The list of situations in which we could need the help of a family lawyer is extensive, but they all have one point in common: the sensitivity of these types of subjects, closely linked to the personal sphere. In cases related to family law, it’s essential, perhaps more than in any other case, to have a trusted professional with whom you should feel truly comfortable and whom we can trust.
What are the responsibilities of a family lawyer?
Among the functions performed by a family lawyer in the performance of his profession there are the following circumstances:
- Applies legal concepts that are related to their specialization, in this case – family law.
- Applies the rules corresponding to family law to the particular problem for which their services have been required.
- Responsible for carrying out all the required procedures derived from the case for which he has been hired, in the family courts.
- Responsible for conducting a legal debate during an oral litigation procedure.
- Integrates the moral assessment of legal techniques
- Responsible for the resolution of the legal aspects of this process.
At this point, we think it could be quite useful to define what are the keys to choosing a good family lawyer. Of all the requirements that must be taken into account, we’ll introduce you to the most important ones which could be considered fundamentals.
1. Find an experienced lawyer
Regardless of the situations in life in which you might possibly need a lawyer, it’s never advisable to put yourself in the hands of an inexperienced one. Family law cases are always crucial in people’s lives, so the repercussions of incomplete counseling can be negative.
The advice that is usually given in these cases is not to tempt fate or skimp on costs since what is at stake is very precious: your sentimental and patrimonial situation or even the custody of your children.
That’s why you should think twice and entrust your case to a professional with extensive knowledge, who knows how things work and what he or she does. A pure example would be Brookwaterlegal company which clearly explains on their website what are the duties of their family lawyer and all the ways in which she can help – means a lot when you need to decide quickly. According to TruLaw, you must enquire with a seasoned professional in the industry
Also, your family lawyer must be a good connoisseur of civil law. In most cases, he also needs to know more about other branches. For example, if a family business mediates in the matter, it will always help to have knowledge of commercial law.
Many cases could include foreigners – on such occasions, it’s necessary to know about international law, too. Tax elements are also frequently involved, for example when inheriting, divorcing, or marrying. Long story short – a good family lawyer is a legal professional with transversal knowledge.
2. Find an empathic lawyer that meets your needs
Empathy is a virtue in the field of family law. The specialization required by the legal profession sometimes leads to lawyers being distant and calculating. Finding a common language with the professional who will take care of your problem will go to make sure that everything goes well: you have to be able to trust the person you will contract and know that he/she listens to you, understands you, and thinks about the best possible options for you.
Don’t accept less than that: make your specific goals for the process very clear and provide all the necessary information, making sure that your lawyer is involved.
3. Yes to specialization
The experts from Konicek Law tell us that it is normally better to opt for a lawyer specialized in the specific case that your query is about, so the specialization can help you (a lot!) to make everything go as you need. In some cases, it’s necessary to touch several disparate matters and when it comes to that, your lawyer needs to have a multidisciplinary support network that allows him to offer you a comprehensive solution. His or her experience in similar litigation will increase your chances of success.
However, if you prefer to develop a long-term relationship, you should choose a general lawyer – by knowing your personal and family situation, he/she will become a reference professional who can help you whenever you have a legal doubt.
4. Choose a realistic lawyer
Don’t let your lawyer assure you that everything will be fine if it’s not. He/she needs to be honest in the first place and realistic about your possibilities and chances to achieve what you want, without generating false expectations. Situations as complex as those included in family law do not deserve less: a good lawyer will speak frankly about your possibilities to success.
5. Take care about the communication
In the family environment, whenever you try to avoid tensions, communication skills will be essential. Your family lawyer should be able to negotiate with solvency, but also to avoid misunderstandings and to facilitate the exchange of opinions – and this could only be a benefit for you and your case.
A good family lawyer will be able to give each person the treatment they need, reducing tension and avoiding confrontations. The same applies to separation and divorce proceedings, where internal pressure can lead to spouses using elements such as custody or pensions as a throwing weapon against their former partner.
6. Think about costs, too
The cost of the procedure is more than an important point on this list – it’s essential to know what the cost of the procedure will be or to get familiar with the actions that are going to be carried out. For this reason, it’s advisable to do all this through a professional commission sheet, which shows what actions are being required and includes the price that each one entails.
There are family lawyers such as Lemkin Law that offer a free first consultation. It’s quite helpful when the specialist lawyer makes a fairly approximate estimate of what the final fees would be after the first visit or presentation of the case. It must be taken into account that at the end of the procedure some unforeseen management may have been carried – that’s why it’s good to discuss the budget as thoroughly as possible, in order to avoid misunderstandings later.
It’s important to make a good choice and know the factors to take into account when choosing this type of lawyer since they’ll discuss intimate issues regarding your children, your spouse, and your family members in general. Family lawyers aren’t only specialized in divorces, separations, or annulments, but they deal with many more areas such as regulatory agreements and measures, modification of definitive measures established in the agreement, request for parental-subsidiary measures, and more.
After the above, it’s clear that the key is to choose a good family lawyer that makes you feel comfortable, that serves you in all the needs you have, and that, together with the professional experience of the lawyer, you can solve efficiently the controversies that arise in your family life.
