Boston Divorce Attorneys

Client Rights & Responsibilities

• Client Rights
• Client Responsibilities

Client Rights

1. You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times by your lawyer and the other lawyers and personnel in our offices.
2. You are entitled to a divorce lawyer capable of handling your legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the profession.  If you are not satisfied with how your matter is being handled, you have the right to withdraw from the attorney-client relationship at any time (the approval from a Probate and Family Court Judge may be required in some matters and your attorney may have a claim against you for the value of services rendered to you up to the point of discharge).
3. You are entitled to your attorney’s independent professional judgment and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts of interest.
4. You are entitled to be charged a reasonable fee and to have your lawyer explain at the outset how the fee will be computed and the manner and frequency of billing. You are entitled to request and receive a written itemized bill from your attorney at reasonable intervals. You may refuse to enter into any fee arrangement that you find unsatisfactory. You are entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed in a prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned promptly.
5. You are entitled to be kept informed as to the status of your matter and to request and receive copies of papers. You are entitled to sufficient information to allow you to participate meaningfully in the development of your matter.
6. You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives respected by your attorney, including whether or not to settle your matter (in some cases, court approval of a settlement is required).
7. You have the right to privacy in your dealings with your lawyer and to have your secrets and confidences preserved to the extent permitted by law.
8. You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself or herself ethically in accordance with the Massachusetts Rules of Conduct.

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Client Responsibilities

1. The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the lawyer’s staff with courtesy and consideration.
2. The client’s relationship with the lawyer must be one of complete candor and the lawyer must be apprised of all facts or circumstances of the matter being handled by the lawyer even if the client believes that those facts may be detrimental to the client's cause or unflattering to the client.
3. The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to with the lawyer, in accordance with law.
4. All bills for services rendered which are tendered to the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should be paid promptly.
5. The client may withdraw from the attorney-client relationship, subject to financial commitments under the agreed to fee arrangement, and, in certain circumstances, subject to court approval.
6. Although the client should expect that his or her correspondence, telephone calls and other communications will be answered within a reasonable time frame, the client should recognize that the lawyer has other clients equally demanding of the lawyer’s time and attention.
7. The client should maintain contact with the lawyer, promptly notify the lawyer of any change in telephone number or address and respond promptly to a request by the lawyer for information and cooperation.
8. The client must realize that the lawyer need respect only legitimate objectives of the client and that the lawyer will not advocate or propose positions which are unprofessional or contrary to law or the Massachusetts Rules of Conduct.
9. The lawyer may be unable to accept a case if the lawyer has previous professional commitments which will result in inadequate time being available for the proper representation of a new client.
10. A lawyer is under no obligation to accept a client if the lawyer determines that the cause of the client is without merit, a conflict of interest would exist or that a suitable working relationship with the client is not likely.
    

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Because of the long-reaching implications of a divorce, one of the best things to do is get competent and zealous legal representation from aggressive and experienced family lawyers.  We represent families throughout Massachusetts, including Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Wayland, Dover, Sherborn, Sudbury, Carlisle, Lexington, Boxford, Georgetown, Topsfield, and other communities in the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Worcester, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, Hampton, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire.  We offer an extensive initial consultation where we discuss your family law matter in depth.  We will give you an honest assessment of your case in light of the facts, case law, and our extensive experience.  Contact our Boston Divorce Attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation or call (781) 461-9800.