Questions to Ask When Searching for a Family Law Attorney

Doing Due Diligence

When you are in the process of a family law case, it is important to have an attorney who will protect your best interests. However, finding the right family law attorney can be difficult. You want to ask questions that will help you determine which lawyer is right for you. In this blog, we will provide a list of questions to ask when meeting with potential attorneys. We will also discuss what factors you should consider when making your decision.

Have You Handled Cases Like Mine?

You'll want to ask the attorney if they have handled cases like yours in the past. This will give you some insight into their experience and what they may be able to do for you. If they haven't handled a case with issues similar to yours, that doesn't mean they can't help you, but it's something to consider.

What Have Your Results Been Like?

Another question to ask is what their results have been like in past cases. This can give you an idea of what to expect and how they may be able to help you. The attorney should be able to give you some examples of cases they have handled and what the results were. However, be advised that there is never any guarantee that your results will be the same as those in previous cases.

What is Your Strategy for Cases?

After you've asked the attorney about their experience, you'll want to ask them about their strategy. This will help you understand how they plan on approaching your case and what they think the best course of action may be. It's important to make sure that you're on the same page as the attorney and that you're both working towards the same goal.

What Are My Options?

You'll also want to ask the attorney what your options are. This is important because you need to know what your options are for moving forward with your case before making any decisions. The attorney should be able to lay out all of your options for you so that you can make an informed decision about what to do next.

What Are the Risks of Moving Forward in This Direction?

Whenever you're making any kind of decision, it's important to know what the risks are. This is especially true when you're dealing with something as important as your family. You'll want to ask the attorney what the risks are so that you can make an informed decision about what to do next.

What Kind of Consultants Do You Work With?

A more complex divorce often requires the help of outside experts. Many family law attorneys work with professionals in other areas of finance and law in order to give their clients the best possible experience. Many firms will work with forensic accountants, private investigators, and other professionals who can help a client working through a complex family law matter.

At Feinberg & Waller, APC, our extended team includes individuals who provide us with invaluable information that can go a long way in a divorce. These individuals include a forensic accountant, a private investigator, a child custody evaluator, and a qualified domestic relations order attorney.

Do You Have Trial Experience?

This is another important question to ask your potential attorney. While most family law cases are settled out of court, there is always the possibility that your case will go to trial. You'll want an attorney with trial experience on your side if that happens.

What Type of Structure Do You Have in Place?

Many family law attorneys act as sole practitioners, meaning they handle cases on their own in addition to juggling other responsibilities. Other firms such as Feinberg & Waller, APC employ a support staff and use a team-based approach that gives us the ability to interact with clients more consistently and to cover a case from all perspectives.

In addition, at Feinberg & Waller, APC, we also give our attorneys greater resources to help our clients through our extensive legal libraries and our office software infrastructure that goes beyond the capabilities of other firms.

As you decide which family law attorney to hire for your case, consider asking how they manage cases and what type of structure they have in place at the firm.

What Are Your Fees?

Of course, you'll also want to know how much the attorney charges for their services. Under California law, any family law service that will cost $1000 or more must be paid through a retainer. In fact, many attorneys use a retainer regardless of price in order to ensure compliance with state law and to give their clients an easy-to-understand payment structure. However, it does not hurt to ask a prospective attorney about their fee structure so you can better plan your finances for the process.