You and your divorce attorney are going to get to know each other well. You need to be confident that the divorce lawyer who represents is someone who you can communicate with effectively and feel comfortable discussing the personal details of your marriage.
It’s best to interview three to five lawyers before settling on a divorce attorney to represent you. If you are seeking a divorce in Northern Alabama, we hope you’ll include Leigh Daniel Family Law in Huntsville in your interviews.
Below we offer seven questions for you to consider before you engage an attorney. Please contact us for a longer conversation to discuss your concerns and questions.
- Experience
- Similar cases
- Local experience
- Communication
- Approach to settlements
- Protection strategies
- Fees and expenses
What Are The Questions To Ask Your Divorce Lawyer?
What is your experience and success rate in handling divorce cases?
Leigh Daniels has more than 20 years of experience as a family law attorney in Huntsville. She is also an author, inspirational speaker, and entrepreneur. Our skilled Huntsville family law attorneys have decades of combined experience standing up for our clients. Success to us means that, no matter how you felt when you walked into our office, you walk out feeling empowered and moving toward a more positive future.
How many similar cases have you handled, and what were the outcomes?
This is a very good question. Leigh Daniel has handled many divorces and is known for her courtroom skills. Every divorce has unique facts. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to family law cases. We give each client personalized attention and take the time to listen to their story and understand their hopes for the future. Then we plan and discuss with you a tailored approach to help you move forward.
Are you familiar with the local court system and have any experience working with the judges here?
Yes, attorney Leigh Daniel is known for her courtroom skill and knows the judges and court personnel of the 23rd Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Alabama. Many of our local circuit judges, from whom family court judges are assigned, have served as judges here for a decade or longer.
How do you handle communication with clients during the divorce process?
At Leigh Daniel Family Law, we strive to give our Huntsville family law clients all the information they need to feel confident during this difficult time in their lives. We can be reached by text, email, telephone, or office visits. We will keep you updated on every development in your case. You can trust that our doors are always open to discuss your questions or concerns. If you leave us a message, you won’t sit around long waiting for a returned call. We return texts, calls, and emails promptly – always within the day and sometimes within the hour – because we know your time is valuable and your case is important.
Can you explain your approach to resolving disputes and reaching a settlement?
Leigh Daniels is an advocate of positive change. When we get stuck on issues during divorce negotiations, we rely on informal negotiations when we can or the more structured assistance available in mediation or arbitration. Sometimes it’s just a matter of breaking up a complex issue into smaller parts. But when it comes to fighting for our clients, we will always fight for what is in the best interest of you and your family. We are aggressive in negotiations and in court. Leigh has been known to shred the opposing party on cross-examination.
Can you explain any specific strategies or tactics you may use to protect my rights and interests during the divorce process?
Our legal team strives to strike a balance between being compassionate when emotions are running high, sensitive when situations are delicate, and ferocious when our clients are not being treated fairly. When developing a strategy, first, we’ll lay out the facts, and then we’ll discuss what claims another party may be able to make against you. Then we’ll go through each of them and discuss the strategy we would use to advocate for your interests.
What is your fee structure, and how are expenses handled?
For an uncontested divorce with no children, we charge $750 plus court costs. For an uncontested divorce with assets in Huntsville, Alabama, our fee is $1,500. Our retainer for a contested divorce in Madison County runs between $3,000 and $5,000. Retainers are funds paid into a trust account, which we draw from as time is spent on a case. The more a case entails, the more it is going to cost. A flat fee for a divorce, where we estimate how much the fees are going to be and charge this amount rather than billing the client on a retainer, can range from $1,500 to $5,000 and beyond for extremely complex cases.
As a law firm that cares about the welfare of our clients, Leigh Daniel Family Law works with a third-party financing company to ensure that clients do not have to stress about payments on top of the stresses of divorce. The third-party financing company we utilize offers a platform with financing. Individuals with credit scores as low as 600 can be approved for financing options. Rates can be as low as 5.99%, with offer terms of up to 6 months. We also offer discounts for members of the U.S. Armed Services.
