how to find family law attorney

• The American Bar Association maintains a database of local bar associations. ...
• Use your state’s bar association website. Each state bar association keeps a directory of attorneys on their website. ...
• Use a public-interest website. For example, LawHelp.org focuses on helping low-income individuals find attorneys.
• Use an online directory. Many websites offer searchable directories of attorneys. Popular directories include those found at Lawyers.com, LawInfo.com, and FindLaw.com. ...
• Check the local yellow pages. Look at the attorney ads in the yellow pages of your phone book. Write down any contact information for those who advertise family-law services. ...
Use your favorite search engine to search for local family-law attorneys.
Ask for a recommendation from family or friends who have experienced the same problem you’re facing. ...
Ask your attorney for a referral. If you already have an attorney for other matters, but you need one that specializes in family law, your attorney may be able to ...

Full Answer

How do I find a good family law lawyer?

Jan 30, 2020 · Search for a Family Law Attorney Near the Area Where Your Case Will be Filed Hiring a family law attorney near the area where your case will be filed is beneficial because the attorney will be familiar with the court staff, judges, and court buildings. This can make proceedings go smoother and make it easier to file paperwork.

What to look for in a family law attorney?

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 become a family law attorney?

Family law professionals offer a number of payment arrangements to suit the financial needs of their clients. Common fee structures include: An hourly rate. You pay for every hour your lawyer works on your case. This is the most common arrangement …

How to select a family lawyer?

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Determine Whether a Family Law Attorney Can Help

Some people are not clear about the areas that a family law attorney can help. Here are several issues where you would want a family law attorney on your side rather than another type of lawyer:

Search for a Family Law Attorney Near the Area Where Your Case Will be Filed

Hiring a family law attorney near the area where your case will be filed is beneficial because the attorney will be familiar with the court staff, judges, and court buildings. This can make proceedings go smoother and make it easier to file paperwork.

Check Online Reviews

Online reviews can be a good resource when you want to know about an 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.

How to Find a Family Law Attorney: Look for Expertise

The outcome of a family law case can drastically impact your life. When you’re wondering how to find a family law attorney remember to look for one who has experience in the issue you need help with.

Make Sure the Attorney Has Time for Your Case

Although you can’t expect your attorney to devote all of their time and attention to your case, you want to make sure the attorney has the time needed to handle your case. You want the attention that your case deserves to give you a better chance of a positive outcome.

Make a List & Narrow Your Choices

After doing your research, make a list of a few attorneys you are considering. Some offices offer a free first consultation where you can ask several questions about your cars. With others, you may be able to ask questions over the phone. Whichever the case, you want to be sure to ask the following questions:

Ask Your Attorney What Their Plan of Action Would Be

After hearing the specifics of your case, your attorney should have a basic plan of action. How do they plan on preparing for your case? What information or documents will you need to provide? What are the steps that need to be taken? These are all questions that your attorney should be able to answer as they devise their plan of action.

What can a family law attorney do?

A family law attorney can act as a mediator, fighting for custody of your children, getting you back-owed child support, and negotiating for you on cases of alimony. Select your state or city to find an attorney near you.

What is family law?

Family law attorneys deal with issues related to family life and domestic relationships, including spousal relationships and parent-child relationships.

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.

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.

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.

What is an identified adoption?

These include adoptions in which the birth mother and the adoptive parents become acquainted independently and seek the help of an adoption agency to finalize the process. International adoptions. These include adoptions in which the parents bring a child from another country into the family.

What to do if you don't qualify for legal aid?

If you don't qualify for assistance from legal aid, you might qualify for a state or local bar association program. Bar associations often have pro bono programs that offer assistance to people who meet other criteria, even if their income is too high for legal aid.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

The Campbell Law Group PA

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The Walton Law Firm, PLLC

The law is the most valuable when it prevents people, familes, businesses and communities are protected from wrongful actions and from suffering inju... Read More#N#stices. In instances where injustice has already occured, then the law must ensure that those injured are fairly compensated.

