A family law case is often a stressful and personal situation. The outcome can permanently alter your family structure, your financial circumstances, and other parts of your life. Because of the sensitivity of these cases, it is essential that you secure legal support from the right Topeka family attorney.
Whether you are in a case for divorce, child custody and support, court order modification, paternity determinations, or other family law cases, you need to find a skilled, dedicated, and compassionate family law attorney. There are many things you should look at prior to speaking with an attorney, including experience and reputation.
When you have an initial consultation, you should be prepared with certain questions about the attorney’s abilities, their past work, and what can be done in your unique situation. Some questions you should ask include:
What Is Your Family Law Experience?
Your first determination should be whether an attorney has relevant and practical experience and education in family law, particularly in the type of case you need representation in. Ask an attorney about their out-of-court experience as well as their trial experience. If you anticipate your case will go to trial, you should ensure your attorney knows how to navigate high-stress cases.
Determining if the attorney’s experience is relevant to your family law case is important. An attorney may have general family law experience but not know how to navigate a divorce with a prenuptial agreement or high-asset child custody issues. When your attorney has worked cases similar to yours, it can take a lot of the guesswork out and make your case go more smoothly.
You should determine if an attorney focuses primarily on family law cases. If you are getting a divorce and you or your spouse are business owners, an attorney who also practices business law may be beneficial. However, if an attorney focuses more on other areas of law than they do in family law, they may have insufficient experience to handle your case.
Do You Create Strong Professional Relationships With Your Clients?
It is important that your attorney builds strong and reliable relationships with clients. An attorney’s ability to understand a unique individual, their family, and their needs is an important aspect of successfully navigating a family law case. When an attorney builds lasting client relationships, they are likely more focused on collaborative and beneficial results.
How Responsive Are You During a Case, and What Is Your Current Caseload?
An attorney’s ability to get back to you when you have concerns or unexpected changes is important in the efficiency and quality of their legal service. If an attorney is too busy with other cases to respond when needed, it may not be the right time for their legal support. Understanding the availability of an attorney and how busy they currently are helps you avoid uncertainty when you have questions. It can also help you pick the right legal support for your needs.
How Do You Charge?
Divorce is expensive, and legal costs can be substantial. Other family law cases are not as costly as divorce but can still have significant fees. It is important to know upfront how you will be charged. You could be charged an hourly rate or a flat rate. If your family law case takes time to resolve, hourly fees can slowly build up. Attorneys that charge an hourly rate may also require an up-front retainer, reserving their services for a period of time.
FAQs
Q: What Are Three Questions You Should Ask a Family Lawyer Before Hiring Them?
A: Three questions you should ask a family lawyer before hiring them include:
- What is your experience in family law and in this specific area of family law?
- What are your experience and past case outcomes for cases similar to mine?
- What are your attorney costs, and what would the likely cost of representation for my case be?
Ensuring your attorney has the right qualifications and knowledge to handle your case is crucial.
Q: How Do You Tell a Family Lawyer What You Want?
A: It can be helpful to prepare a list prior to talking with your family lawyer, listing your goals and priorities. If you are working with a family lawyer for a divorce case, list what you are hoping for during the process and as an outcome. Determine if you are prioritizing securing specific assets, getting financial support, getting shared custody, or other goals. An attorney should ask you questions to further understand your goals.
Q: What Is Important to Do Before Selecting a Family Lawyer?
A: Before selecting a family lawyer, it is important to review their licensure, qualifications, professional reputation, and client reviews. This can help you understand their general reputation and ability to provide legal services for their clients.
If you have an initial meeting with an attorney, it is important to determine if they make you feel comfortable and listened to. If you feel dismissed or not important by an attorney, you should likely find other options for representation.
Q: Is It Wise to Tell Your Family Lawyer Everything?
A: Yes, it is wise to tell your family lawyer everything. You may be getting a divorce, navigating a custody case after separation, or trying to modify family court orders. Your attorney can only properly protect you and your family’s interests if they understand the full extent of the story.
Failing to provide information about assets, relationships, or circumstances is not wise. Your spouse or co-parent’s attorney may uncover the issue, and you and your attorney will be at a disadvantage.
Finding the Right Legal Guidance During Your Family Law Case in Topeka
Choosing a family law attorney is not a choice you should take lightly. There are many personal and financial consequences that can occur from a poorly handled family law case, including one you try to manage without an attorney. Look for an attorney who is compassionate, skilled, and able to protect your family’s interests. Contact Stange Law Firm today and learn what we can do for you.
