May 12, 2025
Choosing the right family law attorney or divorce lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during a challenging time. Regardless of the reason you need an attorney, whether you’re facing divorce, seeking child custody, or dealing with another family law issue, the attorney you choose can deeply influence the outcome of your case.
By coming to the consultation prepared and knowing what to ask a family law attorney before hiring them, you’ll gain the insight needed to select the right lawyer to handle your case.
This guide outlines the best questions to ask a divorce attorney or family law attorney before hiring, ensuring you feel confident and informed during your search. For each question, we've also included some follow-up questions you can ask to make sure you get all the information you need.
Knowing how to interview a family law attorney isn’t just about asking the right questions. It’s also about setting yourself up for a productive consultation. Before we get into our questions, here are some practical tips for your interview.
Prepare in Advance: Write down your main concerns and goals so you can communicate them clearly.
Bring Documentation: Bring court notices, financial records, or agreements that might help the attorney understand your case.
Take Notes: During the meeting, jot down key points and impressions to help you compare attorneys later.
Ask Follow-Up Questions: Clarify anything that feels unclear to ensure you fully understand the attorney’s responses.
Trust Your Instincts: Pay attention to how the attorney makes you feel. Do they listen attentively? Answer thoughtfully? Show empathy? Feeling comfortable is essential.
Sensitive family law matters require an attorney with experience in situations similar to yours. This question helps ensure they’ve handled comparable cases and can anticipate challenges while tailoring strategies to your needs.
Follow-up questions:
How many similar cases have you handled?
What were the outcomes?
Every attorney has a unique style of handling cases. Some prioritize collaborative solutions like mediation, while others may lean toward litigation. Their approach can significantly affect how your case progresses. It’s important to work with someone whose approach aligns with your goals, whether you want to minimize conflict or feel confident your case will be prepared for court proceedings.
Follow-up questions:
Do you focus on collaborative solutions or litigation?
What percentage of your cases are settled compared to those that go to litigation?
How do you typically resolve cases like mine?
What is your opinion on alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation?
Related: What to Expect During a Consultation
You might not always work directly with the attorney you meet. Oftentimes, they pass on the bulk of the work to paralegals or junior attorneys. Understanding who will manage your case ensures clarity about communication and the level of personal attention you can expect.
Follow-up questions:
When might you delegate parts of my case to a paralegal or other attorney at your office?
If you delegate parts of my case, can I meet the team members assisting you?
How do you ensure quality control and consistency when working as a team?
Legal fees can add up quickly, so you need to understand the costs of your family law case upfront. Transparency about fees and billing practices helps you budget effectively and avoid financial surprises. In addition, an attorney’s willingness to discuss costs openly builds trust.
Follow-up questions:
Do you charge hourly or a flat rate?
Is a retainer required?
Are there additional costs, such as court filing fees or expert witness fees?
How will I be billed, and what payment methods do you accept?
How we can work together to keep costs associated with my case down?
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Understanding the potential outcomes of your case, such as the allocation of property in a dissolution, child custody modifications, spousal or child support obligations, should be clearly explained by the family lawyer or divorce lawyer. The journey ahead may be turbulent and you need to prepare emotionally and financially. A compassionate attorney will provide an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges that may arise and best-case scenarios.
Follow-up questions:
What are the most likely outcomes that I should anticipate for the issues in my case?
Are there any specific obstacles we might face?
How long do you think my case will take to be resolved?
Ideally, your case will be resolved outside of court, as many family law cases tend to be. In some cases, however, litigation becomes necessary and you’ll want an attorney with strong court experience. Understanding their courtroom experience and their approach to preparing for litigation ensures you will be working with a skilled advocate that is prepared to represent your interests effectively should the need arise.
Follow-up questions:
How often do you appear in court?
Are you familiar with local judges and court procedures?
How do you prepare clients for court appearances?
For more information on local courts, visit the Oregon State and Washington State court directories.
You don’t want to rely exclusively on what the attorney has to say about themselves. Hearing about other clients’ experiences can offer reassurance and give you a clearer picture of what working with the attorney will be like. Positive feedback from past clients builds trust and confidence in your choice.
Follow-up questions:
Are there online reviews I can check?
Have you received any awards or recognition for your work in family law?
Resolving family law matters can be stressful but staying informed can help reduce some of the stress. You want to ensure that the attorney will keep you in the loop, even when progress is slow. In addition, when deciding what to ask a family law attorney before hiring them, remember to ask about their communication style to check if it aligns with yours.
Follow-up questions:
How often will I hear from you about my case?
Will you provide updates even if there’s no significant progress?
What is your process for handling client questions or concerns?
What form of communication do you prefer for keeping clients informed? (E.g., email, phone calls, in-person meetings)
This open-ended question allows the attorney to highlight their strengths, such as expertise, client service philosophy, or unique qualifications. It’s a chance for them to explain what sets them apart. Taking a look at their featured cases can also give you insight into whether or not they’re equipped to handle your case.
Follow-up questions:
What sets you apart from other family law attorneys?
Do you have special training or certifications?
What do your clients appreciate most about your services?
How do you ensure personalized attention for each case?
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Selecting a family law lawyer is a deeply personal decision that requires thought, care, and preparation. The 9 questions to ask family law attorneys we’ve presented here can help you find an attorney who not only has the legal expertise you need, but also genuinely cares about your goals and well-being and is the right fit for your personality.
Take your time to schedule consultations with multiple attorneys to find the best match. With the right preparation and a clear understanding of your priorities, you can move forward confidently and secure the expert help you deserve.
If you would like to do some more reading before your consultation, the ABA Family Law Section offers additional resources to help you understand family law matters.
