General Family Law FAQs - Levitt Family Law and Mediation, LLC

Family Law
General Frequently Asked Questions

Many of our clients have never needed a lawyer before, or certainly not a divorce or family law attorney. In order to make you feel more at ease, here are some frequently asked questions to help you feel more prepared when you meet a family lawyer at Levitt Family Law & Mediation.

How do I prepare for a consultation with a family law attorney and what do I bring?

In meeting with a family lawyer for the first time, think about what the issues are and what your goals are in terms of the outcome for you and your family, so that you can share that information with the family lawyer. The meeting generally takes approximately 90 minutes. During the meeting, the lawyer will ask you to tell your story, and ask questions to gather information from you, in order to provide you with legal information and advice at the first consultation.

It is not necessary that you bring any documents to the first consultation, and if you have no documents or choose to bring none, it will not prevent you from having a consultation with the attorney. However, it can be helpful if you do have documentary information with you or if it is accessible to you, that you be prepared to share it with the attorney. It can be as simple as bringing a written list of your assets and liabilities and those of the other party regardless of in whose name, and the estimated values of those assets and liabilities, to make the meeting more efficient. It can also be helpful to bring copies of any documents that might be relevant to your case. These can include a recent paystub for each party, last year’s tax return personal and business, and the most recent statements for any bank accounts, retirement plans, or other financial assets in either your name or the name of the other party. If there are any outstanding court orders or a divorce or other agreement it can be helpful to provide those as well.

What information will you need when I call to make an appointment?

When you call to make an appointment, generally a short intake will be done over the phone, making sure there are no conflicts of interest that would preclude us from meeting with you. Let us know what days/times of the week generally work for you for an appointment, and how best we can contact you to confirm an appointment. If we are unable to meet your needs or provide you with an appointment for any reason, we may be able to provide you with an appropriate referral.

How are legal fees and retainers determined?

We determine legal fees and retainers based upon what services you require, and the complexity of the case.

What is a fee agreement?

A fee agreement is a written contract between the family law attorney and the client that defines the terms of the representation including fees. The agreement is signed by both the lawyer and the client.

What is the best way to communicate with the attorney?

We work with you to find the best way for us to communicate together. During the initial consultation with the family law attorney, it is a good idea to discuss this so that we can determine the most effective and efficient means of communication.

What is the role of support staff at the family law firm?

The support staff is the bridge between attorney and client, and an important part of the office and how we serve you.

How do I make an appointment?

The best way to make an appointment is to call the office directly, so we can do an intake, determine your needs, whether there are any conflicts of interest, and then schedule a time for the initial consultation.

Is there a consultation fee?

Yes. A consultation fee is generally charged at a rate less than the usual hourly rate.

Do I need to have a divorce lawyer or family law attorney who is close to my home or place of work?

In choosing an attorney, geographic area has become less important. Much of our work is done by phone or email or virtually by videoconferencing such as Zoom. Some clients do prefer divorce lawyers or family law attorneys close to home or work; however, there are also clients who specifically choose a lawyer not in their local community or near work. We do sometimes travel to other locations outside of our office to meet clients and are open to discussing with clients geographical considerations that might relate to convenience and/or cost. For example, we might consider when scheduling a meeting with parties and counsel, what geographic location is the most cost effective for everyone to meet. In today’s “virtual” world, geography is no longer a barrier when choosing a divorce or other family law attorney to work with.

We represent clients in Massachusetts, throughout Middlesex County and portions of Essex County and have clients in Wellesley in Norfolk County. These include clients who live or work in the Lowell, Chelmsford, and Westford metropolitan areas and including but not limited to towns such as Billerica, Reading, Dracut, and Littleton; the greater Merrimack Valley communities including, but not limited to Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill; the Concord-Assabet Valley region including but not limited to Acton, Carlisle, Concord, Sudbury, and Lincoln, the metro-west areas including Arlington, Bedford, Burlington, Cambridge, Lexington, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, and Woburn.

How do I understand the differences between mediation, settlement counsel and Collaborative Law and how do I choose the best process for me?

Our website is designed to assist you in understanding the different paths you can take, and how we work with a client within each path including mediation, acting as settlement counselor, and being your attorney in Collaborative Law. When you meet with us, after hearing your story and gathering your information, we will discuss your options to assist you in choosing the path that feels best for you and your goals.