08/20/2026
Of course, you should understand hourly rates, retainers, and who will work on your case. But a consultation with a divorce attorney should tell you much more than that.
You’re hiring someone whose judgment you’ll rely on for decisions about your children, finances, property, and future. So use the consultation to learn how that lawyer actually thinks.
Do they identify weaknesses in your case, or simply tell you what you want to hear to try to get your business?
Do they know what they still need to learn before giving you advice? Can they create a plan to obtain and preserve evidence?
Can they explain when negotiation makes sense, and when it may be time to go to court?
Do they think about the cost of a strategy along with its potential benefit?
And pay attention to the questions they ask you, too. A lawyer who is really trying to understand your case should have questions. Be cautious of someone offering certainty that hasn’t been earned.
The goal of a first consultation is not to solve your entire divorce in an hour. That would be impossible and irresponsible.
The goal is to leave with more clarity about your situation and a better sense of whether this is someone whose judgment you trust.
