Family law issues are emotional. It’s understandable to feel anger, anxiety and a strong desire for the ordeal to be over. Some matters can be sorted through DIY. The Court makes this approach easier than ever. However, you’ll likely need some legal advice. That’s where a good family lawyer comes in. You’ve probably noticed that there are many firms to choose from. How can you tell which one is best for you? Here are seven tips to make the right call.
What defines an expert in family law? How do I select the right family lawyer near me? How can I know if a lawyer meets my specific needs?
The most suitable family lawyers can assist with various family law matters, including divorce, property settlements, child custody, parenting issues, etc. Family law firms may also provide guidance on international family law issues, such as cases involving overseas child abduction.
This article will discuss these crucial points so you can hire someone with the knowledge and skills to handle your family law matter.
Key Takeaways
The best family lawyers possess expertise in divorce, property settlements, child custody, and international family law matters.
Online reviews offer valuable insights into a family law firm’s services. Try to analyse positive and negative feedback.
Personal recommendations from friends or colleagues can provide trusted information on a lawyer’s performance and professionalism.
A law firm’s website can reveal its specialisation, professionalism, and membership in legal associations like the Queensland Law Society.
Choose a lawyer with relevant family law experience tailored to your specific situation, from property settlements to child support.
Effective communication, openness, and transparency are crucial qualities in a family lawyer. It shows that they will address your concerns and provide clear advice.
A clear and reasonable fee structure is essential. Good lawyers minimise expenses and avoid costly court visits.
Personal compatibility between the client and lawyer is crucial, especially in sensitive cases. This ensures trust and mutual understanding.
Check this out: What Are the Risks of DIY Vs Hiring Professional Family Lawyers?
Make an informed decision now. Use this Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist to find the best family lawyer for your family matters.
How can I find the best family lawyer near me for my family law matters?
1. Check online reviews
Online reviews are often people’s first insight into a firm’s services. Reviews help if you view them with the right mindset.
Some prospective clients just check the star rating. It’s fair to say that a high star rating is a must. However, your analysis should be more nuanced.
Here are some things to consider.
Consistent points
Look at what the reviewers say. Are certain matters consistently mentioned across many reviews? Reviews might comment on a lack of communication or unreasonable fees. On the other hand, they might praise a lawyer’s empathy and dedication. Here are some other factors.
Reliability
Reviewers may praise a lawyer for their dependability and the delivery of consistent results. Alternatively, you might come across stories about struggles with deadlines and lack of communication.
Client satisfaction
Check whether reviewers are continually referring to elements of a lawyer’s services that reflect on their ability to meet a client’s expectations. Are they able to deliver satisfactory results in child custody cases or property settlements? If they’re underperforming across a range of cases, that may indicate an inability to provide good results.
Areas of specialisation
You may find that reviews consistently highlight particular services that the lawyer offers. Multiple testimonies could be praising the firm’s expertise in handling child related cases or their professionalism in navigating domestic violence concerns. If your case bears similarities to those services, that law firm may be who you’re looking for.
The more you find a consensus forming, the more valuable the insight.
Range of reviews
It’s also worth looking at a range of reviews from positive to negative. Focusing on one end of the spectrum may give you a skewed perspective. Assess the bad and good qualities mentioned by the reviews to determine if the family law firm is worth further investigating. Prioritise reviews that provide a lot of detail. Check if any former clients wrote about their entire legal journey with the firm to get the best insight into how they operate.
Firm’s responses
Check to see if the firm has responded to any reviews. Best practice is for businesses to provide a response to every review, whether they’re negative or positive. A firm’s response to negative reviews can be particularly enlightening. How do they deal with criticism?
A poor response might refuse to take responsibility for the issues raised without providing evidence. A good response would accept the criticism and provide their perspective on the situation and detail how they intend to do better if applicable.
It’s also possible that a reviewer never used the law firm’s services. It’s important in these cases that the firm clarifies that they have no documentation related to the reviewer, indicating that the review is simply a malicious attack. Proper responses are a sign that the lawyer is willing to listen and takes their client’s views and concerns seriously.
Beware of fake reviews
Fakes reviews can significantly skew a prospective client’s view of a firm. It’s not always easy to spot a fake review. Some factors to look for are the following.
Strange claims
If they’re making outlandish claims about the firm, the review may be designed to smear them. If those claims are outliers among available reviews, they might be worth ignoring.
Similar or generic wording
Also, consider if there are several reviews that use the same, or very similar wording. This could be a sign that the firm is getting review bombed. You may also find that certain reviews use overly general language that doesn’t go into specifics about the client’s experiences.
