17 November 2022
 Categories: , Blog

If you are going through a divorce, child custody battle or any other family law issue, you will need a family lawyer to help you through the process. It can be a challenging and confusing time, so it is helpful to have some information about family lawyers before you start your search.

There are many types of family lawyers, so it is necessary to find one that specialises in your case type. For example, you will want to find a divorce lawyer if you are going through a divorce. If you are fighting for child custody, you will want to find a child custody lawyer.

When you are meeting with a potential family lawyer, there are some critical questions you should ask. Here are three essential points to have in mind.

Know their experience 

The first thing you must do is find out the level of experience of your family lawyer. When you find yourself in what is most likely to be a challenging experience, you need an experienced hand to shepherd you through.

Therefore, it is vital to find out how long they have been practising family law and how many cases they have handled that are similar to yours. This will give you an idea of their expertise and whether or not they are a good fit for you. If unsure how to proceed, asking for a referral from a trusted friend or family member can be helpful.

Enquire about their fees

This is an important question because you need to be able to afford their services. Money is a significant challenge for most clients looking to hire a family lawyer. Very few plan for such a possibility because nobody expects to be in such a situation.

You have a few options to consider if your finances are stretched. The main consideration is to determine if the family lawyer you intend to hire charges by the hour or if they have a flat rate. A flat rate is more likely to be cheaper. If you opt for an hourly basis, you may pay more if your case is complex and takes longer than expected.

It would help if you also asked about additional fees, such as filing fees. Be sure to get all this information in writing.

Ask about their availability.

The third question to ask is about their availability. You need to know that your lawyer will be available when you need them. This means they should be accessible by phone or email and willing to meet with you in person when necessary.

Some lawyers may try to schedule everything around their court appearances. However, this is not always possible, and you must prepare for the possibility that your lawyer may not be available when you need them.

It is also essential to find out how they communicate with their clients. Some lawyers prefer to correspond via email, while others prefer phone calls or face-to-face meetings. You should find out what their preference is and whether or not it aligns with your own.

Keep these three things in mind when looking for a family lawyer, and you will be on your way to finding the right one.