10 Questions to Ask a Divorce Lawyer Before You Hire Them

The 10 Questions

• 1.
  “How many divorce cases are you personally handling right now?” — If the answer is 50+, your case is going to get lost in the shuffle. You want an honest number, not a dodge.
• 2.
  “Will you be the one working on my case, or will it be handed to someone else?” — The bait-and-switch is one of the most common complaints in divorce law. Pin this down before you sign anything.
• 3.
  “What's your approach — do you lean toward settlement or litigation?” — Neither answer is wrong, but you need to know. An attorney who defaults to court is going to cost you a lot more than one who pushes for mediation.
• 4.
  “What's your retainer, and what does it actually cover?” — Some retainers cover everything. Some cover almost nothing and you start getting billed for extras immediately. Get this in writing.
• 5.
  “How do you bill for emails and phone calls?” — Some attorneys charge in 6-minute increments for every single communication. A quick “got it, thanks” email could cost you $50. Know the policy.
• 6.
  “What's your realistic estimate for the total cost of my case?” — Not the best-case scenario. Not “it depends.” Press for a range based on cases similar to yours.
• 7.
  “How quickly do you typically respond to client messages?” — If they can't give you a straight answer now, imagine how it'll be six months into your case.
• 8.
  “Have you handled cases with similar circumstances to mine?” — A lawyer who mostly handles amicable splits might not be the right fit for a high-conflict custody battle, and vice versa.
• 9.
  “What's the most common mistake your clients make?” — A good attorney will give you a thoughtful, specific answer. A bad one will give you a generic speech about “staying off social media.”
• 10.
  “Can I see reviews from past clients?” — If the answer is no — or if they seem uncomfortable — that tells you something. Lawyers who do good work aren't afraid of client feedback.