Divorce comes with a lot of emotions for many people. A lot is going on, and every party is at the height of their emotions. In that case, you may need to hire a professional to assist you in court. Knowing how to find the right professional to represent you through the court process is crucial to ensure you are making the right decision. So, when going through a divorce in North Carolina, you need to know the questions to ask and the red flags to look out for. You will meet various North Carolina divorce lawyers willing to help you. So, if you are meeting the professional for the first time, here are questions to ask and red flags to watch out for.
Will you be handling my case?
In some law firms, you will be given access to an experienced attorney during consultation. Once you are in business, the lawyer does not appear again. This may not be a problem for some individuals as long as they receive the best services. However, if you want to ensure you will work with the lawyer you met, you need to ask them if they will handle your case. Watch for a warning sign if the lawyer does not answer this question. They must know the in and out of the firm to know who will handle your case.
Do I have reasonable expectations?
As the client, you need to let the lawyer know what you intend to get after the case is resolved. Be clear on your goals and those most important to you. It is possible that you will not get everything you were expecting. However, the lawyer should communicate beforehand. Watch out for lawyers who promise particular results. The court system is unpredictable, and things can take turns.
Can you work within my budget?
A divorce case can cost a lot of money. It may be good to have a rough idea of how much it may cost you. However, you need to evaluate your case to know how much you need to do to resolve it. If the professional ignores this question and does not acknowledge if your budget is practical, you may end up paying more than you can afford.
How will you handle my case?
Divorce attorneys in North Carolina use different methods to resolve cases. The method they choose depends on the uniqueness of your situation. So, the lawyer may act as the child guardian, mediator, parent coordinator and arbitrator. So, you need to know how the lawyer will help resolve your case. Take it as a red flag if the lawyer only speaks about going to court. There are many ways to resolve a case before litigation. Therefore, if they insist on going to court without the attempt to solve it outside, drop the person.
Conclusion
The best way to have a good attorney-client relationship is to communicate your expectations and listen to their counsel. You must be upfront with your expectations and allow the lawyer to do their work.