Modern Law Attorney Billie Tarascio walks you through the steps to finding an attorney the right way. This is part of a video presentation on the mymodernlaw.com website, as well as a transcript to help you determine the best course of action for your situation.

1. FINDING AN ATTORNEY
Finances Information
to Collect
Communication
Style
Resources
MYMODERNLAW.COM
Questions
To Ask

2. THE DIVORCE
ROADMAP

3. MOVE FORWARD WITH
THE END IN MIND
1
ASSESS YOUR
GOALS AND
RESOURCES
2
PLAN YOUR
FINANCES
3
PLAN FOR
CUSTODY

4. CREATE YOUR OUTCOME
4
ASSESS YOUR
BALANCE SHEET
5
PROTECT
YOURSELF
6
ASSEMBLE
YOUR SUPPORT
TEAM

5. Sometimes. If your situation is
simple and there are few
problems to resolve.
Start with a comprehensive
consult to assess
CAN YOU DO
THIS WITHOUT
AN ATTORNEY?

6. PREPARE • ASK • BRING PAST
PAPERWORK OR RECORDS

7. ASK THESE QUESTIONS
Who will work on my case?
Are my goals realistic?
What are your average fees for cases like
mine?
What does your fee include?
How will we solve these problems?
How long will it take?

8. You'll want to know their
training and experience, and
how many cases they've
handled.
WHAT IS THE
ATTORNEY'S
TRACK
RECORD?

9. Get a ballpark figure on the cost.
You don't want surprises when
the bill comes, so ask first.
Like...what the fee includes, how
often will a bill come, and
whether the attorney has a
policy on costs to communicate
by phone, email, etc.
WHAT ABOUT
BILLINGS?

10. GET PLENTY OF DETAILS
HOWLONGWILL
ITTAKETOWAIT
FORAN
APPOINTMENT?
CAN WE
TALK AFTER
I'M OFF OF
WORK?
WHAT
PROBLEMS
DO YOU
FORESEE?

11. DO WE LITIGATE OR SETTLE?
HOW WILL YOU
ACCOMPLISH MY GOALS?

12. STUFF TO BRING TO A CONSULT
Is there a case #?
Pending hearings?
Existing decree?
IV-D case?

13. Be prepared to
share all the
details. They may
make a
BIG DIFFERENCE
in what your
attorney can do

14. THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
BEFORE THE CONSULT
Religious differences?
Disagreements?
Residence Status?
Criminal History?
Business
involvements?
Property out of state?
Know ALL the accounts?
Pending lawsuits?
Pending move?
Is one of you financially
dependent on the
other?

15. EXCUSES FOR
PUTTING IT OFF

16. WHY PEOPLE PROCRASTINATE
INTIMIDATED,
SCARED
STRESSED
OUT
CAN'T
AFFORD IT
"I don't want to do this."
"Lawyers are scary."
"I can't talk to a
stranger about my life.
I'll fall apart."
"How will I keep my
spouse from finding
out before I'm ready?"

17. Attorney did not inspire confidence
Attorney was not attentive/didn't care
You just didn't click
Attorney was disorganized
You didn't understand him/her
Calls not being returned
Not sure about charges
FIND A NEW
ATTORNEY IF...

18. THE DETAILS
Retainer?
Written
agreement for
work?
Advance
charges?
Billied hourly?
Courtroom
rate vs office?
Charges for
copies?

19. LAST THOUGHTS...
False assumptions about lawyers
can hurt you
You could get the short end of
the stick without help from
someone who can advocate for
you
Find someone who can tell you
what you don't know

20. MODERN LAW
THANKS YOU!
Questions? Drop by MyModernLaw.com