Questions to Ask When Deciding on a Boca Raton Divorce Attorney
When deciding on a Boca Raton divorce attorney, it’s important that you feel comfortable and can communicate well with him or her. Your attorney is an integral part of your upcoming divorce. You want someone who not only listens to you, but clearly explains the process in detail and keeps you in the loop on all developments in your case.
Maximize your time when meeting with potential attorneys by preparing a list of questions you want answered. In addition to questions you may have jotted down already, be sure you also ask these.
What is your fee structure?
Before you decide on an attorney, you need to ask about his or her fee structure when you have your initial consultation. Ask whether they will bill for each hour spent working on your case. Find out if it is a fixed fee or if you will be billed every time you call to ask a question. There is a chance your divorce can drag on for months, or even years in some cases, so you must be prepared for the potential costs.
What are the other expected costs, independent of your legal fees?
When an attorney gives you their fixed rate for billing or explains their hourly fee, that is not going to include all the additional costs that must be paid to the court. These expenses are usually filing fees, court reporter fees, process server costs, expert witness fees, etc.
Will the court require me to pay a portion of my spouse’s legal fees?
Florida is what is known as a fee shifting state. That means if one spouse makes considerably more than the other, the court may require the high-earning spouse to contribute to the other spouse’s legal fees.
Do you specialize in divorce or is it just part of your practice?
You want an attorney who specializes in Florida family law matters and has ample experience handling contested divorces. Be wary of an attorney who claims to specialize in a wide variety of legal topics. An attorney who only handles one or two divorce cases each year isn’t likely to be as proficient as one who handles family law matters exclusively.
How long do you take to return phone calls? What happens if it’s an emergency?
It’s important to understand what the attorney’s timeline is when it comes to client communication. If they say they typically return phone calls within two days, maybe you want an attorney who is more responsive. Be sure to ask how emergencies are handled or what happens if you need to reach him or her after hours.
Who else will be working on my case?
This is an important question because there is a good chance you will be dealing with the attorney’s legal secretary, paralegal, or maybe another attorney in the office sometimes. If you do not feel comfortable with the people you will be dealing with the most, this might not be the right fit for you.
If you have questions about family law matters in Florida or are looking for a divorce attorney in Boca Raton, contact the Law Offices of Schwartz | White at 561-391-9943 to schedule a consultation.
