Hiring a family lawyer is not a decision to take lightly or make on a whim. It’s an important decision, as you will be entrusting your future and the future of your family to this person. For that reason, it’s best not to rush into hiring anyone who comes along. There are some things you should consider first so that you can be sure you get the right lawyer for the job.
First and foremost, you want to check the education of any lawyer you are considering hiring. You will get a lot more depth and expertise from someone who has attended law school at the university or college level. The practice may be considered a learned profession, but that doesn’t mean it’s acceptable for anyone to practice law. Some specific rules and regulations must be followed, and a degree is required to become a lawyer. Since your family’s future is at stake here, this isn’t the time to go cheap on education.
You also want to make sure your lawyer has experience dealing with family law cases. Hiring an attorney who specializes in personal injury claims when you need help getting divorced is probably not the best choice. It’s also a good idea to check with the local bar association to see if any complaints have been filed against your chosen family lawyer. If you find any, you will want to find another lawyer.
Family law is in a state of change, and those changes can affect people through the years. You need to be sure that the lawyer you choose is willing to keep up with those changes and stay informed on them to give you the best possible representation. Your family deserves that much at least. Here we will see how you can hire a family lawyer and the necessary steps.
1. Start as soon as possible
You must start the search for a family lawyer as early as possible. Consult an attorney on any issues you have, before the problem gets out of hand. That way, you can avoid court battles and save some time and money later on.
It is vital to hire a family lawyer early because they need time to get a good understanding of your case and provide effective representation in court. Time is precious when dealing with any legal matter, especially one that concerns your entire family and future.
2. Find the right attorney
There are several ways through which you can find the right family lawyer for your case. You can either ask a friend or family member for the recommended lawyer’s name or you can decide on personal experience. If you think that finding the right lawyer will be difficult, write down the name of at least five family lawyers and contact them later on.
3. Talk to the attorney
You need to ask the family lawyer all the questions you have, as well as learn about his/her work experience. Your family needs a lawyer with experience, knowledge, and professionalism to serve them well.
4. Look into feedback and backgrounds about your lawyer
You should also look into the feedback and backgrounds of the family lawyer you have hired. This will help you to feel comfortable and confident that you have chosen the right lawyer for your case.
5. Check if they are licensed
It is also essential that you make sure that the family lawyer is licensed to practice law in your state and has a good track record of winning cases. You can do a thorough background check on him/her or simply contact the local bar association to know if any complaints have been filed against them.
6. Ask an attorney for advice
An attorney should be able to provide you with useful advice on which path to take in your case. They can also help you in securing funding and different types of support that you may need to get through the process.
7. Talk about the details
After an initial meeting, you need to discuss topics related to your case with your lawyer and set a date for a follow-up meeting. Make sure that you have talked extensively about the particulars of your case with him/her so that there will be no surprises later on in court. Include any information that is specific about your case and let him/her know anything he or she may not already know about it.
8. Price to pay
You also need to make sure that you are aware of the price you will have to pay for the lawyer’s services. There is no fixed fee for a family lawyer, and it will depend on the case and how complicated it is. Exploration of fees may lead to some more informed decisions.
By understanding all these things, you can be sure that you have hired a family lawyer who will enjoy your trust and work with fairness and efficiency in court.
What qualities should you look for in a family lawyer?
For those who have been served with a divorce or a proposal for divorce, the most critical decision is to determine whether to accept or reject the proposal. This is the time when your family law attorney can make a difference in your life. Not only will he/she help you prepare for the hearing, but also provide advice on other issues such as child custody and financial matters.
You may have undergone considerable emotional stress and turmoil during initial discussions with your family law attorney. Your lawyer can help you look at all aspects of your case including financial, emotional, and legal ones to make important decisions that are in your best interest.
Here are a few key qualities you should look for in a family lawyer
- Communication skills: To give your case the full attention it deserves, your attorney should be a good listener and communicator. He/she should be able to provide you with realistic and honest advice so that you can understand what to expect in court.
- Expertise and familiarity with family law: Your attorney should have a vast knowledge of family law and have excellent experience dealing with cases involving child custody, child support, child visitation, property division, etc. After all, he/she will be speaking on your behalf in court.
- Professionalism: You need a lawyer who is professional at all times by being respectful towards you as well as other parties involved in the case. Your family law attorney should not lose his/her temper in court or be rude to a judge or opposing attorney.
- Availability: The lawyer should be available to you both before and during the hearing. If there is any need for further discussion about your case, your attorney should always be there for you. You are paying the lawyer for his/her services and he/she needs to deliver them with full dedication and commitment.
What can happen if I don’t have a family lawyer?
Many people have started hiring family lawyers to help them in court, especially when they are going through a divorce or child custody case. However, there are still some who have decided to go to court on their own and have not hired a family lawyer. Some of these people get through the case with minimum damage while others end up making costly mistakes that may affect them later on.
Just imagine that you are in court and realize that the other party is lying or has the upper hand. What will you do? What if your attorney does not show up for one reason or another? You cannot afford to make any mistakes when dealing with something as important as your family’s future.
Save yourself from all this trouble by finding yourself a family lawyer who will understand your case completely, analyze every detail and prepare your stance effectively in court.
What if I have a family lawyer but feel that I need a second opinion?
If you already have a family lawyer and are not satisfied with his/her services or feel that you are not getting the right advice, then you can always consult another attorney. However, it is important to understand that the new attorney will only be able to help you till the point where your case is handled by the first one.
Therefore, most divorced parents prefer to retain a divorce attorney who manages their cases until they wrap up. This way they can get fresh insights and constructive criticism to help them build stronger arguments against their ex-spouse.
Most family lawyers recommend that their clients have a legal consultation with them before they have a full case conference with the opposing party. It is ideal for parents to be prepared for any eventuality to anticipate the steps to take in different situations.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits of having a family lawyer with you during your divorce. However, hiring the right attorney is not always easy as you have to make sure that he or she will be fully aware of all aspects related to your case.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you prepare a checklist of key qualities and find out whether the lawyers you are considering have them or not. Only hire an attorney who will deliver the best results for your case and help you get back on your feet after going through such a difficult phase in life.