There is nothing more important than family – so when it comes to legal matters concerning your family, it is important that you get the right person to represent your legal interests. Hiring the right lawyer can certainly make a difference in your familial dynamic and it should be something that you put careful thought into. Here is a list of things you want to take into consideration when choosing the family law attorney that is right for you.
Find an Attorney You can Trust
You hire an attorney because they are experts in the legal field, right? For that reason you should be able to trust what their opinion is and feel good about following their direction. To get the most out of your money, it is important that you feel comfortable listening to the guidance of your attorney – you are both working towards the same goal in the end. That is not to say you should just follow them blindly- if you don’t understand something, certainly ask for clarification. They do not want you to be in the dark just as much as you do not want to be in the dark. It is incredibly beneficial to have an attorney that can clearly explain things to you. The law is confusing but that does not mean you need to be confused!
Communication is key
I mentioned that you want to feel good about listening to your attorney but that goes both ways. You should also feel like your attorney is truly listening and understanding what you have to say, not simply hearing the words that are coming out of your mouth. After all, you are the expert when it comes to knowing your own situation. You may also feel vulnerable talking about your situation and it is important that you can comfortably talk to your attorney, even when emotions are involved. You should never feel judged by your attorney, they are your partner in these legal matters.
Your Attorney will have Boundaries
Keep in mind that when hiring an experienced attorney, you are not their only client. This means that they are likely not able to respond immediately to your requests at all hours of the day and night. This should be seen as a positive as you do not want your family in the hands of somebody who is entirely new to the game. The more clients your attorney has helped and the more your attorney ensures that they take care of themselves, the chances are better that they have seen a case similar to your own and they feel more confident they can help you.
What is the Law Firm Like?
Although you are hiring an attorney and not an entire firm, it may be beneficial to see how the law firm operates as a whole. Do the attorneys seem to work together and ask each other questions or are they entirely independent of one another? This can be important because if you hire an attorney who works closely with the rest of their firm, you are benefiting off of the expertise of that entire group and not only the individual attorney that you hired. This aspect does not need to be the end all be all of your decision, but it may make you more confident that your money is being well spent.
At the end of the day, you will feel much more confident in your case if you are confident that your attorney has your best interest in mind. The only way to guarantee that is by having open and honest conversation between yourself and your attorney.
If you or somebody you know is navigating the family law system, our team at Modern Legal is here to help.
Written by: Allyson R. Koop
