What to Ask Your Missouri Family Law Attorney During Your Divorce Consultation

One of the hardest parts of getting a divorce is finding an experienced Missouri family law attorney to represent your interests. You need to find someone you’re comfortable with and someone you can trust to argue on your behalf. That means scheduling an initial consultation and getting to know the attorney who may represent you. But what should you ask them during that consultation? Here are a few great questions to keep in mind.

How Much Experience Do You Have?

Though many newer attorneys are perfectly capable of representing your case, working with an experienced attorney instead can take a lot of the stress out of the process. The more experienced the attorney is, the more likely it is that they’ve helped people in situations similar to yours. That familiarity with your situation can make a huge difference in how they advocate for you. 

At Columbia Family Law, our attorneys have decades of experience helping people like you navigate the divorce process.

Do You Have a Track Record of Settling Out of Court

Though it’s likely that you’ll end up going to court at least once or twice as part of your divorce, you may not have to spend days on end worrying about what the judge’s determination will be. Great attorneys know that every situation is unique and, if you’re filing for an uncontested divorce, they should be able to explain what you can expect when settling most of your affairs out of court.

Have You Ever Worked for My Spouse?

Though it’s unlikely that the attorney you’re speaking with has worked for your spouse, it can happen. And if the attorney knows your spouse, there could be a conflict of interest. They may have an opinion about your spouse which could influence the way they treat your case. Always ask the attorney if they know your spouse and whether they’ve worked with them in the past. If the answer is ‘yes,’ you’ll likely want to keep looking. 

Do You Know the Local Judges?

Every judge treats certain cases differently. Knowing how each judge views certain situations and typically rules on cases can make it easier for your attorney to represent you well. Don’t hesitate to ask your attorney if they know the local judges who commonly hear divorce cases.

Will Anyone Else Be Involved in My Case?

Though your attorney will be doing the bulk of the work and will represent you in front of the judge, they may have others in their office helping on your case. This isn’t a bad thing—it just means you may want to meet those other people before you decide to work with the attorney. Make sure you’re comfortable with their support staff, their paralegals, their legal assistants, and of course the attorney themselves before you agree to work with them.

Let Columbia Family Law Help

If you’re considering a divorce, make sure you ask each attorney you speak with these questions. As long as you’re confident in their answers and feel comfortable with the idea of letting them represent your case, you’ll get the representation you deserve.

At Columbia Family Law Group, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.