what to ask a family lawyer

by Bernita Smitham Jr. 4 min read

Ask the attorney how they specifically can help you get custody of your child. Have them tell you a detailed course of action that will be taken over the coming weeks or months. Inquire about what they, compared to another child custody attorney, can do to help you get custody of your child.

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What questions should I ask when hiring a family law attorney?

Aug 08, 2018 · Questions to ask your family lawyer The relationship you strike with your family lawyer centres on compatibility: you need to ensure that your working style and goals align. At Lift Legal, our relationships with clients are more than just a business transaction. We want to get to know you so that we can tailor our services to your unique needs.

What questions should I ask my child custody attorney?

Do I need a family lawyer?

How do family law attorneys communicate with clients?

You can ask the attorney for the names of each of the medical providers who have liens and call them yourself to request they speed up the settlement process. If you believe your attorney did not settle when you asked him/her to do so, you can report them to the CA State Bar as doing this is a violation of the Bar's ethical rules.... Read More

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What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

How do I interview a family lawyer?

Family Lawyer Interview Questions:How do you ensure a mediation between family members remains calm? ... How do you keep your clients up-to-date on their cases? ... Can you describe your hardest family law case? ... What are the most important factors of a will? ... What is your method for prioritizing cases?

What are five things you should ask your lawyer?

Below are ten questions to ask your potential lawyer.How long have you practiced law? ... What type of cases do you generally handle? ... Who is your typical client? ... How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?More items...•Apr 13, 2018

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerThe Firm/Lawyer's Specialty in the Areas of Law You Need.Years of Experience & Success.The Firm's Resources at Your Disposal.The Lawyers Communication with You to Make Sure You Know Whats Going On, and.Comfort Level when Speaking with the Lawyer and the Firm's Team.

What do I need to know before hiring a divorce lawyer?

Ten Questions to Ask a Divorce AttorneyDo you specialize in divorces, or are divorces just a part of your practice? ... What is your strategy for my case? ... How long do you take to return phone calls? ... Will anyone else in your office be working on my case? ... How will you charge me?More items...

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.Oct 28, 2020

How do I ask my lawyer about my case?

10 things to ask your lawyer in a case reviewHave you handled this type of case before? ... What is the best method for contacting you? ... Who will be handling my case? ... To whom may I speak with about my case? ... What are your fees? ... Are there other fees for which I will be held responsible?More items...•Apr 18, 2014

How do you answer legal interview questions?

Below are some common legal interview questions—plus suggestions on how to approach them.Tell me a little about yourself. ... What attracted you to our firm/organization? ... Can you describe a challenge or conflict you have faced at work and how you overcame it? ... What is your biggest weakness? ... Do you have any questions for us?Mar 20, 2021

What do you say when you call a lawyer?

0:261:20What To Say When You Call An Attorney - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific.MoreKnow kind of ballpark. Terms where you're coming from. And then you can elaborate on your specific. Situation. And when you keep it simple in the beginning it really does make it easier.

How do you email a lawyer to represent you?

Below the subject line is the salutation, which is typically "Dear Mr. or "Dear Ms. ." If the lawyer is a woman, the salutation should say "Ms." rather than "Miss" or "Mrs." unless you know she prefers one of these.Oct 22, 2019

What are the benefits of having a lawyer?

Benefits of being a lawyerVariety of career options. As a lawyer, you can choose from several career options in the both public and private sectors. ... Starting your own business. ... Lucrative career. ... Intellectual stimulation. ... Flexibility. ... Adaptable skills. ... Ability to help others. ... Work environment.More items...•Feb 28, 2021

What to expect when you have a divorce case?

During your divorce case, you may have many questions. You want an attorney who will be responsive and put your mind at ease. There is nothing more frustrating than leaving multiple messages at an attorney’s office with no answer. Understanding your attorney’s practices can help alleviate uncertainty and frustration.

Can an attorney spend a small percentage of their time on family law?

If an attorney has been practicing for many years but spends only a small percentage of their time on family law, they may not be as effective as someone who spends the majority of their time on family cases.

Can an attorney tell you when your case is finished?

Again, many factors affect the time your case will take, and it’s impossible to tell for sure when it will be finished. However, your attorney can advise you of how different circumstances will affect the length of your case.

Do divorce cases go to trial?

Even though most cases do not go to trial, finding a family law attorney with trial experience is important. Not all attorneys are comfortable taking a case to trial. They may pressure you to settle your divorce case on terms you don’t feel comfortable with. Or they may direct you to another attorney if your case becomes too complicated.

Can you help me achieve my goals?

We all do our best work when we believe in what we’re working to accomplish. Before meeting with a family lawyer, consider what’s important to you and to your children.

Who will be my primary point of contact?

It may take time between your contacting a lawyer and receiving a response. For convenience, you may expect a reply within 24 hours. Be sure to clarify your lawyer’s policies.

How much will this cost?

Unexpected legal bills can be incredibly frustrating. They can also erode trust in your relationship with your lawyer. When you first meet with us, we’ll discuss our need for a retainer and expectations around budgets for legal fees. In most matters, we can work based on regular hourly billing, quoted billing caps or fixed legal fees.

How do I get started?

