5 Essential Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Michigan Divorce Attorney

When you find yourself facing down the barrel of divorce, you probably aren’t in your right mind. Whether you’re the instigator or you didn’t see it coming, you might be overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anger, loss, guilt, embarrassment, and despair.

In other words, you probably aren’t thinking clearly and rationally, and this can cause you to make poor decisions concerning your future. A qualified and experienced divorce attorney can guide you through the process and help you to settle your divorce efficiently, with the least amount of disruption to your already upended life.

However, you do need to exercise some amount of due diligence when it comes to selecting the right attorney to handle your Michigan divorce. Here are a few questions you should ask when interviewing potential attorneys for your case.

1. How does the process work?
There are several steps involved in any divorce proceedings in the state of Michigan, although the exact duration and process will depend entirely on the complexity of your case. Your divorce attorney can not only handle filing legal paperwork, but also apprise you of options like mediation (versus going to court) and guide you through every part of the process, including issues like dealing with prenuptial agreements, division of assets, and more.

2. Can I expect to receive or pay alimony?
In any divorce situation, courts may have to make a determination concerning alimony based on the duration of the marriage, the income of both parties, and the lifestyle each spouse has become accustomed to, among other things. Your divorce attorney can help you to figure out whether you will pay alimony, receive alimony, or perhaps even avoid the issue altogether.

3. Can you help with child custody?
Most family law firms offer services not only for divorce proceedings, but also child custody. However, it’s always best to ask ahead of time to make sure you can get all of the services you require.

4. How will marital assets be split?
There are a lot of factors involved in determining who gets houses, cars, bank accounts, businesses, and other marital assets during a divorce. In most cases, there is some negotiating involved, and your lawyer can help to carry out these negotiations with your spouse’s attorney, as well as advise you on how to proceed.

5. What is the cost?
In divorce proceedings, what you receive from a settlement between you and your spouse can hinge on the expertise of your attorney. However, it’s important to understand the costs for services up front. Do not hesitate to ask prospective divorce attorneys about fees, as well as what you can do to minimize them, so that you can preserve as much of your settlement as possible for your own future needs. A good firm will try to help you resolve your divorce as quickly as possible.

When you need a qualified Michigan divorce attorney, rely on the expertise of The Gucciardo Law Firm. Call us today at (248) 723-5190 to set up a consultation and begin the next phase of your life.