how do i find a good family law attorney

1. Determine whether you need a family-law attorney. The first step in finding the right attorney is realizing that you need one.
2. Determine the venue. Normally you will bring a legal case in the county where both parties live or in the county in which the opposing party lives.
3. Search for a family-law attorney in the county where you will file your case. ...
4. Do some research. Some simple online research can serve as a background check of sorts and provide a wealth of information about some of the attorneys on your list.
5. Talk to friends and family who are familiar with any of the attorneys on your list. Ask them what it was like dealing with the attorney in question.
Check online reviews. Whenever possible, check online reviews for the attorneys you’re considering. It’s good to have as many sources of information as possible before you make your decision.
Narrow your choices. Once you have gathered the information above, use it to come up with a list of your top two or three choices.
Call your top choices. Some attorneys may offer a free preliminary consultation on the telephone, even if they charge for an in-person consultation.

Full Answer

How do I find a good family law lawyer?

Apr 23, 2021 · Good ol’ word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a reliable family law attorney. Even if you get recommended a good real estate lawyer, we advise calling them.

What to look for in a family law attorney?

Qualities to look for in a family law attorney. As your potential family law attorney is answering your questions, you should assess their answers and behavior to decide whether they are the best lawyer for you. The following qualities may indicate that this attorney is a good match: Has experience dealing with cases similar to yours.

How do I become a family law attorney?

Oct 17, 2019 · Once you’ve found a family law attorney in your area, check out the prospective attorneys’ websites. Do you think the website is tasteful? Does the attorney look professional? It can also be helpful to ask around and see if anyone in your network knows a prospective divorce attorney. Also, you should review any biographical information on your attorney. For example, …

How to select a 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.

What qualities make a good family lawyer?

How do I know who is a good lawyer?

Where is the best place to find a lawyer?

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Why is my attorney not fighting for me?

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

What are some questions you should ask a lawyer?

What is the retainer fee?

How to choose a family lawyer?

Be cautious with red flags. If you’re sensing unethical behavior from your possible legal counsel, then it’s a downside. When carefully selecting a family lawyer, here are some of the warning signs you should avoid: 1 Sharing confidential information from previous clients 2 Unresponsive and distracted with phone calls and other consultations 3 Attitude issues like aggressiveness and laziness 4 Bold promises to clients 5 Poor reputation 6 Pushing deadlines 7 Not providing references 8 No personal connection

Why is it important to hire a family lawyer?

The perspective of the judge on a specific case may change in the future. Thus, it’s important to hire specialist family lawyers with deep expertise and experience in family law.

Why do you meet a lawyer in person?

Meeting the lawyer in person can give you a bunch of information and the first impression you need to make an informed decision. Personal interviews with them can provide you with ideas on the lawyer’s work ethic and professionalism towards the case.

What makes a good lawyer?

A good lawyer is attentive to the client’s needs. If the lawyer can be reached out easily and provide prompt feedback, then that could be your choice. It would be nice if the lawyer talks or explains in a converse manner, avoiding legal jargon that’s difficult to comprehend.

Why ask previous clients of a lawyer?

Asking previous clients of a lawyer can also help you visualize how professional they are in dealing with the same case problems.

When a family problem is at its worst and reaches the courts, the need for a good attorney is the

When a family problem is at its worst and reaches the courts, the need for a good attorney is the answer. Hiring a legal counsel requires specific measures to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer in your local area?

Furthermore, the location of the lawyer is also a factor. It’s much convenient hiring a lawyer in your local area to avoid stress in traveling during meetings.

How to find a good family law attorney?

Good ol’ word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a reliable family law attorney. Even if you get recommended a good real estate lawyer, we advise calling them. The community of lawyers is usually a close group, so he or she might know someone who can help. Contact your local bar association, ask local online communities – the more channels you use, the more candidates you will find.

What does a family law attorney do?

Family law attorneys work with cases that affect the interests of family members such as spouses with or without kids, grandparents, and children. From the very moment you start thinking about creating a family, you might find yourself in need of a top-notch family law attorney to draft a prenuptial agreement. It goes without saying that such lawyers are irreplaceable when it comes to divorce, alimony, or child custody issues.

What can a family lawyer do for you?

A family law attorney can act as a mediator, fighting for custody of your children, getting you back-owed child support, ...

What to do when you are in a domestic violence situation?

It's important to consult with a family law attorney as soon as possible in the middle of a domestic abuse situation. In addition to the police, an attorney can help you get full custody or file an order of protection to keep your family safe.

What is alimony in divorce?

