6 Questions To Ask Yourself When Trying To Hire The Right Lawyer – So, you’ve come to the decision that you need to hire a family lawyer to help with an upcoming divorce, child-custody battle, adoption, or another legal matter. The good news is your options for quality representation are seemingly endless, and maybe a few friends referred you names of a few practices to look into.
But how do you narrow your search, especially if you’ve already met with several lawyers?
Start by asking yourself these six questions:
Did we connect?
The first step in any family law case is not only to have the best representation possible but also have a true advocate in your corner – someone who sees you as more than a case number. Take note of chemistry, how interested they were in you and your family, and the facts of the case. Did they speak objectively with you about your family dynamic and what your goals are? Lastly, did the lawyer offer practical advice, even if it meant talking you out of pursuing a legal claim?
Did they promise the world?
As much as lawyers would love to win every case they represent, it’s just not realistic. Every case, even those where you have an extremely good chance of coming out top, involve give and take from both parties and plenty of emotion. If the lawyer you met with promised you the world, maybe you should ask a few more questions and proceed with caution. A quality lawyer will be realistic and will always tell you the truth, even if it’s painful to hear.
Have they been in your shoes before?
I’ve long said being a child of divorce makes me uniquely qualified to sit with individuals – especially parents – who may be nearing divorce and give them practical and sound advice. Yes, I am a lawyer, but I am compassionate about families and the impact a divorce has on the people that make up that family. It’s not fair to expect every lawyer has been in your shoes before, but having someone with a healthy perspective on your side is a great place to start.
Does the lawyer have experience with your type of case?
Not every aspect of a family law case is black and white. There’s quite a bit of gray area in there, which can make determining the right course of action extremely complicated. Once all the details of your case are on the table, ask the lawyer to provide examples of similar cases and how they handled them. A good lawyer will be able to answer that question, and if they can’t, they’ll be upfront about it and put you in touch with someone who can.
Were they easy to contact?
Lawyers are extremely busy and have plenty of clients to take care of each day, but you should never feel like you are jumping through hoops to get a callback or learn more details about your case. A family lawyer dedicated to building trusting relationships won’t be difficult to find.
How do they charge?
Do they charge by the hour or by the case? If hourly, what time increment do they bill at; .10, .20, or .25 of an hour? Are there hidden fees you need to be aware of, especially if the lawyer needs to seek help from an outside professional to give you the representation you deserve? What are the lawyer’s expectations, and do they provide a monthly statement showing services rendered and the itemized charges?
Call Nelson Law Group Today!!
When you are faced with a family law case, the right attorney will give you practical legal advice that you can use to get through the legal difficulties with which you are presented. At the Nelson Law Group, PC, we listen to you and then provide a straightforward evaluation of your case.
Give our knowledgeable staff here at Nelson Law Group, PC a call if you have any further questions regarding this – or any other – issue. Our staff is always available.
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