can a family member which is an attorney represent you

by Miss Belle Torphy 4 min read

Lawyers are allowed to represent their family members. But is it advisable? Not always. Lawyers have a duty to provide objective and unbiased representation. However, emotional conflicts may interfere with proper discharge of this duty when family members are involved in the case.

Technically lawyers are allowed to represent anyone, including members of their own families. However, depending on the state where you practice and type of case you need to handle, the answer to this question may be buried beneath a mountain of fine print and gray areas.

Full Answer

Can attorney represent his or her own family members?

Yes, an attorney may represent a family member. However, the prevailing wisdom is that an attorney should never represent a family member, just like a doctor should not treat a family member. Report Abuse

Can attorney represent their own parents?

Yes, if the family has no conflict of interest against each other. In the alternative the conflict, if it is a waivable one, can be waived. Some conflicts are not waivable. It is common though for a lawyer to represent one family in a wrongful death case, for example. The law generally controls who inherits what in such cases.

Are lawyers allowed to represent family members?

Lawyers are allowed to represent their family members. But is it advisable? Not always. Lawyers have a duty to provide objective and unbiased representation. However, emotional conflicts may interfere with proper discharge of this duty when family members are involved in the case. Potential emotional conflicts should be taken into account by ...

Is it legal for an attorney represent their spouse?

so yes, legally speaking a lawyer can represent their partner. in practice however, it is not advisable to do so as it might prevent the lawyer from looking at the issues in the substantive suit objectively and would therefore result in the lawyer not properly handling the case. it is therefore advised that a lawyer does not represent his/her …

image

Can a lawyer represent his relative?

Should a lawyer represent a family member? The answer to the first question is a qualified yes. Courts do not typically intervene in allowing a family litigant to choose their lawyer, just as they generally don't interfere with litigants who represent themselves. However, there have been exceptions.

Can you use a family friend as a lawyer?

There are no special rules for representing friends and relatives – lawyers who provide legal assistance to relatives are bound by the same rules that apply to any lawyer-client relationship.

Can my friend who is a lawyer represent me?

In court cases, you can either represent yourself or be represented by a lawyer. Even for simple and routine matters, you can't go to court for someone else without a law license. Some federal and state agencies allow non-lawyers to represent others at administrative hearings.

Is it unethical for a lawyer to represent family?

While there is nothing unethical about representing your family members, per se, you do run into the possibility of navigating into ethical gray zones. For example, offering legal advice at a family dinner or gathering could land you in an unintentional attorney-client relationship.

Can a lawyer represent you without you being there?

Minor Wrongdoing vs Felony He/she may defend your rights without your presence on your behalf at all stages of your case. But, if your charge is brought for a felony you must take part in all stages including arraignment, plea, preliminary hearing, parts of a trial, and sentencing at the court with your attorney.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Can a son represent his father in court?

NEW DELHI: You can argue your case before a court of law, but not for your father or son, who have to engage a lawyer. As a power of attorney holder for someone, you may sign sale deeds and agreements on his behalf, but you cannot argue for him in a court of law unless specifically permitted.

Is it good to have a lawyer friend?

Their relationship should more so be one of mutual respect and communication. If the prosecutor is friends with you attorney, meaning they socialize outside of work and run in the same social circles, then it's critical that their relationship not impact their professional performance. Typically, this isn't a problem.

What is the job of an attorney?

The attorney’s job is to zealously represent the client within the confines of the law and the ethical rules. Our job is to get the best result possible. And that does not mean we always agree with the client. Clients and attorneys often disagree. So that is the first issue here.

What is a lawyer deemed to be?

Lawyers are deemed to be professionals who should present an objective and unbiased opinion on the case in question; with the involvement of a family member in the case, it will just rob of the lawyer the quality to act as how he/she is expected to.

What to consider when a lawyer doesn't have a conflict?

Another consideration, even if the lawyer doesn’t have a conflict and is able to maintain the appropriate emotional distance, is that the lawyer has to have the appropriate subject-matter expertise. Most of us are specialists.

What are the preconditions for representing a family?

First, there can be no active conflicts between the family members. For example, the family can’t be fighting over who gets what from deceased relative’s estate or how to divvy up the lottery winnings.

Why is family law so difficult?

Not because the law itself is hard, for the most part, it isn’t; but because the people are often in crisis and they bring that energy into your world. Many, many lawyers find it extremely difficult to practice in this area. They become burned out and dejected.

Can a lawyer talk to a family member?

Yes, but It can be difficult. There is a emotion element that there isn't with a person that isn't rightfully family. It can be done,and done well. Think about it between people getting funny about money and personal information that they could tell the rest of the family is a factor. It's allowed if you trust they are going to keep your information about your case with them and that only it's called confidential information. That you not your lawyer can talk about in conversation with people. It's regard to your case and should st a y between you your lawyer and the lawyer on the opposite side

Do you have to apply the same ethical/conflicts rules to guard against self-dealing or misuse of?

You have to apply the same ethical/conflicts rules to guard against self-dealing or misuse of confidential information that you would with an unrelated client, but generally speaking, provided there is no conflict, there's nothing stopping a lawyer from representing a family member.

Can an attorney be a witness in a case?

It depends on the rest of the facts. If the attorney is not likely to become a witness in the case, and his relationship to his client has nothing to do with the underlying case, the fact that they're related doesn't by itself make the representation illegal.#N#More

Is it a good idea to have a family member represent you?

While it MAY be a conflict of interest, the bottom line is that it is typically not a good idea to have a family member represent you. While she may be receiving reduced rates or free legal services, the quality of representation may very well be compromised due to the personal relationship. Additionally, the attorney may not specialize in family law, which makes high quality representation that much more...

Why is it important to be upfront with your lawyer?

It is equally important to be completely upfront with the merits and likelihood of success. All too often some lawyers want to impress their family and/or don’t want to impress them by breaking the hard truth. Family members, like any other client, need to know sooner rather than later if their case is shaky or not.

Why is it important to have a lawyer think long and hard before accepting a case?

The ability to provide dispassionate counsel may be impaired when a lawyer is emotionally involved in a case. That is why a lawyer should always think long and hard before accepting any case that involves a family member. The practice of law can be stressful.

Why is it important to consider a case before accepting it?

The practice of law can be stressful. Lawyers need to set boundaries and this can be difficult with close family members . That is why some lawyers carefully consider a case before accepting it. They ask questions like, “Do I really want to step into that beehive?”

Can you say no to family?

It’s hard to say no to family. If you honestly don’t have the time to do the matter or if it is outside your practice area, don’t be afraid to just say no. Lawyers should make sure that they are not getting into a situation where emotions can get the better of them.

Can a lawyer represent a family member?

Lawyers are allowed to represent their family members. But is it advisable? Not always. Lawyers have a duty to provide objective and unbiased representation. However, emotional conflicts may interfere with proper discharge of this duty when family members are involved in the case.

image