When facing a family law-related matter, asking the right questions helps to ensure that find the right lawyer for your unique circumstances. Lift Legal’s team of experienced family lawyers and certified family law mediators can help.

Why is it so expensive to hire a family lawyer?

Because hiring a family attorney can become expensive, especially if the case goes to court, you’ll at least want to determine what your other options may be. Arbitration and other out-of-court arrangements may be made to spare you not only time and expenses, but undue anxiety and other emotional distress.

What to do if you are embroiled in a family dispute?

If you find yourself embroiled in a family dispute, you should consider seeking legal counsel from an established family attorney. A family attorney can assist with dealing in matters of divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, restraining orders, spousal support, premarital agreements, wills and trusts, ...

Why is it important to find out who your typical client is?

It’s also important to find out who their typical client is, because if that attorney deals primarily with corporate clients or clients far beyond your financial means, they may not be used to handling a client like you or your best interests. 3.

Why do lawyers provide free consultations?

Because lawyers often provide a free or low-cost consultation to discuss case details and possible avenues to pursue, you should take that opportunity to ask several questions. They will help you determine not only the merit of your case, but whether that attorney may be the right one for you.

Do you need to know about divorce?

No matter what your situation is, it’s absolutely vital for you to know as much as you can about your situation. This question will vary for each client, but if you’re entangled in a nasty divorce, you will want to know all there is to know about legalities involving divorce. The same would go for wills and trusts or child custody and alimony payments.

What is family law?

Family law covers a fairly broad area, and can also include issues related to reproductive rights and foster care. Additionally, it can also refer to the regulations governing the requirements for a legal marriage. Family law disputes can often leave a person with no idea of where to turn.

Can family law dispute be costly?

Family law disputes can often leave a person with no idea of where to turn. Confusion can often prove costly, especially if you’re paying big bucks for legal consultations on top of everything else. The Family Law Experts on JustAnswer can provide the help you need, regardless of your location or budget.

What is required to receive a follow up call from a lawyer?

Fullname is required. A valid email address is required. Receive a follow-up from lawyers after your question is answered. Text Call. A valid phone number is required. Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field)

What to do if your child is raped?

If your child was raped, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a party or parties that both Perpetrated the assault, as well as who may have been negligent in allowing that assault to happen. You should discuss your Daughters case with counsel in your jurisdiction to investigate the possibility of bringing a civil action against the perpetrator and/or other culpable... Read More

What happens if my wife doesn't have a will?

If she did not have a will, then the property will depending upon the circumstances pass to those heirs named in the Texas statutes on Intestacy. Hire a lawyer. If your wife had a will that left everything to you then you need to probate it. If she did not have a will, then the property will...

Can you be stuck with a property that was passed to four beneficiaries?

It depends somewhat on how the property was bequeathed. If it was directly passed in undivided interests to four beneficiaries you may be stuck with it, absent agreement or a law suit for partition of the property (a court ordered sale). If on the other hand the property is simply in the "residue" of the estate and not specifically passed, then generally it will need to be... Read More

Is a business name the same as a trademark?

A business name and a trademark are not the same thing. However, your description says you can find him on the Internet using the name to promote his business. That use gives him priority in Trademark law. There will be other questions you find as you seek to open an e-commerce web site or App. In my experience, working with a lawyer as you begin will save you a... Read More

Do you get the home if you pass away?

When you say would she get the home, do you mean if you pass away? Since this is posted under Wills and Probate, I will answer with those facts. In short, it depends on what the title says. If she is on the deed and it is jointly owned with rights of survivorship, then yes, she gets the home if you pass away . If she is on the deed and there are no survivorship... Read More

5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Family Lawyer

Do you find yourself wondering if you need to be hiring a family law attorney? Maybe your spouse has hinted at divorce, or your ex is threatening to withhold the kids for summer vacation if you don’t do ______ the way they want you to.

1. Do you handle family law matters regularly?

While some situations are truly rare, and no two fact patterns are the same, an experienced family law attorney will have the knowledge of how the different parts of the law and especially family law work together, so even if they haven’t handled a case “exactly” like yours – odds are, they’ve seen enough similar things to have a solid plan of how to approach it..

2. Money

Maybe for some people, the cost of legal fees is no big deal, but for everybody we know does have a limit! Clearly, time spent working on your case, talking to you on the phone, answering emails will be charged, but what about long distance/telephone fees, research/LexisNexis fees, postage, copies, mileage, other costs? Will you get a detailed bill or a general bill? Do they have a “minimum time increment”, or will you only be billed for actual time spent? Those little things can add up – make sure you know what you are (and are not) paying for!.

3. What do you see as being possible outcomes in my case and a timeline?

Sometimes a case is fairly straight forward – such as amicable consent order for child custody and support. However, sometimes a case – particularly equitable distribution, for example, is driven by local rules and depending on the amount of marital property – may take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years.

4. Who will I be working with?

Will you personally be handling my case, and/or will other attorneys in your office be handling the case? Do you prefer emails or phone calls? What is an expected turn-around time on communication (i.e.

5. What are the major problems you see in my case?

EVERY case has its own problems. If your potential attorney can’t share the bad news with you about your case in the first meeting (such as telling you there are no problems in your case), be concerned. Now – not all problems are serious, and almost all problems can be overcome, some easier than others.

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