If you need legal help with a family law matter (such as a divorce, child custody battle, or adoption), seeing an attorney is a good idea. Having legal representation may help guarantee that your rights and interests are safeguarded even if your relationship with your spouse, ex-spouse, or co-parent is friendly. You shouldn’t take any chances with your family’s future and financial security by doing it alone.

The process of selecting an attorney can feel daunting. Talking to friends or family members who have hired a family law attorney could be helpful, but what worked for them might not work for you. Every single situation is different. In order to do thorough research and comparisons of lawyers, you can use the following guidelines.

First Meeting

Consultations with a family law attorney are typically inexpensive, if not free, and come with no strings attached if the client decides to hire the attorney. Both the client and the lawyer can learn more about each other during the consultation and determine if working together is a good idea. Appointments with multiple lawyers for consultations should be made before you settle on one to hire.

Experience

Family law is a subspecialty of civil law that deals specifically with interpersonal relationships within a family. If your case ends up in court, you’ll want a family lawyer who is well-versed in the procedures involved and can effectively present your side of the story. They need to understand the ins and outs of the law and stay current on judicial changes that affect family law to ensure that your case is handled in accordance with all applicable procedures. Because of the sensitivity of family law matters, you should hire an experienced attorney who can expertly advise you on the best way forward.

Record

An attorney with no significant disciplinary history should be your first choice. By conducting a search on the state bar website in the attorney’s jurisdiction, you can learn more about their professional history. Any disciplinary action may be reviewed in detail to better understand the circumstances surrounding the action. It’s important to note that not all violations are created equal. If an attorney is currently in good standing, you may not want to immediately rule them out because of a past minor infraction.

Client Reviews

Client reviews can give you a sense of what it’s like to work with a lawyer. You could learn about their character, professionalism, and ability to communicate. Though your case may have unique aspects, it is still possible to benefit from reading testimonials from satisfied clients.