Maybe you’re considering a divorce, or your spouse served you with a divorce complaint. Perhaps you need to address a child support or custody dispute. If any of these situations sound familiar, you need to consult a family law attorney. We know that it can feel intimidating to build trust with a lawyer when you’re already in the middle of a disruption to your family routines. But with such high stakes, hiring the right lawyer could be one of the influential decisions of your life.
Approaching your consultation confidently can help you make the right choice. Here are five key questions you should ask a family law attorney to help you move forward with clarity.
1. What Should I Bring to My Consultation With a Family Law Attorney?
When you schedule your initial consultation, be sure to ask what to bring. Based on the specific family law issue you’re inquiring about, we will ask for key information to help us best advise you. This usually includes any financial information you can gather.
When going through the divorce process, information about your finances will help us evaluate assets, debts, and property ownership. If you’re fighting for child support, we will use financial information to estimate how much child support you will potentially owe or receive based on New York State’s Child Support Standards Chart and other influential factors.
You should also bring a list of questions you might have. We want to demystify this process for your family as you go through this complicated time.
2. What Is the Potential Outcome of My Case?
While no lawyer can definitively predict what the outcome of your case will be, they can assess the likelihood of certain outcomes. So asking this question can help you understand the strengths and nuances of your case in a legal context. Keep in mind that even with a high degree of certainty, no attorney can ever guarantee the outcome of a case.
At the Cimino Law Firm, using our experience with previous clients and deep legal knowledge, we will assess the likely outcome of your case based on your situation. We want you to have realistic expectations, whether you’re fighting for child support or are starting divorce proceedings.
3. How Are Billing and Fees Structured?
Going through legal processes can feel emotionally and financially daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. You deserve to have an understanding of how much it will cost to hire a divorce lawyer.
The monetary undertaking of your case might not be so straightforward. Attorney fees and the cost of initial consultations are just one aspect of the expenses in a divorce or child custody proceeding. Another factor affecting the overall cost is whether the case used a mediation approach, is uncontested, or goes to court. Each of these paths involves different levels of time, complexity, and legal involvement, which can impact how much you end up spending overall.
At The Cimino Law Firm, we will clarify the cost of your initial confidential consultation when you schedule a meeting with us and outline billing expectations before you move forward. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible while fighting for what’s best for you and your family.
4. Can You Provide Testimonials From Past Clients?
Another way to build trust with a family law attorney is to ask for testimonials. You deserve to have a lawyer with a winning track record. But you shouldn’t have to take an attorney at their word. To that end, you should be able to access past clients’ success stories. A lawyer with a proven track record should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their success.
Michelle Cimino has decades of experience as one of the best divorce lawyers in Rochester, NY. And you can find testimonials from real clients who have worked with us on our website.
5. What Is Your Strategic Approach to a Case Like Mine?
Another question you should ask your family lawyer is what their approach is in a case like yours. We will work to unpack the details of your divorce, custody, or child support case. Then, we will determine if negotiation, mediation, or litigation is the most effective strategy.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation With a Family Law Attorney
If you’re beginning the divorce process or fighting a custody battle, you’re going to need a family law attorney who has your best interests at heart. At The Cimino Law Firm, we take the time to answer all your questions and help you understand how your attorney will advocate for you.
Our overall goal is to support you and your family with compassionate and skilled legal representation. We will fight to get you the best outcome that protects your assets, your children’s well-being, and your rights.
When you’re ready to take the next step, fill out our request form today to schedule a confidential consultation at our Webster or Rochester office.
