Many times, people don’t think about needing a family lawyer until
the situation is out of hand. When you’re looking for an attorney, you may be
under pressure and financially strapped, so it’s important to make sure you
choose wisely so that you don’t waste time or money while going through the
legal process. Here are some tips to help you pick a good attorney for your
family.
Before you start to make calls to a lawyer, know what you want. A
divorce that can be mediated is much different than one where you’re facing
domestic violence or a long custody battle. Determine your own circumstances so
that you are not heavily influenced by the expertise of your attorney. Have a
list of your priorities to see how the attorney will fit in with your goals.
You need to be realistic with your attorney. Your lawyer is not
your therapist or coach. They are there to direct you through the legal
process. Make sure that you can work with your attorney on that level. You are
paying them for their legal expertise, not for them to be your sounding board
about your anger. Use your money wisely.
Choose an attorney with whom you can be perfectly honest and up
front. You may have things that are embarrassing to discuss, but you have to
let them know so that they can prepare. Your attorney is not there to judge,
but to protect your interests, and that of your children.
Make sure that your attorney matches your goals. Sure, the goal
might be a divorce. However, if you want to mediate the settlement instead of
litigate, your attorney needs to be on board. They should also be focused on
gaining what’s important to you and not using your children as weapons. Good
attorneys listen to their clients, and make sure that their wishes are
respected.
When selecting your family attorney, make sure that they don’t
make promises. The law is capricious, and while many attorneys have a lot of
success, they cannot guarantee the outcome. During your consultation, watch how
they interact with you. If they take calls or seem distracted, it is a bad
sign. You want them to be respectful of your time, just as they expect you to
be respectful of theirs.
The right family lawyer makes all the difference in your legal
proceedings. Take the time to interview your selection before signing a
contract to ensure that you can work with them towards creating a better
future. To learn more about choosing a family law attorney in La Quinta, click here.