It is a tough time when you are experiencing heavy family problems such as divorce and child support. Choosing a family law attorney can be a very difficult decision. Selecting the right lawyer for your legal needs can make a real difference both in the outcome of your case and how you make it through the very emotional process. Below are some tips you can start with when looking for the best family law attorney for you:
Pick a lawyer or law firm that specializes in family law
Practicing in this area requires an absolute commitment to family law. The expertise you are about to avail must include the most effective mediators, court process, best counselors, and the highly skilled family lawyers. The law firm you would choose should have extensive knowledge about child support, children’s issues, prenuptial and cohabitation agreements, superannuation, divorce, and alike.
Begin with research and interview
Set up an interview for each potential family lawyer and ask about their experience and specialization within family law. You can also ask them about the type of client they typically represent and their rates. Most divorce lawyers charge an hourly fee and require a fee in advance. However, most family lawyers provide a free consult to discuss your specific situation and what their legal approach would be, so you might want to take advantage of that. Find out your attorney’s access to these resources and if any would be relevant to your case, as it will affect overall cost. Moreover, check the attorney’s trial record and history of success in court. This track record is an indicator of your attorney’s success in negotiation.
Choose some who maintains professionalism
Ensure that your family lawyer appears to be professional and act in a professional manner. That means he/she speaks and behaves in an intelligent and courteous way.
Background check is important
Check the admission date of your lawyer and ask the question as to how long have they specialised in family law. Often those lawyers claiming to have experience in fact have very little.
Find a lawyer that you can be comfortable with
Perhaps this is the most important thing you should be looking for a family lawyer. You should be comfortable in your lawyer’s presence whenever you discuss personal details for the case. A comfortable and open relationship will allow you to share relevant information to your case openly, honestly, and completely. After all, your counsellor would not be able to help you without knowing all of the pertinent information.
Check the experience and expertise
These days, a lot of lawyers are limiting their practice to specific fields such as family law and corporate law. Do not choose a lawyer that does general practice of law because most likely, they do not have enough knowledge on your sensitive case. Always be hesitant about going to a lawyer who does not limit his or her practice to family law matters if you need a divorce.
Choose someone with compassion
Under any law cases, it is highly recommended that you would share some personal details with your lawyer. These personal details might be something you have never told even to your close friends. You should entrust these information with an attorney who is not only smart, but also sympathetic towards your situation. If your lawyer is genuinely concerned about your situation then he/she is also invested in your case and dedicated to the results that will best benefit you.
