Finding the Right Attorney

Finding the Right Attorney

Dealing with family law issues, including divorce and child custody, can be one of the most emotional experiences you’ll have in your life. Because the process is timely and can be draining, it’s critical that you choose a family law attorney who fully understands your situation and your needs. Not all family law attorneys will treat your case the same, and it’s important to find one you trust and like working with.

In order to find the right attorney, it can be useful to meet with more than one before deciding who you want to work with; many attorneys will provide a free or reduced fee consultation to discuss your case. These meetings are your chance to educate yourself about the process and about that individual attorney. If you don’t select one that you meet with, remember that’s OK — it’s a personal decision you must make, it’s not personal to the attorney.

Here are some general rules to consider:

1.      Trust is key. You must trust that your attorney understands you and your case.

2.      Experience is insightful. Ask the attorney about their work, how long they’ve been practicing, why they chose to practice in this area. Get a feel for their understanding of your circumstances and whether they’ve dealt with any similar cases.

3.      Offices are illustrative. You might get much more out of going to the attorney’s office than you think — because you’ll likely spend some time with your attorney, get a sense of what the office environment is like and whether you’ll be comfortable there throughout the process.

4.      Websites explain a lot. Be sure to do your web research. Ensure that your attorney regularly practices in the family law area. Many attorneys offer family law services to their friends and family, but if it’s not their main practice area, you may end up unsatisfied with their work. Consider their website as a fair representation of what they practice.

5.      Check your presumptions at the door. Don’t assume that a male attorney will be the best advocate for a man in a relationship or that the opposite is true. There are a full range of family law practitioners that represent a full range of clients. What’s important is that they understand you and your situation.

6.      Don’t be afraid to talk about money. All attorneys would prefer to discuss fees from the outset and many are willing to work with you to find an arrangement that works for you. Also, don’t let the lack of a free consultation dissuade you from meeting an attorney. Many of those who charge for the first consultation will fold that payment into their overall fee for your case.