How to Choose the Right Family Lawyer
Family law disputes can be very emotional and sensitive cases, and so it’s more important than ever to make sure you have a lawyer that you trust. And every family is different, with their own needs and wants. You are looking for someone who has the expertise but also the touch to handle a situation that could change your life drastically.
But where should you start? Is it as easy as flipping through the Yellow Pages and landing on a solicitor? Surely, such a big decision will take more forethought than that?
And it does. You need to trust this person with a very important matter to you, so it makes sense you put a little bit of research into it.
Take a look at our guide for choosing the right family solicitor for you.
Choose the lawyer, not the firm
When it comes to looking through the various available family law solicitors, you are looking to hire a solicitor, not a firm. It is an important relationship that could mean some big changes in your life. You’re trusting their expertise to get you the change, the justice, or the access you need.
So, it’s important that you get to know your potential lawyer so that you trust them, but also develop a relationship to ensure they do their best for you. You’re not looking to hire a firm, but a lawyer. To the firm you’re simply another means of income and your case could transfer in and out of hands all over the firm, without your approval.
Check their experience
Of course, good vibes aren’t entirely what you’re looking for. You will want to know that the solicitor you pick can in fact get you the result you’re looking for. This is where you need to start doing your research.
As a good first step, you should take a look at their LinkedIn profiles. Not only will you receive their entire resume ready to read, but you can get a vibe on whether they are more playful or serious and see what feels better for you and your situation.
If you like what you see amongst their career background too, there is nothing wrong with contacting solicitors to ask them a few extra questions in terms of background. Make sure your potential lawyer has dealt with situations like yours before and ask as many questions as you need to, to feel comfortable. You can ask how long they have been practicing family law in particular, and what their outcome rates are like.
Remember that it’s important that you trust them, and that’s not likely to happen if you don’t have all the facts. Trusting your solicitor plays an important part in the outcome of your case, so you have to know that they have your best interest at heart to go with the decisions they are proposing.
Take a look at the fees
Unfortunately, a major aspect of your decision is going to be the price tag. You’re not likely to go with a lawyer you can’t afford, but make sure that the price offered is reasonable.
Your best bet is to go with a lawyer that offers flexible fees or payment plans as solutions to aid your budget. Don’t go with the expensive lawyer thinking that means better quality of representation. And equally, don’t automatically choose the cheaper option because you think you have to.
There are loads of ways you can pay your lawyer, including contingency fees, consultation fees, flat fees, hourly, statutory fees and more. A solicitor that is flexible on these will suit you best, so that you aren’t crippled by paying for them.
