The quality, experience, and expertise of the family lawyer you hire for your case will significantly impact your case outcome. Although you may not be able to assess the level of professionalism of a family lawyer by merely looking at them, you can identify the right one by asking important questions. If you are meeting a family law attorney soon, remember to ask the following questions:
1. How often do you handle family law issues like mine?
It is important to know that the family lawyer you want to hire fully understands your case and handles issues like that regularly. Experience cannot be ruled out when considering the chances of succeeding in a family law case. Although a family lawyer is expected to be well-versed in all aspects of family law, they may have a better mastery of certain branches than others. You will undoubtedly be happy to hire a family law attorney that has successfully handled hundreds of cases similar to yours.
2. What are the likely outcomes I can expect in my case?
Having explained your issue to the family lawyer, you should ask for the lawyer’s expert opinion about the possible outcomes of your case. Whether your case is divorce, child support, or spousal support, every case is different, no matter how closely related they may be. Hear the family lawyer’s explanation. Beware of lawyers that promise you 100% victory. The facts of your case will tilt the scale of judgment. So, knowing possible outcomes will assure you of the firm’s expertise and boost your confidence.
3. Who will handle my case?
It is best to ask the family law attorney if he or she will handle your case personally or if other lawyers in the firm will be assigned to you. Besides, you should clarify an effective means of communication between you and the firm for seamless communication.
4. Can you provide a timeline?
Having discussed your case with the family lawyer, you should ask how soon your case can be resolved. Whether you are going through a divorce or child custody situation, knowing the expected time that the case will be resolved can boost your confidence and give you an idea of how much you will spend on the case, especially if the lawyer bills you per hour.
5. How much will the case cost me?
It is important to know the costs involved by asking upfront. Ask if there are upfront costs or extra costs you will incur. Also, ask for the lawyer’s per-hour billing and retainers. Remember to ask if there are flexible payment plans to suit your financial situation if you cannot pay upfront.
Takeaway
These are five essential questions you should ask before hiring a family lawyer. If you are not satisfied with the answers provided, search for another lawyer whose answers meet your expectations.