Alimony: Also known as spousal support, alimony refers to the payments that one spouse provides for another after a divorce is finalized.

What happens when a spouse divorces?

When spouses divorce, questions of child custody and child support arise. Common family law issues include: Child custody: One or both parents may be granted physical custody to determine whether the children will live with one or both parents and whether one parent will have visitation rights.

How does divorce dissolve a marriage?

All states allow for no-fault divorces, in which one spouse files for divorce by stating a general reason, such as the inability to get along in the relationship.

What is a flat fee?

A flat fee. You pay a fixed payment amount. This is usually only offered if a case is very simple, such as an uncontested divorce. In addition, you may need to pay the following fees: Retainer fees. This is an upfront cost to secure the lawyer's services. The cost of services is usually deducted from the retainer.

Do both parents have legal custody?

One or both parents will also have legal custody, or the ability to make major decisions about the children's health care, education, and religion. Child support: By law, noncustodial parents must contribute a monthly amount to help provide for the children's expenses. A family court will determine the payment amount.

How to find a divorce attorney?

While an online search engine or your local bar association are both great places to begin looking, you may need to do more research to find the right attorney for your case. Many online search tools will group attorneys by practice areas and location. Once you’ve found a family law attorney in your area, check out the prospective attorneys’ websites. Do you think the website is tasteful? Does the attorney look professional? It can also be helpful to ask around and see if anyone in your network knows a prospective divorce attorney.

What should an attorney be?

You should like your attorney’s style and general demeanor. A good attorney will explain the process for your case and create a plan that's tailored for you.

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.

How to determine the reputation of a family law attorney?

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. Knowing how others in your area feel about an attorney can be a great source of insight when it comes time to make your decision.

Why do you hire a family law attorney?

When you hire the right family law attorney, they’ll help reduce some of the stress of the situation, as well as ensure that your rights are protected and that you get what you’re entitled to.

What happens if you consult with a lawyer who intimidates you?

If you consult with a lawyer who intimidates you, talks down to you, or tries to push you into a course of action you’re not comfortable with – this is not the attorney for you.

What does an attorney do for you?

An attorney will help you take steps to protect your rights, as well as those of any children you may have.

What is a lawyer for an ex?

The lawyer is a neutral party who will help you and your ex come to some important decisions in a calmer, more peaceful manner.

Should new attorneys be hired?

This isn’t to say that newer attorneys should never be hired. To the contrary, the skills and knowledge they’ve received at law school and internships allow them to care properly for their clients.

Is it worth hiring an attorney?

Hiring an attorney with more experience will be more expensive, but it will be worth it to ensure that you, your assets, and any children involved are protected.

How to find a lawyer for a lawsuit?

Here are a few other sources you can turn to for possible candidates in your search for a lawyer: 1 The director of your state or local chamber of commerce may be a good source of business lawyers. 2 The director of a nonprofit group interested in the subject matter that underlies your lawsuit is sure to know lawyers who work in that area. For example, if your dispute involves trying to stop a major new subdivision, it would make sense to consult an environmental group committed to fighting urban sprawl. 3 A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. 4 A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

How to connect with local lawyers?

Many sites, including Nolo.com, offer a way to connect with local lawyers based on your location and the type of legal case you have. You answer a few questions about your case and your contact information, then the right type of lawyers contact you directly. Talk to a local lawyer.

What is Nolo lawyer directory?

Nolo offers a unique lawyer directory that provides a comprehensive profile for each attorney with information that will help you select the right attorney. The profiles tell you about the lawyer's experience, education, and fees, and perhaps most importantly, the lawyer's general philosophy of practicing law.

How to get a lead on a sexual harassment case?

A better approach is to talk to people in your community who have experienced the same problem you face -- for example, if you have a claim of sexual harassment, talk to a women's group. Ask them who their lawyers were and what they think of them. If you talk to half a dozen people who have had a similar legal problem, chances are you'll come away with several good leads.

How much does a lawyer charge an hour?

Lawyers, of course, are prime sources of this information, but if you bought all the needed information at their rates -- $150 to $450 an hour -- you'd quickly empty your bank account.

What can a law librarian do?

A law librarian can help identify authors in your state who have written books or articles on a particular subject -- for example, construction law. A women's or men's support group will probably have a list of well-regarded family and divorce lawyers.

Do lawyers work with you?

Fortunately, many lawyers will work with you to help you acquire a good working knowledge of the legal principles and procedures you need to deal with your problem at least partly on your own. If you are hoping to represent yourself and use a lawyer only for advice, make sure the lawyer is open to that type of set-up.