The Most Important Considerations When Hiring a Divorce Lawyer

 Posted on October 09, 2020 in Family Law

You have a lot of concerns when going through a divorce, and an Illinois divorce lawyer can help alleviate many of them. Unfortunately, not all divorce lawyers in the state are created equal and some are better than others. So, when you are going through a divorce, how can you tell if you found the right one for your case? You can start by reviewing the five most important considerations below.

Who Will Work on Your Case?

Many divorce lawyers offer free consultations and the chances are good that you may have yours with one of the biggest partners at the firm. Law firms sometimes do this to instill confidence in you that you are working with the most experienced divorce lawyer.

Unfortunately, too many clients soon learn that after that initial consultation, the partner has passed your case off to a paralegal or associate. These individuals are integral to a law firm and while they may help your lawyer during your case, they should never be the ones guiding the big decisions. Always ask if the attorney you consult with will be the one working on your case. If not, it may be time to find a different firm.

The Attorney’s Experience

This point goes hand in hand with the one above. Regardless of whether you need an attorney to review a settlement agreement or represent you in court, you need an attorney that will know what they are up against and all the possible challenges they may face along the way. This is the only way to ensure your attorney can handle anything that comes their way as they handle your case.

The Attorney’s Fees

Different divorce lawyers will have different fee structures and all of them are valid. However, you must know the fees you are agreeing to before you ever sign a contract so you are not surprised in the end. If the case goes to court and your attorney brings a junior associate with them, will you be charged two hourly rates or just one? Will your attorney use other experts that will cost you an additional fee? These are just some of the questions you should ask so you are aware of the full cost you will pay the attorney.

Communication with the Attorney

Divorce lawyers are busy, but that is no reason for ignoring your calls or failing to inform you of updates on your case. Some lawyers have complex screening systems you must go through before you ever reach the attorney. Or, you may call your lawyer and it takes weeks to hear back from them. When you have a child custody emergency or other urgent matter in your case, this simply does not work. Make sure your attorney is easy to get ahold of, and that your phone calls and emails are returned in a timely fashion.

Your Own Comfort Level

You and your divorce lawyer will discuss some of the most personal details of your life, so you must feel comfortable with them. During the initial consultation is the time to determine if you are comfortable with the lawyer, and the lawyer will also determine if your case is a good fit for their firm. Any time you are not comfortable with your lawyer, you should find another one that you think is right for you.

Call Our Illinois Divorce Lawyers for Your Free Consultation

If you are considering divorce, or the process has already started, our Geneva divorce lawyers at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio are here to help. We have the experience necessary to negotiate with the other side, and will always keep you informed about important updates on the status of your case. Call us today at (630) 920-8855 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=6000000&SeqEnd=8300000