When you need a lawyer, a good one can be difficult to find as few attorneys have experience with family law. In this case, doing some research will come in handy if you want to find the right family law attorney for your situation, whether it is for a divorce or another issue.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. offers tips to help you choose the right lawyer for your needs. While I receive monetary compensation for publishing it, I have the final say over all wording and feel it provides high value.
Consider Your Options for a Family Law Attorney
The type of lawyer that you choose depends on the goal you have in mind. You need to know that other than litigation, there are other options. Arbitration and mediation are some of the more private options that will keep your family’s business out of the public eye.
Be Realistic about What to Expect
Your lawyer will be in charge of handling your legal cases. What this means is that you should limit your expectations and not expect personal advice from him or her.
For instance, when you hire a lawyer from a law firm such as Holtz Law, do not expect this person to be your therapist. If you want mental support, visit a therapist or reach out to a loved one for it.
Keep Your Focus
Whether your goal is to adopt a child, divide your property, or have an amicable divorce, you need to understand what to expect clearly. If you need a lawyer who understands how to help you get life insurance benefits, a lawyer like ERISA lawyer in Santa Clara is a professional in this area.
Knowing your goal will help you to choose the right family law attorney for your specific case. And that can have a big impact on the end result.
Find the Right Family Law Attorney by Identifying Prospects
It’s usually wise to ask your family and friends for recommendations. Even if they do not know any family lawyers, they might know attorneys who can refer you to a good family lawyer.
Make sure that you focus on the goal that you want your lawyer to help you to achieve, such as getting a divorce. This way, you can narrow down your list of potential lawyers to a few people before moving on to the next step.
Conduct Background Checks
You need to check whether the lawyers that you are considering have a current license. The last thing that you want is to work with an unlicensed lawyer. For this reason, background checks are an essential part of the hiring process.
Moreover, get in touch with the lawyer’s previous clients and ask them the right questions: did the lawyer meet your expectations? Did this person return your calls or emails on time?
Interview Potential Lawyers
When you need a lawyer, talk to potential candidates in person before you hire one. Make sure that you find out as much as possible during the interview.
Find the right family law attorney by asking:
- What type of clients do you usually represent?
- What is your experience in this area?
- How much do you charge?
- How does their firm operate?
Don’t shy away from asking about the lawyer fees during your initial meeting. Finances can be difficult to talk about, yes. But it’s important to know how much you can expect to pay later on for their services.
Look for Red Flags
What if a lawyer seems distracted or does not want to divulge important information during the meeting? It could mean that they’re hiding something or are simply unprofessional.
Moreover, avoid lawyers who act disrespectfully towards you during the interview because chances are that they will keep acting the same way. You need to find a family lawyer who will treat you and your case with the respect that you deserve.
Decide Who is the Right Family Law Attorney
Narrowing down potential applicants is easier when you know what type of attorney you’re looking for and do the research. Choose a person who is responsive, knowledgeable, and professional.
You need a lawyer who will keep the lines of communication open. And one who understands your priorities too. This person will work in a modern law firm and use technology smartly to get the best results for the clients.
Concluding Thoughts
Choosing the right family law attorney is not easy or straightforward, unfortunately. But the above tips can make the process an easier one. Here’s a final tip. Ask your family and friends for help if you are unable to choose a lawyer by yourself.