There are many family law cases, including divorce, separation, adoption, paternity, child support, division of property, child custody, and modification of orders. Each case is unique, and many overlap within the same case. It is important when selecting an Oklahoma City family law attorney that you ask relevant questions to ensure that they have the skills and experience to effectively represent your case. That way, you can find the most beneficial outcome for your family.
Any attorney expects you to ask questions during a consultation or initial meeting. A family attorney knows that this case is incredibly important to the future of your family and how you navigate your daily life. You need to find a quality attorney for your family law case, and that means making sure they understand your needs and can clarify any of your confusion about the situation.
Questions to Ask an Attorney
Each attorney and firm has unique experience in family law and legal cases. Some qualities that you want to understand about your attorney and their firm include:
- How much experience do you have in family law? It’s important that an attorney you work with primarily focuses on or has significant experience in family law, especially in the area of family law that you need assistance in. A more experienced attorney will likely be able to manage your case more successfully and find a solution more quickly.
- Who else may work on this case? What is their experience? Family attorneys and law firms frequently have a legal team and professional resources that they will use during your case. It is important to understand these resources and the benefits they provide.
- Have you worked on cases like mine before? You want to ensure that the attorney not only has general experience but experience relevant to your needs. If you are getting a contested divorce through litigation, dealing with a contentious custody battle, or dealing with another situation, you want to know that the attorney can navigate that process. Although each case is unique, there are some legal actions and solutions to problems that may overlap.
- How responsive are you to calls and emails? You want to ensure that your attorney will be available to respond to and answer questions, concerns, or sudden changes in a timely manner. Understanding their availability hours can also help you choose an attorney.
- How do you charge? How will you likely charge my case? Attorneys and firms have different legal fees, depending on their own policies and the type of case you have. More complex or litigated cases will be charged higher, and a longer process will further increase the costs. An attorney should present pricing and fees in an initial meeting or consultation, and you should be sure to fully understand the costs of your case before you begin.
These questions can help you get a general overview of the attorney and their policies.
Questions to Ask About Your Case
You also want to ask questions that are specific to your family law case, your wishes, and what you can expect from legal representation for your unique case. These include:
- How do you anticipate my case going?
- What challenges do you expect in my case?
- How long do you think my case will take?
- What do I need to prepare for meetings with you or court proceedings?
It’s important to compare consultations or meetings with several attorneys to get a more informed understanding of your situation, how it may go, and how different attorneys would recommend handling it. Unfortunately, even experienced attorneys may be unable to reach your ideal outcome for a family law case.
FAQs
Q: What Are Two Questions One Should Ask of Their Attorney?
A: Two of the most important things you should ask a potential attorney are:
- What is your experience in this area of law and cases like mine?
- What are your attorney fees and the likely cost of my case?
You want to work with an attorney who has significant experience with your type of case, as they can be better equipped to navigate the proceedings efficiently and successfully. It is important to know in advance what you may be charged for a case, as that allows you to ensure that you can afford legal services throughout the process.
Q: What Questions Do Lawyers Ask Their Clients?
A: When you have a consultation or first meeting with a family law attorney, they will want to understand your situation and needs in depth. They may ask questions about your family’s situation and your type of family law case. If you are getting a divorce, an attorney may ask if you and your spouse have lived separately, if there are any marital agreements, whether you have children, and about your marital assets. An attorney may also ask about legal actions you have already taken, financial matters, real estate ownership, and what your goals are for your case.
Q: At What Age Can a Child Refuse Visitation in Oklahoma?
A: There is no age when a child can refuse visitation legally because a child can only make their own decisions about where they live if they are 18 years of age or emancipated. However, it can be very hard for parents to get a child to follow a visitation schedule or parenting plan if the child doesn’t want to. The child’s preference does have some impact on custody proceedings, although the child’s interests take priority over their preference. If a child refuses a visitation schedule, custody may need to be modified or enforced by the court.
Q: What Qualifies a Parent as Unfit in Oklahoma?
A: When a parent is found to be unfit, it means that they have shown themselves to be incapable of providing for a child’s basic needs and emotional support. Circumstances that may result in a parent being found legally unfit by the family court include:
- Child neglect
- Child abuse
- Domestic violence
- Untreated and repeated substance abuse
- Untreated and severe mental illness
- Criminal actions
If a parent has the physical and financial ability to provide for a child’s needs of food, shelter, and clothing, yet fails to do so, they may be found unfit.
Contact Stange Law Firm
An attorney can help your family law case be less stressful and resolved more favorably. However, it’s essential to have an experienced, compassionate, and skilled attorney. Contact Stange Law Firm today to learn how we can help with your case.
