If you’re searching for divorce lawyers to handle your separation, then you’ll want to gather as much information as you possibly can before meeting with potential people to hire. It’s important to be prepared. There’s a lot of different divorce lawyers out there and it’s crucial that you find one that is a good fit for specific circumstances and needs. Poor legal representation can have serious consequences. One of the best ways to gauge whether or not different divorce lawyers in Sydney are right for you is to ask lots of questions, this will help you to get a good idea of your solicitor’s experience, and how they might approach your case. If you’re looking for potential legal representation, then read on below to see some of the questions to ask divorce attorney on first visit:
How long have you been practicing?
This is an important question to ask because it gives you a good idea about the experience of potential divorce lawyers in Sydney. When dealing with a divorce or separation, experience is essential, especially if the situation is complicated or lots of emotion is involved. The more experienced your legal representative is the more confident they will be in navigating issues and representing your best interests. They’ll also have a depth of experience to draw upon when explaining to you what to expect and will have had plenty of experience in the courtroom. If you think your matter is going to see a fair bit of the court then its very important that your legal representative has spent plenty of time in front of the judge, bumbling in the court could be very costly, to you. You also need to know about the experience of anyone else who might be working on the case as well as who you should be talking to about matters related to your case.
What do you charge?
Getting a good understanding of your divorce lawyers in Sydney fee structure is very important. Do they charge and hourly rate or is it a fixed fee? Are there other charges for incidentals like phone calls, copies, postage and letters? Will there be charges associated with psychologists, private investigators or other experts? Are any additional expenses charged as a flat fee or are they also hourly? You should also ask whether they charge a retainer and if they can give you a ballpark on how much your case is likely to cost. Divorce lawyers in Sydney can be very expensive so it’s important to get as accurate an idea as you can about the likely cost of your case to ensure you don’t blow the budget.
What are the laws in my state?
The are different laws and rules in regards to separation throughout the different states of Australia so it’s important that you get a good understanding about the rules and processes involved where you live. Speak to your legal representative about how to begin proceedings and how issues like child custody and support are addressed. You should also ask about how financial matters and agreements are managed and what to expect if you do have to go to court. It’s also good to get an understanding of approximately how long it will take to manage the process and what the general timeline will be before your divorce is finalised.
What do I need to do to protect myself?
Before you end your meeting with a legal representative you should ask them about what you should do to ensure you are properly protected. They should be able to provide you with advice on issues like joint bank accounts based on their experience.
