#1. Correspond with Your Divorce Lawyer via Email Whenever Possible
Generally, most attorneys charge by the hour. It takes less time to answer an email than it does to return a call and have a conversation with you, meaning that you end up paying more to get the same information. When you can, use email correspondence as a primary means of communication with your Long Island divorce lawyer.
#2. Need to Call Your Divorce Lawyer? Prepare Your Questions Ahead of Time
Sometimes calling is just unavoidable. Keep the conversation on track by preparing the questions you have ahead of time, so you can easily go down the list of what you’d like to know and your attorney can answer each.
You could also consider arranging a call first via email and sending your lawyer a copy of the questions you plan to ask. This way, they can have the information about your case ready at the time of the call and aren’t spending time on the call looking for it. You’ll likely still be charged for the time it takes to do the research, but it’s typically more efficient if your lawyer can do it prior to the meeting.
#3. Come to Lawyer Meetings Prepared with Documents
If you’ve scheduled an in-person meeting with your lawyer, ask them ahead of time what documents you should bring. Obtain copies of these records in advance of your meeting, ideally even sending them to your attorney ahead of time, so they can review them before the meeting.
What you don’t want to do is meet with your lawyer to discuss what documents to gather, then meet with your lawyer again to read over them, and potentially again to discuss what they mean for your case. Instead, your in-person meetings should be spent talking about information you’re both already familiar with, so the time can be used to strategize solutions.
#4. Read the Fine Print of Your Divorce Lawyer’s Agreement
Before retaining a New York divorce lawyer or family law attorney, read the fine print of any contracts or agreements that you sign. Make sure your contract outlines how and when you can communicate with your lawyer within the agreed upon cost. Ask if there are any additional fees for paperwork, copy services, etc. and if you go beyond a certain threshold, if you will be charged an hourly rate.
Some people are under the misconception that discussing cost with an attorney is offensive or uncouth, but your lawyer would much rather be clear and upfront about what you both can do and how you can work together to achieve your goals.
#5. Hire a Knowledgeable Long Island Divorce Lawyer
The most important thing you can do is hire an experienced, knowledgeable divorce attorney to handle your case. An attorney that has been working with families for years is far more efficient with their time than a lawyer that just passed the bar exam.
This means that they’ll likely be able to do the work needed to process your case in fewer hours, reducing the overall end cost of getting a divorce. Ask your lawyer how many divorce cases similar to yours they have represented and out of those, how many were successful. You can also ask your lawyer how long their average case takes and/or how long they expect your case to take.
Call Hornberger Verbitsky, PC Today for a Consultation
Although getting a divorce is typically a difficult or unpleasant experience, the divorce attorney you choose to represent you can make the difference in how your case moves forward and ultimately, how much time and money you both spend on the case.
At Hornberger Verbitsky, PC, we have the skills and expertise to offer you comprehensive family legal representation for Long Island divorce cases, child custody and visitation cases, paternity, spousal support or alimony, and more. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation to discuss a strategy for upcoming divorce. Call now at 631-923-1910 or fill out the short form on this page and we’ll get right back to you to schedule your appointment at a time that’s convenient for you.
