When it comes to family law, choosing the right attorney is critical.
The actions of your attorney will go a long way to deciding your case, so you need to make sure you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing. Not only will the outcome depend on your representation, the cost of the journey to get there will be determined by this choice.
But how can you tell if an attorney is right for you?
Here are a few tips.
1. Choose an attorney who is focused exclusively on family law.
Family law is a complex and nuanced area of the law, so you will want to ensure that your attorney has significant experience handling these cases. You will also want to ensure that your attorney is familiar with the specific laws in your province, as they can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.
In addition to finding an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney, you will also want to ensure that you are comfortable with them. This is important because you will need to share sensitive and personal information with your attorney throughout your case. You should feel confident that your attorney will treat you with respect and compassion and that they have your best interests at heart.
If you are dealing with a family law issue, chances are good that it is a difficult and emotional time for you. Having an experienced and caring attorney by your side can make all the difference.
To avoid making common, sometimes disastrous mistakes, it is essential to have an experienced attorney by your side. Family law issues can be complex and emotional, and having a knowledgeable attorney to help you recognize certain danger signs, guide you away from the rockier bits of terrain – who seeks to reduce conflict – can make all the difference!
2. Choose an attorney who is familiar with the local court system.
The court system is complicated, often imperfect and each province has its own rules and procedures. You want to ensure that your attorney practices in the areas of law that are relevant to your case. Ideally, your attorney is familiar with the court system in the jurisdiction where you will have your case heard, as well as with the people who make up that system. It’s important that your lawyer has earned the respect of these people.
Obviously, if you have been accused of a crime, you will want an attorney specializing in criminal defense, and if you are going through a divorce, you will want an attorney specializing in family law. But, it’s important to recognize that just as there are great differences between marriages, there are also vastly different divorce cases and it can solve a lot of problems if your lawyer has already tried a case similar to yours. For example, if your ex partner has gone off the radar, you may need a lawyer who has experience with finding or working around this factor to obtain your divorce or support payments. If you’re seeking to move the children to another school, you need someone with experience in making these arguments, otherwise you will be paying extra for your counsel to learn the ropes from scratch regarding these aspects of your case.
When meeting with potential attorneys, ask about their experience with the court system in the region where your case will be heard and whether they practice in the area of law that is relevant to your lawsuit. Are you a member of the LGBTQ community? Ask if they have represented LGBTQ clients and whether there is anything to be aware of. Is your spouse trying to leave the country or province with the children? Ask if they have encountered this before, and how it turned out. Is your spouse under-reporting their income? This is common, and any lawyer in family law should be well-versed in how to approach this problem. Are you a victim of parental alienation? Definitely ask about this, because not all attorneys recognize this phenomenon as a legitimate problem. Has your spouse returned to their country of origin with all of the family assets? Ask the lawyer how they approached this in the past, and what the outcome was. Is your spouse … a divorce lawyer? Give us a call, we’ll see what we can do.
An experienced attorney will know the specific requirements and deadlines that you must meet to avoid having your case dismissed or delayed. Contact our office today to discuss your case with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.
3. Choose an attorney who has a good reputation.
When it comes to choosing your lawyer, their track record is what counts. Do they respect the process, or are they known for wasting court (and client!) time, filibustering for days on end with no real case to make? Have they achieved successful outcomes for their clients? If you’re unsure where to begin, ask for referrals from friends or family members who have been in a similar situation. Check the lawyer’s reported decisions on Canlii to find out about their litigation track record. (Unfortunately, if you are looking for a mediation advocate, there will be no public record of this work. You will need to rely solely on their litigation clients’ reviews. Clients who choose mediation or arbitration tend to hold privacy at such a premium that they are far less likely than usual to have any online presence, or to leave reviews for services).
Next, check the website of the Law Society of BC to see whether the lawyer you are considering has a citation against them but keep in mind that if they are the owner of the law firm, citations may simply reflect common mistakes made by the firm’s employees.
Go online and see if you can find authentic reviews or testimonials from past clients. Then, set up a consultation with that lawyer, and see whether they give you clear, straightforward advice.
This will give you a good idea of what it’s like to work with the attorney and whether they’re likely to get results in your case.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to discuss them with the attorney.
Choosing an attorney is essential, so take your time and make sure you choose someone you feel good about working with.
4. Choose an experienced attorney.
Experience is essential when choosing an attorney. You want to ensure you’re working with someone who has been through this before and knows what they’re doing. It is essential if you have a complex case.
Additionally, it’s helpful to read reviews of attorneys online. This can give you an idea of what others have thought about their experience working with the lawyer. Make sure to read both positive and negative reviews to understand the attorney’s strengths and weaknesses.
When meeting with an attorney, ask questions about their experience. Find out how long they’ve been practicing law and how many cases they’ve handled like yours. Also, ask about their success rate in court and whether they’ve ever had a case go to trial.
It’s so essential to make sure you feel comfortable with the attorney. This is someone you’ll be working closely with, so it’s necessary that you feel like you can trust them. Be honest about your expectations and ask questions if there’s anything you don’t understand.
Finally, be sure to discuss fees upfront. You want to ensure you’re on the same page regarding how much the lawyer will charge and what type of payment they accept. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations, so take advantage of this opportunity to get to know them better and to ask any questions you have.
5. Choose an attorney who you feel comfortable with.
This is perhaps the essential factor to consider when choosing an attorney. You must ensure you feel comfortable with the attorney you’re working with.
This is someone you’ll be sharing intimate details of your life with, so it’s essential that you feel comfortable confiding in them. Consider how well you communicate with the attorney and if they make you feel at ease.
You should also be sure to ask about their experience in handling cases like yours. You must have an attorney who is familiar with the law and has experience dealing with your type of case. Additionally, you should make sure you are comfortable with their legal team. This is the group of people working on your case behind the scenes, so you want to be sure they are competent and qualified.
You must also make sure you can afford the attorney’s fees. Ask about their fee structure and be sure you are comfortable with it before moving forward.
These are just a few factors you should consider when choosing an attorney. Be sure to research and take your time to find the best possible fit for your case.
These are just a few things to remember when choosing a family law attorney.
If you take your time and research, you’re sure to find an attorney who is a good fit for you and your case.
Fleetwood Family Law is a Surrey-based law firm that specializes in family law.
Our experienced attorneys are familiar with the local court system and have a reputation for getting results.
We offer free consultations, so contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.