What Questions to Ask Divorce Attorney at the First Meeting?

First talk money. Find out his retainer fee and hour fee thereafter. If it's not within your budget flee!

He might make it easier by laying the groundwork for you. He might ask why you are getting divorced, property or children involved, finances, etc.

Tell him exactly what you want out of this.

Good luck.

I am sorry you are going through this.
-Make sure you are listed as primary, custodial parent for your child.
-talk about fair 50/50 split of time in regards to your child. I am not a fan
of the new one week w/one parent then one week w/the other parent.
Too long away from the other one.
-If you are doing 50/50 child split, make sure you figure in holidays. For instance, Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. If that is not your day and you have an ex-husb that is unwilling to work 'with" you on things, plan for that now. Ask for that type of holiday to be alternated: this year w/you, next year w/dad etc. Same w/Easter, Christmas etc.
-Get copies of all statements, joint property deeds, taxes etc now.
-Make sure you discuss spousal support & child support.
I'm sorry you are going through this. Hang in there! Best wishes!

ask him his win rates. Thats what I would do, nothing worse than going into the proceedings with a SHITE lawyer.

When I divorced, I had no children, so perhaps things were easier. I did not even meet my lawyer until the day I went with him before the judge. Everything we did via email. First thing I emailed him was a long document with our 'assets' I guess and bank accounts and things that had montly payments
ie:
-2006 Ford F250 - monthly payments paid to Ford Motor Company
-2004 Chevy Blah - monthly payments paid to SO-n-So
- Savings Account ****567: balance $12.34
- Credit card account ***789
- Washer and Dryer - monthly payments made to So-n-so of $45. Total Balance as of 4/12/2012 is $1234.00

I wrote everything down that we had open and wrote who would take over what, and which accounts where in who's name. I let him sort out the mumbo-jumbo into laywer talk. But it was nice for me and the ex to see and agree in 'real person's talk' who would get what and who would take over what bills. We did not own a home at the time luckily.

I remember in my decree one part of it was what I'd like to change my name to, if indeed I wanted to. I took that paper with me to the DMV and SS office to change my name. So if you want to go back to maiden, make sure your laywer knows!

So sorry you're going thru this. I know it's not fun nor easy.