What You Should Expect From Your Divorce Solicitor
From the day you hire him or her, you and your solicitor should have a clear understanding of what you will need and expect from each other. Ask for a written agreement that details the terms and length of your solicitor-client relationship. If he or she won't provide one, find another solicitor.
After learning about your case, your solicitor should create a strategy for your divorce. Be aware that this plan may have to change along the way depending on what your ex and his or her solicitor do.
Your solicitor should clearly explain all your options (again, these may change as your divorce progresses), offer advice regarding the best paths to follow, but respect your wishes if you strongly disagree with a course of action. If you find yourself in constant disagreement with your solicitor, either you've chosen the wrong person to represent you or you're being unreasonable. Take a close look at your motivations and actions to see if you're refusing your solicitor's advice for purely emotional reasons: for instance, you might be very angry with your spouse, and your solicitor's suggestion doesn't satisfy your desire for vengeance.
Recognize that even a good solicitor will sometimes have bad news for you: that your spouse won't budge on an important issue; that you'll have to give him or her money or other assets; or simply that your expectations are unrealistic, illegal, or not financially feasible.
You should expect your solicitor to return phone calls reasonably promptly (24 hours is reasonable if he/she's not on vacation), and to consult you before taking any major actions concerning your divorce.
You should also expect to feel frustrated or disappointed from time to time as your divorce progresses. Don't take it out on your solicitor! He or she isn't a magician and can't always pull a great solution out of his/her metaphorical hat.
Finally, if you want to ensure that your divorce agreement reflects your goals -- and don't cost you an arm and a leg -- then stay involved with the process, answering your solicitor's requests promptly, honestly, and completely.
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The goal of our firm is to provide honest, courteous and diligent representation while striving to keep your legal costs down and making the legal process as easy as possible on you.
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* In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or a proportion of any award or settlement.
The solicitors at Damian Nolan & Co.,
Solicitors (incorporating William A.
James & Co.)
have more than 40 years of combined experience
in the following areas of law:
Residential conveyancing, commercial conveyancing, family law, divorce, separations, child custody matters, personal injury*, business law, wills and probate, civil litigation*, employment law, defamation, civil litigation*
Telephone:
1-800-444 333 