San Diego Divorce Lawyer Blog
Are you going through a divorce? Trust the divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Doppelt and Forney, APLC to be there with you every step of the way. From child custody, child support, spousal support to division of assets and debts, we can help. Call today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced San Diego divorce attorney.
What should I expect at my consultation?
If you are thinking of hiring a lawyer to represent you in your divorce case, it is important to first schedule a consultation with the attorney. An in-person consultation is the best way to get to know your potential attorney, as well as the office and environment, understand how the process works, and make an informed decision.
The first step is to call the office. You will speak with an intake specialist, who will make sure our attorneys will be able to assist you with your legal matter, as well as schedule you for a time convenient for you. The intake specialist will listen to your concerns and legal goals, and notate them for the attorney to reference before your consultation.
Preparing for the consultation
In order for the attorney to provide you with as much information as possible, come prepared. To do this, take some time to gather information on you and your spouse’s assets, debts and income. If you are able to provide the attorney with accurate, specific information, the attorney will be able to give you much more realistic expectations in regard to spousal support, child support and more.
During the consultation
When you arrive at the office, you will be greeted and asked to fill out a “green sheet”. Many times, we are asked why we require the opposing party’s full name on the green sheet. In a divorce, there are two parties who often times have opposing interests. Because of this, we cannot represent both sides in a family law case, as it would be considered a conflict of interest.
Once the attorney has had a chance to look over the green sheet, he will meet with you in his office. From there, he will go over the role of an attorney and what you can expect. You will then be able to go over your case with him. He will listen to you and go over different strategies and techniques that will help protect your rights and obtain your legal goals.
While the initial consultation is free, your attorney will also discuss the fees associated with retaining his services. Depending on the complexity of the case, the retainer fee can range significantly. Only your lawyer can provide you with the retainer fee and hourly rate for the lead attorney, associate attorney, paralegal and office staff. This information cannot be provided over the phone by the intake specialist.
If you choose to retain your attorney at the consultation, you will be asked to sign and initial the retainer agreement. You will also be asked to make your retainer payment. Once the retainer agreement is signed and the retainer payment is accepted, your attorney will be able to start working on your case.
After the consultation
If after your consultation, you’d like more time to think about your options, that is no problem! We want you to feel like you are making the best, most informed decision. If you choose to retain after your initial consultation, please call the office. We will set an appointment for you to come to the office to retain, and then we will be able to start work on your case.
San Diego Divorce Attorneys You Can Trust
Call the top San Diego divorce lawyers at The Law Office of Doppelt and Forney, APLC to schedule your free consultation. You need an experienced divorce attorney on your side, fighting for your best interests. We serve clients throughout San Diego including Encinitas, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and neighboring communities.