The perfect family lawyer is the person who best fits with you, your goals, and your case, and it’s worth taking the time to find the best fit. This article will discuss the steps to narrowing the field to the best family lawyer for you.
1. Look at What and Where. Family law is a general term for a practice that typically includes divorce, custody, child support, visitation, alimony/spousal support, adoption, pre-nuptial agreements, and more. If you want to find the perfect family lawyer, you first need to identify what type of case you have. One of the first questions you will want to ask your potential attorney is whether they practice where the case will be filed. Typically your case will be litigated where either you or your spouse live, but there are exceptions, so ask up front whether you are looking for an attorney in the right place.
2. Research Whether Your Potential Choice Specializes in Family Law. You need to do the work to find the best family lawyer, and you have many tools at your fingertips.
- Check the Attorney’s Website. Click the links on the attorney’s website. Does the attorney list family law as one of his or her specialties?
- Ask Your Attorney Questions about Their Experience in Family Law. Ask as many questions as you can think of, such as how long they have been practicing family law, what types of outcomes they have had in cases similar to yours, what style they practice (whether adversarial or more conciliatory), and what your expectations should be.
3. Do a Reputation Check. Ask friends and family for a recommendation, since word of mouth can be one of the best ways to hear whether an attorney is good or bad. Check the Better Business Bureau website to make sure that your potential choice doesn’t have any complaints. Look at the online reviews to see whether others had a good experience.
4. Talk About the Money. Some clients feel reluctant to talk about the billing, but this should be done right up front. Many attorneys require a retainer, which is a fee paid at the beginning of your case, but that amount isn’t the only number you need to know to make an informed decision. Ask which attorney will work on your case and why. With some firms, the same person will be working on your case exclusively and for the duration. With other firms, you may communicate with a partner, but an associate (less experienced attorney) will be doing much of the work. Find out in advance who will be doing what, and make sure you are comfortable with it. Make sure that you will get back any portion of the retainer that isn’t used. When your bills come, look at them carefully, and don’t be afraid to question a charge that seems unreasonable.
5. Consult with More than One Attorney. Some people feel obligated to an attorney after an initial consultation, but it’s a mistake not to shop around to your top few choices. Trust your impressions. Go to your initial consultation prepared. Ask questions. Take notes. Give yourself time to make the decision and don’t feel rushed, and you will gravitate to the person who is the best fit for you and your needs.
Don’t let your search for an attorney overwhelm you. Finding the best family lawyer is not so different from finding the right home, or a great car or your favorite technology. By following the guidelines above you can identify what you need, do the necessary research, and finally make a well-founded decision on whether that person is the right fit for you.
