Attorneys in Arizona and throughout the country may provide initial consultations either for free or for a nominal fee. During a consultation, you can learn more about an attorney’s track record, how much that person charges and how he or she would likely handle your case. Take a look at a few specific questions that you might want to ask during this initial conversation.
Find out if there are any other ways to resolve the matter
While litigation may be an effective way of resolving a legal matter, it might not necessarily be the best way to do so. An attorney may suggest settling a case outside of court through arbitration or mediation. Generally speaking, it takes less time and costs less money to resolve a dispute outside of court.
Ask about the possible outcomes in the case
An attorney cannot guarantee that you will receive a particular outcome in your divorce case. However, the person you are consulting may be able to provide a guess as to what might happen based on what he or she knows about the matter. Regardless of what you are told, it is important that a prospective legal adviser is honest and upfront when answering this question.
Learn more about the types of cases this person typically handles
It may be beneficial to hire an attorney who frequently works on the type of case that you are involved in. For instance, if you are planning on ending your marriage, it may be helpful to have someone who understands divorce law representing your interests throughout the legal process. You should also learn more about whether this person has a history of obtaining favorable outcomes for previous clients who have been involved in cases similar to yours.
Your family law attorney may work with you to obtain an outcome that meets the needs of yourself and your children. In some cases, legal counsel may suggest settling a divorce through mediation as it might lead to a more timely, affordable and amicable outcome.