Questions to Ask When Hiring Divorce Attorney eidelmanassoc.com
Questions At The Interview When seeking a divorce attorney, it is not always wise to hire the biggest law firm around. There are two key aspects you must focus on when hiring an Allentown divorce lawyer. • •
The qualifications of the lawyer How cases are handled at the firm
The best idea is to interview different lawyers until you arrive at a decision. It is even fair to pay a token for an initial consultation. The goal is to get the right attorney. A good Allentown divorce lawyer will put the interests of you and your spouse first. Such a lawyer will put in work to make sure the best results are achieved. When seeking an Allentown divorce lawyer, there are certain questions that will guide you. They include: • •
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Is family law the attorney’s area of specialization? It is imperative that your divorce attorney is a certified family law specialist. This assures you that your lawyer is fully aware of the nitty-gritty involved in divorce matters. How many cases does the firm handle? If the firm handles thousands of cases, they may not be best for you. Chances are, your case will not be given the needed attention. Firms with very many cases tend to allow junior lawyers and paralegals handle cases. Do they handle cases involving celebrities and/or the wealthy? This may also affect your case negatively. Yours will not seem to matter to them as much as the aforementioned groups. It will benefit you only if you are a member of these classes.
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Does the attorney have any working relationship with that of your spouse? Do they know each other? Have they worked with each other before? Does your spouse's attorney normally make reasonable efforts to settle the case? How confidential is mediation of custody dispute? Will it be kept secret or said to the judge? Should mediation fail, what is next? Will the mediator then make a custody recommendation to the court? How accessible and forthcoming is the attorney? Will they be accessible? Will they return your calls and answer your questions? You would want to get an update on the status of the case status. Hence, your attorney should keep you posted. They should send you copies of letters sent and received. They should also send you copies of pleadings filed with the court.
An Allentown divorce lawyer should know how things operate in the area. They should understand how the judges operate. You can always know if the lawyer is abreast by asking the aforementioned questions. Generally, the fewer the number of assets, the easier the divorce process. But then, it gets complicated when you have the assets. At first, finding an experienced lawyer feels good. But you will not feel so good knowing your case will be handled by someone less experienced. A good attorney will try to negotiate with your spouse’s and ensure fairness. However, when your interests are threatened unfairly, they will ensure you come first. Why not hire a good attorney?
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Why You Need Divorce Attorneys True, when people stick together through thick and thin in a relationship it is adorable. However, there are relationships that will simply not last. Divorce can and does happen. As such, it is imperative that you brace yourself for the eventuality of a divorce. A divorce attorney is indispensable in this regard. A divorce attorney in Allentown is a wise choice; this is especially due to the rate at which divorce occurs. Also, emotions are high during a divorce, and a good idea would be to have someone else do the thinking job. Divorce is a lot to chew, considering the effort partners have put into the marriage. A divorce lawyer will offer great assistance. Such lawyers are called family law attorneys. They specialize in divorce, child support, child visitation rights, alimony, and so on. It is important to talk to such an attorney before beginning such a process. A divorce attorney in Allentown will ensure that they offer professional advice. They will make sure they assist their clients and avoid any unfair treatment. Divorce lawyers have a vast wealth of legal knowledge and experience in such matters; with this, they serve as a guide to their clients. Many a time, people have been cheated of their rights and entitlements. This is due to the lack of professional legal representation. Hiring a family law attorney makes sure you are not taken advantage of. Some of the most desirable qualities to look out for in a divorce attorney include: • Must be well respected • Must be local • Must be experienced • Should have a good track record.
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The benefits include: • • • • •
You stand to gain an ally as well as an advocate Such a lawyer will understand your alternatives and legalities during the process You stand to get advised by someone with knowledge and experience They represent their client(s) to the best of their abilities They are capable of mediating between both parties during tense moments. Such medications will help to cut down on court fees and legal fees that may come up during the divorce process. • Hiring a local divorce attorney in Allentown will make sure the case is guided through local laws. When you hire a local lawyer, you are putting a good position; this is mostly because a local lawyer will be familiar with the opposition attorneys, local clerks, and judges. This goes a long way in ensuring a good outcome. When one party has a lawyer, and the other does not, unfair advantages are sure to be given to the party represented. There are times when the parties can work it out on their own; in such cases, which are rare, attorneys are not needed. However, in hiring a divorce attorney in Allentown, there are fees involved. Many divorce attorneys require a retainer and charge based on an hourly rate. A fee paid upfront by the client to obtain the attorney’s service is called a retainer.
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Your First Meeting with a Divorce Attorney The usual first step in a divorce is meeting with your attorney. When meeting for the first time, it is okay to feel nervous, excited or unsure. Despite the mixed feelings, there is always the puzzling concern of what to talk about. This is always the case when meeting with divorce lawyers in Allentown PA. You must try to have a definite plan when you walk into your attorney’s office. Remember that you have questions that need answers. You must have the right questions and remember to ask them. Your first meeting should leave you with an idea or two of the process. When you do not ask your questions, you get to hear everything else but answers. If need be, make a list of questions and take it along with you. This makes sure you do not end up spending more by calling to ask questions after the first meeting. There is a range of information you should have after your first meeting with the divorce attorney. How well your attorney handles, your case will affect your life after the divorce. This is true, especially as regards your finances. You must bear this in mind. Divorce lawyers in Allentown PA will let you know the following:
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The cost of their services. You must be fully aware of the cost. Some lawyers demand large retainers and others bill you on a regular basis. Apart from their services, you must also know the cost of the divorce itself. Even if you cannot get the exact figure, an estimate would be perfect. The information you need should also center on the experience of the attorney. How long have they been practicing divorce law? How long have they been in Allentown? You would want a lawyer who specializes in family law or divorce. It is advantageous if they are familiar with the place. This is because they would know the judges and lawyers in the area. You must also be aware of the approach that your attorney plans on taking. Are they going to be a cooperative or combative? This helps you compare and contrast with your style. If you would like to settle and not go hostile, you need your attorney to be like that. If his or her approach does not tally with yours, you might want to find someone else. However, your chosen attorney should be able to fight for you if a combative approach becomes necessary. When meeting with divorce lawyers in Allentown PA, you should also throw in some open questions; such as what they think the outcome of the divorce will be. They should be able to give you information; especially those pertaining to property, child support, child custody, and alimony. An experienced attorney should let you know what they think. Otherwise, they are either inexperienced or hiding something. Do not be afraid to look elsewhere for a lawyer that is more experienced and straightforward.
When you visit divorce lawyers in Allentown PA, prepare to ask and answer questions. http://www.eidelmanassoc.com/allentown-divorce-attorney/ eidelmanassoc.com