If you live in or near Des Plaines, Illinois, it’s essential to know what to do and where you can go for help if you decide to end your marriage. Below is a list of some of the most important frequently asked questions to help you find the right attorney to represent you. In addition, many family law attorneys in the area provide consultations to prospective clients, providing you with an opportunity to interview potential attorneys to handle your divorce case.
Determine the Firm’s Experience Level
Focus on family law is arguably the most important quality you should assess when determining whether you should hire a particular firm. If you take advantage of a consultation offer, consider asking a few questions that can help you determine the firm’s experience level:
- “How long has your firm been practicing law?” Find out how long the firm has been practicing family law.
- “How much of your firm’s focus is on family law?” It’s vital to choose a firm that has extensive experience specifically handling family law cases.
- “How many family law cases has your firm represented individuals in?” Then, ask about the firm’s history of cases similar to yours.
- “How long has your firm been around?” The longer the firm has been around, the better.
It’s necessary to determine how much experience the attorney has with practicing law in general and how long they have focused on family law in Illinois. Each state upholds unique family law statutes, so you should strive to hire a family law attorney with a solid record of family law representation in the area.
Evaluate the Attorney’s Legal Strategies
A good family law attorney should provide client-focused representation. Every family law case is unique; therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach simply does not suit every client. Instead, consider asking the potential attorney a few critical questions about their legal philosophy and the strategies they are most likely to employ in handling your case:
- “Do you notice anything unique about my family law case?” Every family law case involves unique details, and a good attorney should quickly identify these factors in your case.
- “How do you plan on streamlining my case?” Good attorneys strive to make their clients’ experiences as painless and efficient as possible.
- “Do you recommend exploring alternative dispute resolution?” For example, mediation can help you settle a divorce much more quickly than standard litigation in family court.
- “How much time am I likely to spend in family court litigation?” Almost every divorce will entail some litigation, so ask the attorney what they expect to happen with your case.
These questions allow you to see how the attorney is most likely to approach your case. Skilled family law attorneys strive to deliver prompt and efficient results for their clients. For example, divorce can be efficiently handled in mediation as long as both spouses are willing to negotiate, which will save them both significant amounts of time and money in resolving their divorce. Therefore, your attorney should encourage you to take full advantage of divorce mediation to whatever extent your situation allows.
Ask for the Attorney’s Expectations for Your Case
One of the most critical stages of any legal consultation is determining the attorney’s impression of your case. A skillful attorney should quickly identify unique variables in play for a prospective client and provide them with reasonable estimates concerning various aspects of the case in question. Consider asking a few questions to gauge the attorney’s first impressions of your family law matter:
- “What is your expectation for my case result?” Asking for the attorney’s honest opinion of your case is an effective way to gauge their enthusiasm for representing you and your likelihood of securing a positive result.
- “How long do you expect my case to take to conclude?” Your attorney should be able to provide a reasonable estimate of how long you can expect your case to unfold.
- “Do you anticipate any need to return to court in the future for modification?” For example, complex family law orders could lead to disputes later. Ask your attorney if they see this potential for your case.
- “What unique issues do you notice with my legal position?” Your attorney should be able to highlight any areas of concern present with your current legal situation.
The attorney’s answers will help you develop your own timetable and list of expectations for your case. You should also ask additional questions that are specific to your situation. For example, if you are divorcing for a specific reason, such as domestic violence, ask the attorney what they can do to help you and your children remain protected throughout your divorce proceedings, such as securing protective orders or assisting you in taking advantage of social resources available to individuals in circumstances similar to yours.
Finding the right attorney to handle your Des Plaines, Illinois, family court case can help you approach this difficult situation with confidence and peace of mind. Before taking advantage of any consultation offers and choosing an Illinois family law attorney to represent you near Des Plaines, Illinois, take time to develop a list of questions that will help you determine whether an attorney is right for your case. Once you have your list ready, contact a skilled family law attorney to determine if they are the right representative for you.