Mott Marvin Kornicki, Notary

Mott has been a Florida Notary Public for over 30 years! Experience in Apostille Signing "Authentications", Mobil Signing Agent, Mortgage Closing Doc... Read More

The SG Law Firm PLLC

We are attorney who Establish, Maintain, Protect and Defend Businesses and Families. We have unwavering integrity.

Law Office Of Sara J. Saba, P.A

Attorney Sara Saba has specialized in all Divorce and Family law matters since 2004 and represents clients in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.... Read More

Law Office Of Jerome P. Ventura PA

Divorce/Child Support/Paternity/Father's Rights/Alimony Mediation Services Contested and Uncontested Divorces & Family Law Cases www.jeromepventu... Read More#N#ra.com

THE DEUTSCH LAW FIRM PLLC

We are a boutique firm handling Prenuptial Agreements, Post Nuptial Agreements, Wills, Trust & Estates, Divorce and Personal Injury and Medical M... Read More

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

Keep in mind, Chapter 7 bankruptcy information stays on your credit report for 10 years. This can make it hard to get credit, buy a home, receive life insurance, or get a job. Learn more about bankruptcy, and other options for dealing with debt .

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

How long can you be in jail for a crime?

Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes.

Can you be incarcerated for six months?

If you are accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to be represented by a lawyer in any case in which you could be incarcerated for six months or more. State constitutions may guarantee your right to a lawyer for lesser crimes. If you cannot afford a lawyer, either the judge hearing the case will appoint a private lawyer to represent you free of charge or the government’s public defender will handle your case, also at no charge.

Family law and divorce credentials

The first thing to consider when you set out to find a family law or divorce attorney is whether the attorney’s practice is focused on family law and divorce or does he/she do a little bit of everything? Family law and divorce is one of the most challenging and complex areas of legal practice.

Online Reviews

Are there positive reviews of the family law or divorce lawyer or law firm online for you to see? Are the reviews informative or just numbers based on simple criteria such as years of practice? What is stated in the reviews? Do the reviews indicate traits or skills that you are looking for? Does the lawyer or law firm have client reviews posted or available for you to view? Are the reviews positive? What attorney or law firm traits are mentioned in the reviews? Also, do the attorneys have profiles or ratings on www.Avvo.com? Are the ratings on the websites at least a “good” or better ?.

Attorney or law firm website

Have you learned about the potential attorney from his or her website? What impression did you get from the website? What attorney or law firm traits are recognizable from the website and did they appeal to you? Does the attorney or law firm appear to share your values and seem likely to represent you in the way that you want to be represented?

Mediation training

Does the attorney have mediation skills? Is he or she educated or involved in alternate dispute resolution? Attorneys who have been trained as mediators or collaborators have refined negotiation and mediation skills. Settlement and negotiation can save you a lot of money and emotional strain if it means no litigation.

Law Firm Technology

Does the firm utilize modern technology for communication and case management? Is the technology available for online document sharing and collaboration? How about video conferencing and secure messaging capabilities?

Appellate Experience

Has the attorney handled appeals to the Virginia Court of Appeals or Supreme Court involving family law or divorce issues? Appeals involve the practice of law at it s highest form. Not all attorneys handle appeals due to their complexity and difficulty.

Personality

Taking everything into consideration, do you feel like you could work well with the attorney you are considering? Family law and divorce cases are frequently emotional and straining. Do you feel as if the attorney you are considering will be empathetic, committed, understanding, and willing to speak with you openly and honestly about your case?

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.

What is a lawyer referral service?

Lawyer referral services are another source of information. There is a wide variation in the quality of lawyer referral services, however, even though they are required to be approved by the state bar association. Some lawyer referral services carefully screen attorneys and list only those attorneys with particular qualifications and a certain amount of past experience, while other services will list any attorney in good standing with the state bar who maintains liability insurance. Before you choose a lawyer referral service, ask what its qualifications are for including an attorney and how carefully lawyers are screened.

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 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.