A proper review
Here’s an example of a legitimate review written by one of our clients:
I just finished a stressful and lengthy custody matter. I initially started with a different lawyer, but right before final hearing she dropped me as client due to a difference of opinion. So I was feeling super stressed and anxious about going forward. But upon meeting with Dianne I instantly felt at ease, Dianne showed me kindness and compassion and really fought for myself and my family. We were able to get the best possible outcome and now I’m looking forward to putting all of this behind me and enjoying a more positive future. I can’t recommend Dianne more highly she really is an amazing lawyer and a wonderful person.
– Sharni B
There are many things about this review that demonstrate its legitimacy. This review goes into specifics about the client’s circumstances and experiences with our team. The language used is personal and expresses sincere feelings about our services without resorting to vague platitudes. The review is highly positive but details compelling reasons for the praise. Readers could, therefore, be confident that this review reflects a real client’s genuine sentiments.
2. Ask friends or colleagues for recommendations
Online reviews can provide helpful information. However, the most trusted advice comes from the opinions of friends and family. If a friend, colleague, or loved one has interacted with a family lawyer near you, ask them about their experience. Some questions you might consider asking are:
Was the lawyer a good communicator?
Were their fees reasonable?
Were they understanding and sympathetic to your situation?
Were they well-versed on the issues at hand?
Did they provide sound family law advice?
Did they explain your options and the legal process clearly?
Who should you ask?
Ask someone whose opinion you trust and value. If they conduct themselves with integrity then they should steer you towards a suitable candidate. Also, try to find someone who has dealt with family law disputes similar to yours. You’ll get the most relevant information on the best family lawyers in the area. That’s not to say that experience with a separate family law matter makes their opinion irrelevant. You can still get valuable information on a lawyer’s overall approach and skills.
Make an informed decision now. Use this Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist to find the best family lawyer for your family matters.
3. Read the attorney’s website
The law firm’s website is your best source of information regarding their legal services. Ask yourself if they present themselves as a specialist in your area of concern. Also, the content on their website will tell you something about their professionalism.
Are there spelling mistakes and grammatical errors all over the place?
Is their content written in a professional tone, or is it casual?
Do they explain legal terms and areas of family law clearly and informatively, or are they vague and evasive?
Are they a member of the Queensland Law Society?
Of course, we all try to put our best foot forward on our own websites. However, details like these tend to slip out, which will all tell you how they operate as a lawyer.
Awards and recognition
A law firm’s website should highlight any awards and recognition that the firm has received. They may have been given state or even national awards. These show that the firm operates at the peak of the industry’s standards and has the recognition of its peers.
Potentially of more interest are any local community awards the firm has received. These awards demonstrate a firm’s commitment to serving their local area. A law firm with strong community connections will work hard to maintain their reputation through quality service.
Accreditations and memberships
Check what accreditations and memberships a lawyer maintains. These demonstrate that the lawyer has pledged to uphold the highest standards of the profession and met the specific requirements of the associations. Entities the lawyer could be connected with include:
Queensland Law Society.
Queensland Family Law Practitioners Association.
Australian Lawyers Alliance.
Law Council of Australia.
Resolution Institute.
4. Find out what type of family law experience they have
It’s crucial to not only find a lawyer with family law expertise but who has experience relevant to your situation. Perhaps you are going through a divorce and have children to consider. Has the attorney handled divorce proceedings involving child support matters and custody issues? What if your co-parent is trying to reduce your access to your child?
Former partners can develop a spiteful attitude. They might try to cheat you out of your share of the marriage’s asset pool. Whether or not you contributed financially to the marriage, you still have certain entitlements, and your lawyer should be able to fight to protect those rights.
Family law matters are complex, and multiple problems may crop up that you and your lawyer must resolve. Here’s a slice of the areas of family law issues that may be in play:
Organising a property settlement.
Negotiating spousal maintenance.
Drafting binding financial agreements.
Securing child support
Working out parenting arrangements.
Handling family violence cases.
Family law experts should have the experience and capacity to handle them all. However, some lawyers are new to the field. Perhaps you have a basic family law issue that doesn’t require specialised expertise. However, many cases have complexities that can cause problems. Some matters involve jurisdictional issues or delicate parenting disputes. You wouldn’t want to rely on an inexperienced lawyer to handle these matters. You need experienced family lawyers who’ve worked on these issues before.
