I’m currently in a difficult situation and need to find a good family law attorney. I’ve been searching on Google, but all the ones I’ve come across have terrible reviews, and it’s making me anxious about the whole process. I really want to ensure that I’m hiring someone who has my best interests at heart and can effectively handle my case.
Does anyone have tips on how to find a reputable family law attorney? What should I look for in their qualifications or experience? Are there specific questions I should ask during the initial consultation to gauge whether they’re a good fit?
Look for an attorney who specializes in family law or mainly handles family stuff. Don’t just hire some DUI lawyer who’s trying to make a quick buck on the side.
Check out their record with the local Bar Association. If you meet with them and they promise you everything you want to hear, guarantee you great results, and just seem way too good to be true, they probably are…just looking to cash in.
Also, if you walk into their office and the secretary is using an old typewriter and the lawyer is still rocking WordPerfect on a dinosaur computer, it might be time to walk out…
I asked around to all my friends who got divorced. My lawyer was a top attorney and actually had great reviews on Avvo. He had also won a lot of rewards. But most important, my friend gave him rave reviews and other lawyers I interviewed said he was excellent. I am so, so grateful for the work he did on my case.
Juz keep in mind that reviews can be pretty hit or miss. Family law attorneys are often helping people during some of the toughest times in their lives. When someone says, “this lawyer was so rude and didn’t do anything for me,” it usually means, “my lawyer couldn’t work some magic to give me what I wanted, and it really bummed me out to hear no.” So, take those reviews with a grain of salt
We took some vacation days and spent time in family court just listening to how the lawyers handled things. We ended up finding a great one and literally chased him down the hall to get his card! Turns out, he was a defense lawyer with a psychology degree. He really knew how to get things done…
I pretty much did the same thing …studied as much as I could. Then I hired a paralegal to help type up my paperwork and handled the divorce myself. When I finally got custody, I used some of the money I saved to take the kids on vacation. It took my ex three years to pay off her attorney!
This is what I’d do. I work in courtrooms as a court reporter, so I always take note of attorneys who really stand out and are effective. Sometimes, people I know ask me for referrals, so it helps to keep track of the good ones…
Ask your friends who’ve been through this before. Just keep in mind that some attorneys pay people to name-drop in Facebook groups, so make sure you trust who you’re asking. If you don’t know anyone who’s used an attorney, head to the courthouse and ask the bailiffs—they know which lawyers the judges like…