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Are you struggling to understand what makes a good family lawyer? It’s the most critical decision you’ll make. The ideal lawyer protects and understands you. The wrong lawyer exacerbates your legal concerns. Family law matters like child custody or divorce are stressful enough. You don’t want a lawyer that works against you. We want to make the decision clearer.
Here are 7 things to consider when selecting a family lawyer
Key Insights
- Find a family lawyer with expertise specific to your circumstances
- Use online reviews to understand a lawyer’s approach and their team’s professionalism. Remember that each case is unique.
- A lawyer with a local connection to Caloundra can provide insights into the local court system and community.
- Your lawyer should communicate clearly. They should explain your case, the process, and potential outcomes.
- Your lawyer should have skills in both mediation and litigation.
- Solicitors provide various fee options. This helps you find the best family lawyer within your budget.
- You should feel comfortable with your lawyer, as they will assist you through the challenging process.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist gives you the crucial steps to make an informed choice when selecting the right family lawyer.
Your simplified guide to choosing the right family lawyer
Follow these simple steps
Step one: Check their specialisation.
Step two: Determine their experience.
Online reviews
Step one: Look for recent reviews.
Step two: Check for consistent points.
Step three: Read any family law firm responses.
Step four: Filter out fake reviews.
Local connection
Step one: Look for activities they perform in the community.
Step two: Determine their reputation with the community.
Communication
Step one: Assess the lawyer’s ability to simplify complex family law issues.
Step two: Determine how available they are to respond to queries.
Mediation and litigation skills
Step one: Understand their approach to mediation.
Step two: Check their track record in court.
Family lawyer Fees
Step one: Check what fee options they have available.
Step two: See how flexible they can be.
Personal comfort
Step one: Consider your intuition about the lawyer.
Step two: Assess how well their legal representation matches your personal needs.
7 things to consider when selecting the ideal family lawyer
1. Specific Family Law Expertise
What is the lawyer’s expertise in family law? This is a complex field that requires deep understanding and the ability to navigate the Family Court system.
Check their specialisation
Seek family law lawyers who specialise in relevant cases. A divorce lawyer may prioritise alternative dispute resolution methods and even disavow court litigation. Some lawyers won’t draft binding financial agreements, preferring to settle property matters through court orders instead.
Determine their experience
Find a lawyer that has represented clients in similar situations to yours. Navigating the complexities of difficult parenting arrangements or complicated property pools require specific experience. No two custody disputes are the same. Jurisdictional issues, relocation orders and the like are difficult to handle. Likewise, trusts, unique assets and self-managed superfunds complicate settlements significantly.
Check their academic contributions
Some lawyers make formal academic contributions to legal knowledge. They can demonstrate their expertise by publishing articles in law journals or delivering talks at law conferences. This can show that they’re on the cutting edge of legal practice.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist gives you the crucial steps to make an informed choice when selecting the right family lawyer.
2. Online Reviews
Online reviews are insightful. People often read Google reviews first to vet a service. They can help you understand the lawyer’s approach, their team’s professionalism, and their ability to achieve the best possible result. For example, here’s a taste of the reviews Ferrall and Co. Lawyers has received:
Rowena and Layla were outstanding in their level of service for our family during an extremely difficult time.
– Trevor Morrison
Rowena and her team at Ferrall & Co. went above and beyond to help me achieve what no other firm I previously engaged were able to do.
– James Walker
Look for recent reviews
An experienced divorce lawyer will likely have been practicing law for over a decade. A lot can change in that time. A lawyer may have committed some form of misconduct that’s not reported in early reviews. The most recent reviews will provide the most accurate perspective on their current services.
Check for consistent points
Do online reviews consistently mention the same points? Common through lines like commenting on their professionalism or depth of expertise can build up a picture of what you can expect. Read as many reviews as you can to get the most accurate assessment of which elements of their service come to the fore. Read a range of reviews as well. Focusing on positive or negative reviews can give you a skewed perspective.
Read any family law firm responses
It’s important to consider how a law firm responds to reviews. The best family lawyer will respond to as many reviews as possible, particularly negative reviews. Do they express concern and understanding, or do they law the blame on the reviewer and refuse to take accountability? An experienced family lawyer who takes the time to engage with reviewers demonstrates a willingness to communicate.
Filter out fake reviews
Not all reviews may be legitimate. They can be difficult to spot, and you shouldn’t just assume that any particular review is fake. However, there are some tell-tale signs to look for. Is the review overly critical or praising to the extent that it seems out of step with most other reviews? The reviewer may have an agenda. Fake reviews may also use vague language. Does the review avoid providing details about the experience? This can suggest that the reviewer never used the lawyer’s services. Several reviews may be worded very similarly. This could indicate review bombing. Remember that no single factor is conclusive.
3. Local connection is important
Ferrall & Co Family Lawyers in Caloundra are familiar with the community and its unique dynamics. This can benefit your case. A solid local connection can also mean a more personalised service and a better understanding of the local community. As Pro Bono Australia reports: Boards and executive management also require a greater understanding of the potential business benefits that flow from deeper engagement with the community. Look for firms that have demonstrated this understanding.
