When you have family issues that can’t be resolved on your own, you may need the help of a family law attorney. There are several issues where you want the help of a family lawyer rather than another type of lawyer. It’s important to know what those areas are how to choose a family law attorney.
Areas Where a Family Law Attorney Can Help
Here are several areas where a family law attorney can help:
- Adoption
- Child custody & visitation
- Child support modification & enforcement
- Juvenile delinquency & dependency proceedings
- Pre and postnuptial agreements
- Alimony
- Child Support
- Divorce
- Mediation
If your legal issue falls under one of these categories, then a family law attorney can help. They can help to represent your case and help you get the outcome you desire. They can also advise you when your case may not be as strong as you think and when you may want to reach an agreement with the other party rather than seeking the help of the court.
What Does a Family Law Attorney Do?
When you look at the list of areas that a family law attorney can help, it’s important to understand some of the tasks an attorney can do.
Divorce & Child Custody
In divorce proceedings, a family law attorney can help the couple settle their split without going to court. They can do this by acting as a mediator to work through their issues.
They can also help with child support and custody issues which can be very emotional. A family law attorney can help couples draft an agreement when it comes to child custody. They can also help parents change a child custody agreement if need be.
Prenuptial agreement
A family law attorney can draft this agreement as a couple decides the terms of spousal support and division of property.
It’s important to understand that as much as family law attorneys can help to settle a family dispute out of court, many times they do end up in court. That’s why it’s important to find a family law attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in the area of law you need help with.
How to Choose a Family Law Attorney
You don’t want to choose a family law attorney blindly. Doing so can have harmful consequences on you and your family. There are several things to keep in mind as you make your choice.
Look for a Family Law Attorney Near You
Finding a family law attorney near you has many benefits. The lawyer will not only be familiar with the court staff and buildings, but it will be easier for you to visit the office when you need to. This also makes it easier to file paperwork and handle any other type of business that you need to.
Look for Experience
This goes without saying, but you want a family law attorney who has experience. Look to see how long they’ve been practicing and what types of cases they’ve taken on and won. See how many cases like yours they’ve handled. This can give you a good indication of whether this is someone you want representing you.
Check Online Reviews
Online reviews can be a good resource when you want to know about a family law attorney you are unfamiliar with. Read what people are saying, especially if the review is from someone who had the same type of case you’re seeking representation for. See how they describe the attorney’s work and if they were satisfied. Also, look to see if the majority of reviews are positive or negative. This can help you decide whether this attorney would be a good match for your case.
Ask Questions…Many Questions!
The only way you’re going to get answers is by asking questions. Do your research and make a list of questions to ask. As you call around, you may discover that some offices offer a free initial consultation where you can ask many of these questions. If not, see how many questions you can ask over the phone. Here are some basic questions to ask:
- What are the typical costs associated with a case like mine?
- How long have you practiced and do you have experience with my type of case?
- What are the possible outcomes of my case?
- Who will primarily be handling my case?
- What information do you need to get started?
- How long do you think it will take to resolve my case?
- Do you think my case has merit?
- How do you plan to prepare for my case?
- What types of documents do I need and what is the process?
Since you will be getting a lot of information at once, write down the answers. Chances are you may forget them and you don’t want to have to call again. These answers can help you make your final decision. As the attorney answers your questions, see how they make you feel. Do you feel comfortable? Are you content with the answers? Does the attorney treat you well? These are all things to keep in mind if you want to know how to choose a family law attorney.
If you get the feeling that your attorney seems lost or unsure about how they would handle your case, it’s probably best to move on. You want to hire someone who has handled your type of situation before and has had success.
Contact Us!
If you want to know how to choose a family law attorney, look no further than Illaraza Law, P.C. Our experienced staff has helped countless clients with a variety of family law issues. From adoption to child custody to divorce and alimony, we can handle your case with the expertise it deserves.
