How to Locate a Family Law Attorney with Free Consultations in Your Area
Advantages of Hiring a Family Law Attorney with Free Consultation
When it comes to selecting a family law lawyer, having a legal adviser who offers a free consultation to the public is a great way to vet which attorney you want to hire. Usually, when someone speaks of planning to interview several divorce lawyers, they are not too happy about the prospect. Providing and advertising that legal counsel offers a free consultation in his/her field of practice encourages potential clients to ask questions without spending large sums of money. For example, in the initial visit to a free family law attorney, the potential client might wish to know what forms are legally required to file for a divorce, or how a divorce lawyer will help solve the more complicated aspects of the divorce such as the division of property or custody of children . Meeting with a family law attorney, free offers the potential client an opportunity to compare experiences and styles in a non-pressured setting, determining the lawyer’s expertise is worth the price of hiring. Feel assured that within minutes of meeting your lawyer for a consultation, first impressions matter and you will know if he or she can fulfill your expectations or not. Having just spent time reviewing your divorce documentation and answering questions while offering advice, you should know whether or not to continue with representation or move on to the next family lawyer on your list. Please understand that even though the first visit is at no charge to the potential client, many leave believing that they have the best family law attorney on speed-dial! By offering free consultations, potential clients are drawn toward the positive benefits and often unequaled experiences offered by the family lawyer interviewed.
Types of Family Law Services
There are a number of different services that are offered by the best family law attorneys. The majority of these legal professionals are able to help you with your divorce proceedings including the filing and representation at court hearings. Among the most difficult aspects of divorce proceedings is child custody arrangements. Using a family law attorney to advocate for your personal interests can make this situation much easier.
In addition to divorce and child custody cases, the services offered by family law attorneys often include property settlements, post-separation maintenance, child support recovery, and spousal maintenance. Many people work with a family law attorney to change their legal name and to draft and execute subsequent agreements related to the divorce or separation.
If you have never gone through the experience of separating with a spouse, having a free consultation with a family law attorney may be a wise decision. This allows the attorney to walk you through the most likely situation and to recommend additional services that you might need based on their experience.
How to Search for a Family Law Attorney Near You
The convenience of searching for "family law attorney near me" allows you to eliminate those practitioners that are located further away from you. Remember that most Family Law lawyers charge for their travel time, so avoiding a long commute can result in significant savings. There are several ways to look for a local matrimonial attorney, and we will examine each below.
Online Resources
As it relates to looking for an "affordable family law attorney near me," the internet is an invaluable tool. There are a number of sites that aggregate reviews of attorneys to allow you to judge their reputation and feedback from their clients. There is always the obvious Google search for "best family law attorney near me," but those results are often skewed.
Local Directories
The Yellow Pages still have some utility for finding a lawyer, especially if you are looking for results "near me." You can also use online directories such as Findlaw, Justia, Martindale, Avvo, and Lawyers.com. These sites provide informative detail about practitioners in your area.
Personal Recommendations
Do you know any attorneys? If so, start there. The likelihood is that they have a colleague that practices matrimonial or family law and will be willing to provide you with a referral. Also, ask friends or colleagues who had a good experience with their own divorce counsel. The "word of mouth" of a personal referral is one of the best ways to select an attorney to handle your sensitive matter.
You can also contact your state’s bar association or a local chapter of the American Bar Association for referrals to lawyers who focus on divorce and family law.
Inquiries to Make During a Complimentary Consultation
The purpose of free consultations is to save both you and the attorney time in determining if there is a good fit between you and the attorney. You will both want to understand your goals and the scope of your individual cases. For one hour at least , you are going to be asked many questions about very personal situations such as your children or ongoing health issues. Take it seriously and show up prepared. Look at the consultation as an informational meeting. You should leave with certainty that you can move forward with that person to help you with your legal needs.
Below is a list of questions to ask during an initial consultation with a family law attorney:
- How long have you been practicing in this area of family law?
- Do you have specific expertise or interest in this area?
- What is your opinion on advantages and disadvantages of settling versus going to trial?
- What is your opinion on using alternative dispute resolution options such as mediation and collaborative divorce?
- Have you had any experience with special issues in family law that are unique to me such as military or international families or same-sex issues?
- How will payments be handled for expertise above and beyond the standard retainer if our case settles quickly or we intervene early?
- What is your definition of a successful resolution for this case?
- How will communication be handled?
- Which staff members will be working with me?
- If you are unable to settle my case, will I be assigned a different attorney for trial?
Assessing the Qualifications and Expertise of an Attorney
When it comes to selecting the ideal family law attorney, assessing the credentials and background of potential candidates is crucial in identifying the lawyer who will best meet the needs of you and your family. As you conduct your research, watch out for key indicators that demonstrate why a particular attorney stands out from the pack. For example, an accredited education and extensive experience are both key indicators of an attorney’s commitment to the law, while awards and certifications can help you further identify which of the practicing family lawyers in your area boast personal endorsements and accolades from the legal community. Another way to determine an attorney’s credentials and experience is by reading some of the reviews left by their prior clients. Your prospective attorney’s online reviews often reveal a great deal about his or her capabilities and level of performance. While you should take every review with a grain of salt, as one disgruntled client is capable of leaving many scathing reviews online, a series of negative reviews should certainly alert you to a possible issue with a particular family law attorney. On the other hand, consistent 5-star ratings offered by prior clients serve as a strong indicator that you may have found your next perfect family law attorney. Finally, a well-established family law attorney will prove his or her credentials and experience through professional qualifications, such as providing free consultations, publishing articles or speaking at conferences. If you are still on the fence about your decision, you might also try scheduling a free consultation with the attorney you are considering. The decision to work with a family law attorney can prove to be one of the most important choices you ever make in your lifetime — which is precisely why ensuring your ultimate selection is a wise one is worth the time and effort.
The Pricing Structure of Family Law Firms
Family law services vary in terms of pricing from attorney to attorney. However, some of the factors that will influence how an attorney charges for family law services include the following:
• The complexity of the legal question that needs to be resolved
• The amount of time and effort the attorney anticipates the case will require
• The attorney’s overhead and expenses
• The attorney’s sense of the market value of the legal services based on factors such as the complexity of the case and time that will be required
Some attorneys charge a flat fee for specific types of legal services such as prenuptial agreements or divorce. Other attorneys bill at an hourly rate. Before you hire a family law attorney , be sure you understand how he or she charges for services.
Clients should not expect to receive a free and open-ended consultation for their legal matter. Family law attorneys want the consultation to be a benefit for both parties.
The attorney wants to assess your situation and determine whether or not he or she wants to take your case. Likewise, the client wants to determine if the attorney is a good fit for them.
The attorney will want to get an idea of the basic facts of your situation. For example, the attorney will likely ask questions about the number of children involved, ages of the children and what issues are in question such as child support, spousal maintenance or child custody and visitation.
A free consultation is likely to be less than one hour long, although some attorneys will provide up to two hours for free. It is important to be prepared when clled offers of free consultations from attorneys in order to make the time spent with your attorney valuable.