how to know if you family law lawyer is good

What should I expect from a family law lawyer?

Oct 17, 2019 · Also, you should review any biographical information on your attorney. For example, find out if this person practices family law exclusively. Does the lawyer’s website mention mediation? An attorney with experience in divorce mediation might be more focused on a collaborative approach, which can be good if you want to avoid trial. Alternatively, does this …

How do I find a good family lawyer?

A peer review is a professional resource in which other legal professional give you input regarding the best attorneys in your area. Of course, word-of-mouth is another way to determine the reputation of a family law attorney. This is especially helpful if you live in a small community.

How do I know if my lawyer is good?

A good lawyer will write simply and to the point. Your judge is often reading your pleading the night before -- after cooking or taking care of their kids and a long work day. The last thing they want to do is read through a 10 page declaration that strays from the …

Should I hire a family-law attorney?

Jan 09, 2018 · Here are 5 signs of a trustworthy lawyer. 1. Cautiously Optimistic. Most cases aren’t slam-dunks, and it is important that your lawyer doesn’t make promises regarding the outcome of your case ...

What qualities make a good family lawyer?

What are the signs of a good lawyer?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

How often should I hear from my attorney?

Is it normal to not hear from your lawyer?

Can your lawyer snitch on you?

Do lawyers lie?

Why do lawyers take so long to get back to you?

How do you know if a lawyer is scamming you?

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

How do you deal with rude lawyers?

What to consider when hiring a lawyer?

Things to consider when hiring a lawyer. Your divorce or custody battle is as unique as your family’s circumstances. It’s important to find the right lawyer for your particular case. A good lawyer can help you navigate the murky waters of divorce and can help you feel confident about your decisions. By contrast, an ill-equipped or inexperienced ...

Do attorneys need to be in your local community?

An attorney needs to understand your circumstances to make an accurate assessment of your case. Any attorney you hire should practice in your local community. Family law cases often require courtroom appearances, and almost all attorneys bill for their travel time.

Should a family lawyer be honest?

Simple. A family law lawyer should be honest with you about the strengths and weaknesses of your divorce case. I swear, some family lawyers should have pom poms in their office. All they do is cheer-lead, just to get you to retain them. That is foolish on their part and dangerous on yours. Imagine going to a doctor.

Why do lawyers have a poor reputation?

Lawyers, as a profession, have a poor reputation for their communication skills. You know why that is? Because they deserve it. Your family law attorney should be accessible to you. When you call, he or she should take the call. You should not be talking with the lawyer's secretary or paralegal more than the lawyer. Legal advice should come from the lawyer. Your lawyer should email you. Your lawyer should be in regular contact about the status of your case.

Do lawyers look at divorce cases in a vacuum?

The best lawyers will not look at your divorce case and its issues in a vacuum. Instead, they will understand the court has "discretion" on certain issues and there is rarely a black or white, clear-cut issue in family law. That discretion means options and it is important your lawyer give you those options.

What is the objectivity of a lawyer?

The lawyer's objectivity. Objectivity is more than giving you the strengths and weaknesses of your case. It is also making sure the analysis of your case includes the reasonable options the family court has. The best lawyers will not look at your divorce case and its issues in a vacuum.

Expert Q&A

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Tips

It is fine to let attorneys know during the initial consultation that you are interviewing other candidates for your case. Attorneys expect that potential clients are interviewing other attorneys, and appreciate your honesty about it.

Warnings

If your case is settled out of court and you are entitled to money, your attorney cannot refuse to pay you what you’re owed.

About This Article

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 80,737 times.

Factors to Consider Before Hiring an Attorney for Your Family

When you need to hire a family law attorney, consider these factors first to ensure that you hire the very best one for your needs.

Keep the Peace and Protect Your Rights with the Right Attorney

Going through a breakup is stressful for everyone involved – you, your ex, and any kids you may have. That stress can even affect extended family and friends.

Do lawyers know all the laws?

KNOWLEDGE of the law. Contrary to popular belief, lawyers do not know all laws off the top of their head. However, your lawyers should participate in continuing legal education to seek out new law and procedure, refresh their memory and learn new strategies to resolving life most complicated issues. Most importantly, a lawyer who is afraid ...

Can you learn passion from a lawyer?

Passion can't be learned -- it's innate. If you sense that the lawyer you are considering doesn't have it, skip him/her. Cases can last months, sometimes years. You need to be confident that your lawyer will not fizzle out or get bored -- but instead will keep gunning for you all the way to the finish line.

What happens if a lawyer is not honest?

A lawyer who does not have a reputation for being honest, will have trouble with garnering the trust that is necessary to negotiate a matter to resolution. Failing to take the high road on a regular basis certainly effects your credibility in the courtroom.

Is a lawyer honest?

HONESTY. Really, there are lawyers who are truthful. A lawyer who does not have a reputation for being honest, will have trouble with garnering the trust that is necessary to negotiate a matter to resolution. Failing to take the high road on a regular basis certainly effects your credibility in the courtroom.

Is it necessary to hire the cheapest lawyer?

AFFORDABILITY. This one is tricky. You certainly don' t want to hire the cheapest attorney on the block. There's something to be said about getting what you pay for. However, it isn't always necessary to hire the most expensive lawyer. In fact, just because they have a high billable hour doesn't make them good.

Is law a specialized field?

Law is very specialized these days, similar to other fields like medicine. A lawyer who spreads him/herself to thin, cannot possibly have the necessary experience to battle all of the legal nuances that come in a particular case. Your chosen lawyer should have several years of experience in the field you are hiring them for.

Is a lawyer a good listener?

A great lawyer is an even better listener. Nothing in the legal world has a cookie cutter approach. They should understand your goals. Not only are they good at listening, great lawyers are also responsive.

Do lawyers talk upfront about fees?

Honest About Fees Upfront. Though sometimes a sore subject, it is crucial that your lawyer talks about fees upfront. Certain types of representation have flat fees: immigration matters, basic bankruptcy, administrative law, etc.

Is a lawyer a slam dunk?

Most cases aren’t slam-dunks, and it is important that your lawyer doesn’t make promises regarding the outcome of your case and should not be overconfident no matter how seasoned he or she is. A great lawyer knows there are many factors to be considered and that no legal proceedings come with guarantees and should present a few options for handling the case.

Should a lawyer empathize with pain?

As strange as this may sound, your lawyer shouldn’t empathize too much with your pain. A good legal service provider is able to stay objective and seek the truth at all costs. Your lawyer should pursue a professional relationship that’s based on trust and facts (good AND bad).

What type of representation has flat fees?

Certain types of representation have flat fees: immigration matters, basic bankruptcy, administrative law, etc. However, most types of legal matters have varying fees, and a good lawyer will give you a range.

Do lawyers work by themselves?

The legal team. Some lawyers work by themselves, while others have paralegals on their team or outsource some of the legal work to other lawyers. You want to make sure you know who will be handling your file, as this can have an impact on both the quality of the service you receive and the cost. Communication.

What should a lawyer do during initial consultation?

During the initial consultation, a lawyer should be able to give you a ballpark estimate, based on the facts of your case. The legal team. Some lawyers work by themselves, while others have paralegals on their team or outsource some of the legal work to other lawyers.