The 3 actions: ask 4 important questions first, review 4 imperative considerations and review 3 crucial financial documents. See examples.
The cost of divorce can be significant and hiring the right attorney is imperative to resolve your divorce quickly and fairly.
There are popular and reputable attorneys continuously retained on their reputation; they may not be what you need. My goal is to provide enough information for you to make the best informed decision, possible for your case. I’ve retained several clients who needed this information.
If you choose an attorney who is considered popular
Ask yourself these questions first……
- Who gave you the referral?
- What other considerations did you make before choosing an attorney?
- Did you shop for counsel or choose the first attorney someone you know well, told you to hire?
- Were you hoping to retain a specific attorney or a specific firm?
Then review these considerations…..
- Consider what approach you want to take to your divorce.
- Consider how the time it takes to return your call and set an appointment.
- Consider how well you relate to the lawyer you meet.
- Consider the level of professionalism you experience.
Once you’ve considered all of these and had your questions answered, figure out your budget.
Hiring a good attorney is not succumbing to absurd costs, unreasonable work on your case, or extra fees, other than billable time.
Review these items
- Read the Fee Agreement carefully.
- Review your invoice or attorney bill every month when you receive it.
- What are the detailed costs?
You are likely going to be quoted $5000.00 – $10,000.00 retainer to begin work on your contested divorce with parental responsibility and divisions of high end assets.
Know the attorney’s rate you believe you are retaining, the associate attorney’s rates – if any, the paralegal’s and administrative assistant rates and even any intern rate who may be learning the law on your case and your dime.
Some fee agreements are so bold as to charge a flat percentage of your monthly invoice to cover expenses – regardless of whether or not they were necessary for your case. Find out about charges for each piece of paper printed or copied on, in addition to the hourly rate, you are paying.
Confirm that you will receive monthly invoices- and review them MONTHLY! If you don’t understand items on your bill, your notes of the conversation or meeting and the time is different than what the attorney billed – ask.
Don’t get in a “pay you later” position with your attorney. While you cannot expect your attorney to work for free, you also do not want your counsel to decline further representation and withdraw at a critical time in your case.
The worst scenario is when the attorney stays on the case and then liens the assets you are awarded in a divorce to secure payment.
There is extreme competition to be your attorney. Having personally and professionally experienced the costs of counsel for litigation, I work hard to be fair and reasonable always striving to be cost effective and efficient for my clients.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns 720-943-7707 or Email Me
