Have you booked a consultation with a divorce attorney and have questions about what to expect during the consultation? What will you need to bring? Should you expect legal advice? Will the attorney review your documents? Will you receive guidance about what to do next? How much will representation cost?
Many Colorado divorce attorneys offer a free initial consultation while some charge an initial consultation fee for the meeting. Regardless if you are paying for a consultation or not, preparing to meet with a divorce attorney is important to make the best of your initial consultation. Below are some common questions we receive when meeting with clients as well as guidance that will help you prepare for your first meeting with an attorney.
- What should I expect during the initial consultation? As you prepare to hire an attorney you should expect to have a conversation that leaves you feeling confident in the attorney’s ability to represent you. At the initial consultation, our attorneys will want to review the facts of your case with you, review your goals, provide legal advice, and quote a retainer.
- What should I bring to the consultation? We suggest that you prepare a list of questions for the attorney to review and address with you as well as any initial pleadings that you may have received. Organizing your thoughts and file ahead of time will not only save you time but will ultimately allow you and the attorney to fully address many of your concerns during the initial consultation.
- Will I receive legal advice during the initial consultation? The answer to this question is, it depends. Depending on the attorney or law firm you meet with you may or may not receive legal advice from the consulting attorney. Many law firms in Colorado will only provide a brief meeting with a potential client, listen to their concerns, and quote a fee without providing legal advice or the next steps. At the Law Offices of Clifton Black, PC, our attorneys will provide general legal advice once they have reviewed the facts of your case with you as well as discuss the next steps.
- Will the attorney review my documents? Just like the answer above, the answer depends on the firm/attorney you are meeting with. While we may not have adequate time to fully evaluate your documents, oftentimes our attorneys will briefly review initial pleadings and answer any questions you may have.
- Will I receive the next steps? The attorneys at the Law Offices of Clifton Black, PC will advise you on the next steps should you need it. Often, we find clients are eager to proceed but just don’t know what to do next. That is why we believe in educating our clients and assisting them along the way.
- How much will my divorce cost? Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a clear answer except for, it depends on you and your case. A recent study conducted by Martindale-Nolo found that the average cost for a divorce in Colorado can range from $9,700 – $11,800 per party. Of course, this could vary based on the facts of your case. Factors that could increase your costs are:
- Experts
- Abuse
- Financial disputes
- Custody disputes
- Unrealistic expectations
- Multiple hearings
When you consider hiring an attorney, you will want to be fully prepared to have all your questions answered. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Clifton Black, PC will not only address the above questions with you, but we will also be prepared to discuss any other concerns you may have. Call (719) 328-1616 to book your ½ hour-free consultation today.
Counties serviced: El Paso, Douglas, Denver, Teller, and Pueblo County.