Divorce Law

Divorce law can be a convoluted process for everyone involved, especially if the couple seeking a divorce was married for an extensive period of time. Each state has their own system and laws in place for divorce proceedings, and the individuals involved have to be aware of every law before reaching an agreement. Finding a lawyer is just the first step in a lengthy and sometimes harrowing experience.

Divorce law involves the process of dissolving marriages between two people who feel they are unable live together anymore. It is important to understand your legal limitations before taking any action. After contacting your lawyer, the next step in divorce proceedings is a legal separation.

Divorce law allows the collection of information on both spouses involved. This is called "discovery," and normally consists of five steps. The first is a disclosure, where both the petitioner and the respondent list what they feel is rightfully theirs. This includes property, child custody rights, and personal assets.

Interviewing divorce attorneys can be an arduous task. You're already trying to deal with the myriad of emotions that comes with divorce and you're worried about the financial implications of your choice. If there are children involved, no doubt your main priority is to complete the divorce process as smoothly as possible to minimize the disruption to their lives.

First Question for Prospective Divorce Attorneys

The first question revolves around money. Divorce can be expensive. It’s not just the division of assets; it’s the cost in working out child support, extras like private detectives or psychologists, and of course the attorney fees. Therefore, the number one priority in your interview process is to find out how much your divorce will cost.

Most divorce lawyers will be reluctant to give you a total cost of the divorce. However, they should be able to ask you a series of questions to deduce a rough estimate of your divorce costs. They should take into account whether your divorce is amicable, whether you have children, and the grounds for divorce.

As part of this, you should discuss their fee structure. Do they charge by the day, hour, or minute? Does the cost increase if you go to court? Will they charge for advice on peripherals such as tax implications? What are the standard disbursements? Finding a lawyer who does not charge you every time you make a simple phone call will significantly reduce your stress levels, and the overall cost of their time.

More Questions for Prospective Divorce Attorneys

The second most important question after money is your attorney’s experience. First, determine whether they specialize in divorce law, or simply offer it as part of a number of areas of law. It is better to choose an attorney that is a specialist in divorce law. Additionally, if there are children caught up in the divorce, you should investigate whether your divorce attorneys are qualified in Family Law.

To get a good gauge of their divorce experience, ask them how many divorce cases they have handled that are similar to yours. Look for an honest answer that contains specific details and examples. This way, you can feel comfortable that you will receive the best advice possible on your entitlements.

Asking these two important questions will help you assess which of your divorce attorneys in the Boston area will be right for you. Remember to call more than one attorney so you can compare. A minimum of 3 is recommended.