5. Are they open and transparent?
Good communication is critical for a positive client-attorney relationship. Divorce lawyers should be open to responding to any questions you have and be able to provide clear independent legal advice. If you find they don’t have answers to your concerns, that may be a sign to go elsewhere.
Lawyers are busy and likely have other clients to care for, so your expectations should be reasonable. However, they should try to be available to meet with you when you need them. A lawyer who never seems able to see you is probably not in a position to advocate for you effectively.
An experienced lawyer is prepared to discuss all options available. Whether it’s going to court or alternative dispute resolution, they should be providing expert legal advice to find the right solution for you.
Consider how they explain the available options. Do they take the time to break down complex issues in family law? Some lawyers can overload you with jargon. This isn’t good communication. The best family law specialists will make sure that you’re absolutely clear on your situation and what the next steps are.
6. Reasonable fee structure for your family law matter
Family lawyers should be open and transparent about their fees. You should expect that the details of your case will impact the fees. That’s normal. However, they should be prepared to quote you a price for their services upfront. If they refuse to do so, that’s a major red flag.
There’s a lot that can affect the cost of family lawyers. For example, separated couples sometimes choose to continue co-habiting. This is called ‘separation under one roof’. Affidavits are necessary to explain the situation. Drafting these documents increase legal fees. Are you attempting to serve your former spouse with divorce papers, but can’t locate them? Further legal procedures will be necessary. This incurs a cost.
Good family law solicitors will do what they can to minimise your expenses. For example, if they can resolve your case without a costly visit to Family Court, they should.
Whatever your circumstances, your prospective lawyer should take the time to understand your situation in-depth and quote you a realistic fee.
How can a lawyer help with fees?
Lawyers can help clients manage legal fees. Some lawyers offer a deferred fee arrangement. This means the client isn’t required to pay for their services until after their case’s conclusion. They might also work with you to develop a payment plan that suits your financial situation.
Legal Aid Queensland partners with certain family law firms throughout the state. They term these partners ‘preferred suppliers’. These suppliers offer legal aid to parties who don’t have access to a Legal Aid Queensland office. Preferred suppliers can assist with the following:
Help clients with legal issues.
Advise a party on their eligibility for legal aid.
Apply for legal aid on the party’s behalf.
Provide the client court representation.
7. Are they compatible with you?
One crucial element people often overlook when finding a family lawyer is their compatibility. You will work closely with your attorney on some of the most personal issues in your life while you’re most emotionally vulnerable. It’s essential, then, that your attorney is someone you trust to take care of your legal concerns in a sensitive and empathetic way.
Here are a few things you might ask yourself:
Are they taking my concerns seriously, or are they dismissive?
Do they give me their full attention?
Are they trying to understand my unique circumstances?
Are they friendly and helpful?
Compatibility is especially vital if your case includes delicate topics such as domestic violence. You have to be able to trust your lawyer completely with your case. A bad experience with a lawyer in these situations can have long-term emotional and psychological consequences for clients.
A lawyer’s demeanour can tell you much about how they will conduct themselves while handling your case. You want someone who has your best interests at heart and will advocate zealously on your behalf. If your instincts give you any pause for concern, that may indicate that you should move on.
Matters involving the Family Law Act are rarely straightforward. An accredited family law specialist will make the whole experience more bearable. Considering fundamental aspects of top family lawyers enables a sensible decision regarding who represents your interests.
Do you need legal assistance with your family law matter?
What is their approach to family law matters?
Does the lawyer have a particular approach that he prefers? For example, a lawyer might push you to take court action. Another lawyer might insist on the importance of resolving disputes outside of court. Consider which approach best suits your needs. We would always recommend that alternative dispute resolution methods should be the first solution any family law team considers.
Conclusion
There are many things you can consider when looking for the best family law lawyers. Reviews and testimonies from people close to you are invaluable, as is the lawyer’s website. Family law is expensive, so a reasonable fee structure is crucial. Perhaps most importantly, you need to be compatible with them. If they take an approach that doesn’t work for you, there’s nothing wrong with moving on. Use all resources available including free consultations if available.
Do you need legal assistance with your family law matter? Contact us today for a free discovery call.
Highly recommend Shanahan Family Law. Professional and stress free.
– Yogita Ridgley
The above information is intended to be general advice only and is not a substitute for personalised advice. Because it does not consider your individual circumstances, it is not intended to be relied upon, and any loss or damage arising from any such reliance is disclaimed. Any financial or legal decisions should only occur after you have received tailored advice from a legal or financial professional.
Make an informed decision now. Use this Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist to find the best family lawyer for your family matters.
