Frequently asked questions

Please call our office and tell the receptionist the basic nature of the issues you are dealing with and she will connect you with someone that can discuss your issues with you and/or set up an appointment for a more in-depth discussion. Even if you are not ready to get started with filing for a divorce or legal separation at this time, there are many things to think about and consider in the days, weeks, or months leading up to filing an action that can put you in the best position.

Can I get a divorce without an attorney?

Yes, you may proceed with any and all family law related matters without any attorney, what we call: pro se. You can consult with one of our attorneys about your issues at any phase of the proceedings and still continue to represent yourself in court. At any point that you feel the complexity of the issues, or the expertise required would best be handled through an attorney, we can be ready to appear and handle some, or all, of the pending issues.

How much does it cost to get a divorce?

This question is virtually impossible to answer. The fact patterns and issues in every divorce – or any family law case – are so different and varied that there is no such thing as a “standard or straight-forward” divorce. We evaluate each situation and will require some amount for an advance fee deposit before taking on your case and/or appearing before the court. We bill our time in family law cases on an hourly basis. The hourly rate varies from firm to firm and area to area. Our hourly rates are based upon the level of experience of our attorneys and are reasonable within our community. You may discuss the advance fee deposit amounts and the hourly rate with the attorney you speak with about setting up an appointment.

Can I meet with a firm attorney without having to come up with a large advance fee deposit?

Yes, we will gladly sit down with you and consult with you about your case/issues and charge you for our time and advice either on a hourly basis, or some other flat-fee arrangement. Once we have set up a file and established an attorney-client relationship, we will be available to you to consult with you on an as-needed basis. Thereafter, any time that you would like us to appear in your case, we would require a further discussion about arranging and paying an advance fee deposit.

If my spouse and I have reached an agreement in settlement of the issues in our divorce, can we hire one attorney to draft the paperwork?

While it would be a conflict of interest for one attorney to represent both parties in a divorce case, it is a common practice for one of the parties to hire an attorney to do the drafting of the paperwork and to ensure that proper technical and procedural aspects of the case are addressed, and for the other party to be unrepresented. If all, or substantially all, of the issues in your case are resolved, the paperwork can be put together by our office, as your attorneys, and presented to your spouse for consideration and review. We always advise the unrepresented spouse to take the time to review everything with an attorney of their choosing. Whether they actually do that is their choice and up to them. Normally in these types of cases, all of the paperwork is prepared, reviewed and signed off by both parties. Then the original starting documents are filed with the court, while the final agreed paperwork is held in the attorney’s file until the minimum 90-day waiting period expires and then the attorney takes the final papers – without the need for participation by one of the parties – to court and has the divorce finalized. Both you and your now ex-spouse will be notified of the finalization of the divorce and provided with conformed copies of the papers.

Can we hire one of the firm attorneys to arbitrate/mediate any disputes between my ex-spouse and me?

Most of our attorneys have many years of experience in various emphasis areas in the law. Aside from mandatory arbitration and mediation cases under local court rules, where we are assigned by the Court to hear a matter, we are ready, willing and able to help you expedite your proceedings by acting as a privately hired mediator or an arbitrator on any phase of your case. In the family law area, this most often arises in a post-decree scenario under the terms of the alternative dispute resolution section of a current parenting plan. We are, however, also available to come in at any point in your case to help resolve and settle cases and/or specific focused issues.

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Estate Planning / Probate

If I need a Will or other estate planning services, how do I get started?

Advance preparation is the key to effective estate planning so that your assets will be handled and your loved ones will be cared for in the manner that you desire. The first step is to prepare a list of all the assets and liabilities you have. Next, you will want to make a list of people that you want to share in your estate. Please give us a call with any questions and/or to set up an appointment so that we may sit down with you and discuss all the options, and ensure that your estate planning goals are met.

I am having surgery and was told I need a Health Care Directive or Medical Power of Attorney. What is that and do you provide that service?

A "health care directive" lets your physician, family and friends know your health care preferences, including the types of special treatment you want or don't want at the end of life, such as your desire for resuscitation and artificial nutrition and hydration. By considering your options early, you can ensure the quality of life that is important to you and avoid having your family "guess" your wishes or having to make critical medical care decisions for you under stress or in emotional turmoil.

A “medical power of attorney” gives a specific person or persons the authority to choices for you should you be incapacitated or unable to make decisions on your own with regard to your medical care. You select who should handle your health care choices and discuss the matter with them. You could name a spouse, relative or someone else.

Our attorneys are very familiar with both forms and with a little bit of information from you, can prepare either of these types of documents fairly promptly.

My mother just passed away. How do I know whether a probate is needed to take care of everything?

Whether a probate is needed or not depends upon the nature of the decedent’s estate. Please call our office and we can review the assets and liabilities of the decedent with you and advise you as to whether you need to probate the estate or if other options are available.

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Please call us at 360.533.2865 or email us at izglaw@izglaw.com!

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