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Q&A: What to Ask Prospective Attorneys Before You Sign On |
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What, exactly, do you need to know before you hire a lawyer? Here are some questions you can ask before you write a retainer check or sign on the dotted line. |
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How many matrimonial cases have you handled? |
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How many of those cases went to trial? (An attorney who has done a lot of trials may not be a good negotiator. Keep that in mind, especially in instances in which the lawyer has not been in practice that long.) |
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How many of these cases involved custody, support, large financial settlements, or whatever issue feels like your major concern? |
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Where did you go to law school? (Don't ask if the diploma is staring you in the face.) |
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Do you have the time to take on a new case now? |
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Do you know my husband (or wife)? |
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Do you know his or her attorney? |
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Will anyone (usually an associate) be assisting you on my case? |
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What is his or her experience? |
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Can I meet the associate now? |
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What work would the associate do and what work would you do? |
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Which one of you will negotiate the case? (If you want to be sure that the lawyer you are seeing is the negotiator, make that clear. Just as you don't want an intern at a teaching hospital performing your quadruple bypass surgery, so, too, you don't want an inexperienced associate, especially one you haven't met, negotiating your divorce.) |
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Who will try my case? |
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Are you available to take phone calls? |
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Is the associate available to take calls? |
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What hours are you usually in the office? |
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