If you are considering divorce, you may be looking for an experienced Illinois divorce lawyer to guide you through the process. When meeting with an attorney for an initial consultation, there are a number of questions you may want to ask before hiring the attorney so that you have a general idea of what you can expect, including what costs you may incur.
Attorney Billing Rates
For example, it is important to understand how attorney billing and miscellaneous fees will be handled during your case. Attorneys typically bill by the hour, so you will want to know the billing rate they charge and also the billing rate for any associates and paralegals who will be working on your case too.
Retainer for Legal Services
More often than not, an attorney will ask for a retainer, or lump sum, which they will deduct charges from as the case progresses. You will want to ask if a retainer is required and how much it is. At some point, you may exhaust the retainer so it is important to ask what happens at that juncture – an additional retainer may be required or an attorney may bill you month to month depending on the circumstances of your case.
Billing a Spouse for Divorce Representation
In some situations where a spouse brings in the income for the family, the other party may wonder if that spouse can pay for legal representation on their behalf. This is a valid question and you will want to ask the attorney what options are available for collecting the costs for legal representation and other fees from your spouse.
Miscellaneous Fees in a Legal Proceeding
Beyond direct attorney’s fees, you may incur expenses for court costs, process servers, expert witnesses, etc. Ask if miscellaneous fees are paid in advance, as you go, or when the case is settled. An experienced Illinois family law attorney will be able to provide you a ballpark figure on the various fees you can expect in your divorce case so that you have general idea of what to expect.
Contact an Experienced Illinois Divorce lawyer for Help
Every situation is unique and therefore it is fair to ask questions about an attorney’s experience handling a case like yours, what you can generally expect to happen and the costs you will incur during the process. Preparing a number of questions for your initial consultation will help you make an informed decision when seeking experienced family law representation. If you are considering an Illinois divorce, get the help you need today. Contact the Lake county Illinois family law attorneys of Schlesinger & Strauss LLC to schedule a free initial consultation at 847-680-4970.
