Questions to ask a divorce lawyer before you hire one
A first consultation goes quickly. The most useful thing you can do is ask every lawyer the same questions and write the answers down, so you can compare them afterwards. Here are the questions that matter most.
Last reviewed: September 30, 2026 · VettedCounsel
Educational information, not legal advice. Written for the U.S. and Canada. Rules and official resources vary by state and province and change over time. Confirm anything important with the official source where you live or with a qualified lawyer. How we work.
How to use these questions
Pick the questions that matter to you, ask them in the same order in each consultation, and note the answers in the same place. A lawyer may reasonably answer differently depending on your situation. What you are listening for is a clear, specific answer that they are willing to put in writing.
Want the core questions on one page? Get the free consultation sheet by email.
Experience and focus
- What share of your practice is family law, and how long have you practiced it?
- How many cases like mine have you handled recently, for example with children, a business or a move?
- How often do you appear in the court that would hear my case?
- How do your cases usually resolve: by agreement, mediation or trial?
Who does the work
- Who would handle my case day to day, and who else might work on it?
- What are the rates for each person, and how is their work reviewed?
- Who would attend hearings or a trial?
Fees, retainer and billing
For the general picture, see how lawyer fees and retainers work and how to compare retainers.
- What is your hourly rate, and what billing increment do you use?
- How much is the retainer, where is it held, and what happens to any unused part?
- What happens when the retainer runs low?
- Which expenses are billed separately, and do large ones need my approval?
- How often will I be billed, and what detail will invoices show?
Communication
- How can I reach you, and how quickly do you usually reply?
- How will you keep me updated, and will I receive copies of important documents?
- Who covers my case when you are unavailable?
Approach and cost outlook
- Based on what I have told you, what are the main strengths and risks of my position?
- What might my case cost if it settles, and if it goes to trial?
- What is a realistic timeline in this court?
- What can I do myself to keep costs down?
Be cautious of anyone who promises a specific result. No lawyer can guarantee how a court will decide.
Before the consultation
Check that each lawyer is licensed, and look for public discipline, before you meet. In the U.S., use your state’s official lookup (how to verify a license). In Canada, use your provincial or territorial law society (check a lawyer in Canada).
Afterwards, compare
Within a day of each consultation, write a few words per topic for each lawyer: experience, who does the work, fees, retainer terms, communication, candor about risks, and how you felt about working together. There is no score. You decide which lines matter most.