Questions to Ask Your Virginia Divorce Lawyer
You’ve made a smart decision by deciding to consult with an attorney to represent your interests in a Virginia divorce. The advice and counsel of lawyer will help you navigate the complex divorce laws and procedural rules governing these cases. The next step is to choose the right lawyer to handle your matter, as you want someone with the right education, background, and legal knowledge. Plus, you’ll want to understand how billing works and get an idea of what to expect throughout the process. When you sit down with an attorney to discuss your situation, make sure to ask a few key questions.
What is your experience in divorce cases?
You want an attorney that has an extensive background in working with divorce matters, as opposed to one that offers divorce representation as one of many other practice areas. Ask about years of experience, the number of cases over time, and determine how many the lawyer has actually taken to trial. Plus, inquire about what percentage of the attorney’s practice consists of divorce matters. If the number is low, this might not be the right fit for you.
What is your strategy for handling my divorce?
An experienced divorce lawyer should give some general idea of the approach for handling your case, based upon how the law applies to your specific circumstances. For instance, an attorney can tell you how child custody and support work in Virginia, and the factors a court will consider in awarding spousal maintenance. A responsible lawyer will not make absolute promises but should be able to give you a big picture for strategy.
How will I be billed?
It’s important to know up front the details of paying your attorney for taking your case, and for any other services related to representation. Typically, a divorce lawyer will charge an hourly rate instead of a flat fee, and there may be other fees related to paralegals and office staff. In addition, you can expect filing fees payable to the court.
An Experienced Virginia Divorce Attorney Can Answer Your Questions
These are just a few of the questions you’ll want to ask an attorney about representing you in a Virginia divorce, but there may be much more depending on your circumstances. The attorneys at Shannon & Associates, P.C. have extensive experience in handling divorce matters and are happy to answer any additional questions about your case. Please contact or call us at (757) 228-5529 for more information on divorce in Virginia.
