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Tough Questions To Ask When Searching For A Divorce Solicitor

By Jamie Simpson

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 21Feb2012
Word count: 474
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The decision to get divorced is never easy: emotionally, financially or in any other way. But once you're sure - or almost sure - it's the right option for you, one of the most important decisions you will make is about your legal representation. Here are five tough questions you will want to ask any prospective divorce solicitor

1. Do you specialise in family law, or is it only one area you offer in addition to others?
As the client, you're much better off with a specialist, who is more likely to have the experience and commitment to give you the service you need.

2. Do you offer a free initial consultation?
You should be able to give the solicitor a clear picture of your situation, and what you want and need, without being charged for it. This is likely to take about an hour. Be suspicious if the solicitor says it can be done in less time.

3. Do you accept legal aid clients?
This one is only relevant if you think you may be eligible for legal aid.

4. How much do you charge?
An obvious question, but not one to forget! Remember that solicitors with lower fees may not always give you best value. It's worth paying extra for a specialist who fully meets your needs.

5. What do you think is the ideal course of action in my circumstances?
It is often cheaper and better for you and your partner to temporarily put aside your differences and negotiate a settlement between you rather than going to court. Be wary of lawyers who are trigger happy with the litigation option: they may be more concerned with their fees than with your best interests! However, it's sometimes clear from an early stage that you're going to end up in court, in which case it's best to be upfront about that from the beginning.

Not everything can be covered by asking tough questions. One reason why the free initial consultation is so important is so that things like style and personality can be taken into account. Although your contact with your solicitor needs to be business-like and stick to the legal issues (there's no point in wasting money by spending time venting your emotions to them, though of course that does not mean to say that your emotions are not legitimate) you need to find someone you can trust, someone who feels right for you.

One good way to find a solicitor is personal recommendation. If you have a friend or relative who got what they wanted and needed out of a divorce settlement, ask them who their solicitor was and whether they were satisfied with the service they received.

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