and has not developed a rapport with the local legal community.
What Is Your Availability?
Some attorneys prioritize quantity over quality service, using a “churn and burn” approach when accepting clients. If you work with an attorney who is overextended, they may be difficult to reach during your case. They may also have difficulty finding free time for important hearings and meetings. It is perfectly reasonable to ask a lawyer if they have the bandwidth to take on your case.
It’s crucial to find a lawyer who listens, respects your input, and explains legal matters clearly. The questions you ask during your first consultation will help you identify an attorney who meets these criteria and can expertly handle your case.
Evaluating Your Consultation
In many cases, by the time you reach your car after the consultation, you will have a gut feeling about how the consultation went. A good attorney should impress you with their insight into your case after you describe the basics. They may suggest some strategies based on your description. They should always seem open, honest, and attentive to your questions.
As you reflect on the consultation, reflect on how you were greeted when you entered and how the office operated. The lawyer should have been transparent about everything you discussed.
Evaluate your comfort during the consultation: Were you at ease discussing your situation, and did the attorney demonstrate empathy and understanding? Establishing trust and comfort is essential for a successful partnership. Take notes when you get home and list the positive and negative things you noticed.
Making The Decision
By the time you have consulted with a handful of attorneys, you likely have a better idea of what kind of lawyer you can work with. Experience and price matter, but so does personality. An attorney who is friendly, professional, and a good communicator can use those traits when working for you.
Once you have decided, call the attorney’s office and notify them that you would like their firm to represent you. Once the client-attorney agreement is signed, often with a retainer payment, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you have a qualified attorney who will work tirelessly to help you reach your goals in court.
Divorce Consultation FAQs
If you are considering a divorce, you might be wondering how to prepare for your initial legal divorce consultation. It is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at times by the process. A quality attorney can answer your questions during the consultation and leave you feeling reassured as you approach your case.
Knowing this information ahead of time can help you feel more confident as you begin your consultation.
Take the Next Step and Schedule Your Consultation
Preparing for your first family law consultation is worth the time and effort if it ensures you secure the right legal representation and helps you feel confident as you approach your family law case. At The Valley Law Group, we understand the importance and value of finding the right family law attorney, and we are confident that you will feel at home in any of our Valley-area offices. Take the first step by filling out our online legal consultation form, and someone from our team will respond quickly to help you schedule your consultation with our family law attorneys.
Jonathan Roeder, Founder/Director of Marketing of The Valley Law Group, is an Arizona native who has dedicated his life and career to the service of others. After graduating salutatorian of his high school class, Jonathan attended beautiful and prestigious Pepperdine University, where he majored in Political Science. During his tenure at Pepperdine University, his passion for helping others grew after securing a clinical position with a residential treatment center for juveniles with substance addictions. Post-graduation, Jonathan returned to Arizona and served as a residential manager for mentally and physically disabled homes.
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