Updated on August 24, 2022
If you are considering filing for divorce or have already initiated the divorce process, you probably have lots of questions on your mind. Many people have tons of questions about the divorce process prior to filing for divorce.
Scheduling a consultation with an experienced divorce attorney is one of the best ways to get all of your questions answered. Below are several questions you should ask a divorce attorney to understand your rights and know what comes next after filing an Original Petition for Divorce in Texas.
You should speak with an attorney to discuss your particular situation. Schedule a consultation with our Williamson County divorce attorney at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard by calling (254) 781-4222.
7 Questions to Ask a Divorce Attorney
Once you find a qualified and experienced Williamson County divorce attorney, it can be difficult to come up with the right questions to ask during a consultation. To help you get started, you can use this list of basic questions to ask a divorce lawyer during your initial consultation.
1. Where Do I Start?
When you call or meet with a divorce attorney to discuss your case, you may not know where to start. Simply saying “I want to file for divorce” doesn’t provide valuable information about your case. After all, divorce attorneys hear this phrase from prospective clients dozens of times per day.
For this reason, if you are not sure where to start, let the attorney lead the conversation. When your lawyer takes the conversation under their control, he or she can gather the necessary information about your case that will be helpful to answer your questions and explain your options.
2. How Much Will My Texas Divorce Cost?
In the vast majority of cases, it is impossible to estimate the exact cost of divorce. The amount of money you will spend to get divorced in Texas depends on a variety of factors, including whether the divorce is contested or uncontested and whether it involves children.
However, even though it is impossible to say exactly how much your divorce will cost, a knowledgeable and experienced attorney will be able to give you a rough estimate after hearing more about your case. If you are looking for an estimate for your divorce, contact a Williamson County divorce lawyer today.
3. How Can I Reduce the Cost of My Divorce?
The third question to ask a divorce attorney during a consultation is how you can make your divorce less expensive. While divorces are almost always costly, a skilled attorney can make it less expensive than it has to be.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of divorce in Texas is to resolve all—or nearly all—of the disagreements and disputes amicably. Your attorney can help you and your spouse reach an agreement to avoid costly and time-consuming court hearings and litigation.
4. What Are the Divorce Laws in Texas?
When getting a divorce, you should clearly understand all applicable state laws regarding the following matters:
The division of marital property, which can be one of the more complicated terms in divorce
Spousal maintenance, better known as alimony
Child support, if you have children
Child custody, if you have children
If you are filing for divorce in Williamson County or other parts of Texas, you should ask an attorney about the divorce laws in the Lone Star State. If you do not understand state laws regarding your divorce, you will not be able to reach a fair agreement. To learn more about Texas divorce laws, schedule a consultation with a Williamson County divorce lawyer.
5. What Should I Expect during My Divorce Case?
Once the divorce attorney learns more about your divorce case, he or she will be able to explain what you should expect to happen during your case. Each divorce case is unique, which is why the process differs from one case to another. However, most divorce cases follow a similar pattern:
One spouse files an Original Petition for Divorce.
The other spouse is served with the divorce papers.
The court may issue a temporary order while the divorce case is pending.
The parties and their attorneys gather the necessary information for their case.
The parties attempt to reach an agreement through negotiations or mediation.
If no agreement is reached, the parties go to court to let the judge decide their case for them.
6. How Much Do You Charge?
Divorce attorneys in Texas have different fee structures. Some bill their clients by the hour, while others have a fixed rate. During your first consultation with a lawyer, you should ask them about their fee structure and find out how much they charge for their services.
Attorneys are required to be transparent about their fees, which is why you have a right to understand how much your divorce attorney would cost you if you hired them.
However, you need to understand that attorney’s fees depend on the complexity of your divorce case. Generally, the longer it takes to finalize your divorce, the more you will have to pay your lawyer for their services. Not sure how long your divorce will take? Schedule a FREE case review with an experienced divorce lawyer.
7. What Are My Next Steps after This Consultation?
At the end of the consultation with a divorce attorney, you will need to have a clear action plan. For this reason, you should ask the lawyer what your next steps have to be to move forward with your divorce. You need to understand what to do whether you are ready to hire a divorce attorney immediately or want to take things slowly.
Your attorney may advise you to start gathering documentation and information for your divorce. Learn more about the kind of financial documentation you’ll need by reading “Texas Divorce: Your Financial Checklist.”
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Williamson County Divorce Attorney
If you are thinking about divorce, the best thing you can do is schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable attorney so you’re not left guessing. Speaking with an experienced lawyer can give you much-needed peace of mind.
During the consultation, you can learn more about your rights and options prior to filing for divorce in Texas. Get a FREE consultation with our Williamson County divorce attorneys at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard today. Call (254) 781-4222 or contact us online to get a case review.