Look for activities they perform in the community
Law firms should actively participate in their community. Some firms hold free seminars to provide legal education to community members. Other firms have a track record in supporting their community through sponsorships of sports teams or local events. Many law firms also offer a certain amount of pro bono work. This shows a desire to go beyond a profit motive and care for people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford effective representation.
Determine their reputation with the community
Speak with friends and family members who live in the community to check if they have experience with local family lawyers. Keep up-to-date with local news to check if a firm has received any press, whether good or bad. There are also many community awards given to local businesses who have demonstrated a commitment to their local community. Has the firm won or been considered for such an award?
4. Communication with family lawyers
The lawyer and their staff should help you navigate the Family Court system. This can be one of the trickiest areas. To illustrate, one of our clients mentioned that before working with us, she “had a lot of bad experiences in the past and I had always found it challenging to explain and help professionals understand such a complex case“. This makes life exceptionally difficult.
Assess the lawyer’s ability to simplify complex family law issues
The legal process has a lot of jargon. This can make it difficult to follow. A good lawyer ensures that you understand your situation and can make informed decisions. Pay attention to how they explain your options. If they don’t make sure that you’re following, they’re unlikely concerned with empowering you to approach your case confidently.
Determine how available they are to respond to queries
Specialist family lawyers are busy. However, they should always make time to respond to a client’s queries. Assess their availability by contacting them through their website. If it takes days for them to respond, look elsewhere. Also, consider what avenues are open to connect with them. A good family law lawyer will be happy to communicate via email, over the phone or in person when possible. All clients are different. Some are happy to let a lawyer handle all legal issues. Others prefer to stay updated and be as active as they can. Lawyers should be sensitive to these needs.
5. Mediation and Litigation Skills
Family law concerns may or may not involve court intervention. If mediation isn’t viable, a lawyer’s courtroom experience will be crucial.
Understand their approach to mediation
Family law matters are often resolved through mediation. This saves clients from stressful court battles. Having good negotiation skills is important for a lawyer. Divorce lawyers should prioritise dispute resolution as the first option for all parties involved. Successful dispute resolution can lead to fairer property divisions and healthier co-parenting arrangements. Such arrangements make it easier for children to maintain a positive relationship with both parents. A firm that doesn’t take any opportunity to find amicable solutions should be avoided.
Check their track record in court
Family law is often contentious. While we always recommend mediation if possible, sometimes litigation is necessary. Your lawyer should be able to represent you effectively in court. Ask them about their experience in court situations during an initial consultation. There are a lot of challenges when attending court hearings. Preparation is key. An effective family attorney takes the time to gather necessary evidence and testimonies from witnesses. This ensures the best possible conclusion for your case.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist gives you the crucial steps to make an informed choice when selecting the right family lawyer.
6. Fees for family lawyers
Solicitors should be transparent and provide a price estimate. The most expensive lawyer is not necessarily the best. The goal is to find a family lawyer to provide the best possible outcome for your case within your budget.
Check what fee options they have available
Firms often have different fee structures available. Some services may be provided on a fixed-fee basis. Others may operate through an hourly rate. These can have their pros and cons. Fixed-fee services can make it easier for clients to understand potential legal costs. However, there may be less flexibility in the services provided. On the other hand, an hourly rate can make it easier to tailor services more specifically. This can lead to costs extending beyond a client’s means, though. The more options they have in their fee structure, the better they can suit your financial means.
See how flexible they can be
Clients are often in a financially precarious position. They still deserve effective legal representation. For example, to lessen the burden of legal fees, they may agree to defer their fees until after the case is completed. Some law firms are preferred legal aid suppliers. They should be able to assist you with applying for legal aid support so that you can access effective legal advice without significantly impacting your financial circumstances.
7. Personal Comfort
Lastly, you should feel comfortable with your lawyer. You will need to share personal and sometimes uncomfortable details with this person. You should feel they are on your side, ready to assist and walk you through this challenging process. A lawyer matched to your needs will ensure you feel supported and understood throughout the process.
Consider your intuition about the lawyer
First impressions count for a lot. If you have any doubts about them from your initial meeting, that may be a sign that they’re not the firm for you. This can seem difficult to quantify. However, you should come to understand which lawyer connects better with you on a human level.
Assess how well they match your personal needs
Take a holistic view. Do you like their communication? Some people value empathy and understanding. Others prefer a no-nonsense approach. Do they listen to how you would like to proceed? Lawyers who aren’t prepared to consider your individual needs aren’t worth the money.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist gives you the crucial steps to make an informed choice when selecting the right family lawyer.
Final Conclusion in finding the right family lawyer
The right family lawyer should meet various factors. In Caloundra, Ferrall and Co. Lawyers can help you resolve your family law matter.
Proper research ensures you make the best decision. Whether it’s a divorce, parenting arrangement or property settlement, the perfect lawyer will make all the difference. Choosing poorly can result in a traumatic experience that affects you for years.
Additionally, we aim to help you choose the right family lawyer for your needs. Check out our blog for a list of Caloundra’s 6 best family lawyers and find the perfect match for your situation.
Don’t let legal issues stress you out. Contact us today for a free consultation.
