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Divorce@JCL.

Hiring the Best Family Law Attorney FOR YOU

9/9/2019

20 Comments

 
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You want to find the best attorney. You talk to friends. To colleagues. They pass you some names of promising candidates. You Google: ‘best family law attorney arizona’, ‘best divorce lawyer arizona’, ‘best child custody lawyer phoenix’. You search ratings on AVVO, Lawyers.com, and Legalmatch.com. You comb websites. It’s JUST. TOO. MUCH. How can you really find the best lawyer? The truth is, there is no ‘best lawyer’; there is only the best lawyer for you and your situation. Attending to three things can help you achieve this: introspection, interviewing questions, and interview reflection.

PART 1: INTROSPECTION
First, here are two things you need to determine before interviewing any attorneys. These are things only you know - no attorney has this information. Although your expectations may change over time and across situations, YOU will be the one determining the course of your case:
  1. Figure out what you really want.
    Do you want to go for the jugular by any means necessary? Or are you hoping for an amicable settlement? You need to know what your end-game is...and how you are willing (and not willing) to get there.
  2. Anticipate what’s coming at you.
    What you want is only half of your story. What does the opposing party want? What are they willing (and not willing) to do to achieve that? How does this mesh with your desires?
    ​

PART 2: INTERVIEWING
Once you can answer those two questions, you need to interview potential attorneys who have the skill set and temperament to reach your goals within your parameters. Remember, YOU are interviewing THEM...not the other way around! You need to come to each interview prepared with questions, and you need to take notes. Here are 6 questions that I would always ask:
  1. Tell me about your specific experience with ____________ (divorce, custody, etc.)
    I’m going to shock you right now. Any attorney is able to practice any area of law. Unlike doctors, teachers, financial advisors, and most professionals who have strict constraints regarding their breadth of work, there are no certifications or endorsements that confine practice areas. Scary, right?

    The only way to know what qualifications an attorney has with your area of need is to ask them. Ask how many cases they have had in your specific area. Ask how many years they’ve been practicing in your area of need. Whatever your situation is, be able to ask about it. A straightforward divorce is different from one that involves custody issues,  pensions, restricted stock, estate planning, minority business holdings, etc.

  2. Tell me what areas you practice.
    Like I said above, any lawyer can practice any area of law. Someone who practices in only one area has the time and focus to be highly-specialized; whereas someone who dabbles in five may be spread too thin in the expertise department. Too many areas can also be a sign that the attorney you are interviewing is struggling to build a practice - definitely a concern.

  3. What is your record with settlements and litigation?
    This goes back to the first two items in this post. If you desire a collaborative divorce, you definitely want someone strong in settlements; if you’re working a strong offense, you need a skilled litigator. Whatever your current beliefs, it’s good to find a well-rounded attorney who can do both. The winds of family law can change quickly, and it can be critical to have representation who can skillfully adapt to the demands of the day. Remember your intent is only half the equation your ex-partner may not be willing to settle or at least settle for anything you believe is reasonable. 

  4. If you’re my attorney, whom will I be working with daily on my case...and can I meet them?
    Although your attorney represents you, they may not be the only professional helping on your case. In reality, you may interface with them the least! Most attorneys have a paralegal who helps prepare documentation for court. Many have associate lawyers who assist with your case. There may also be office managers and practice professionals you work with. Don’t feel bait-and-switched - this is how the industry works! That said, it’s critical to meet the team and know that you feel comfortable with everyone who will be helping you.

  5. What is the standard for communication here?
    For day-to-day communications, how quickly can you expect a response? Will it be by phone? Email? Text? If there is an emergency, how can you get an expedited communication?  

  6. Describe the fee structure for my case...and give me a ballpark cost?
    The vast majority of lawyers require retainers for their work. This is a lump sum of money you pay that they bill against as they complete work for you. No lawyer can predict the future of your case...but they should be able to give you a ballpark number based on the facts provided. This is important! You want to make sure that the cost of your case plan is something you can realistically afford, or you run the risk of not finishing your case properly. The last thing you or your attorney wants is to not be able to exercise your full case plan because of financial constraints.

PART 3: INTERVIEW REFLECTION
Funny...when I read through these items, they sound so much like the mental gymnastics we run through when we’re on a first date! As odd as that may seem, it’s entirely true. Mindfulness during the interview is critical. There is a very real gut-check that should happen on your part during these meetings. In the interest of helping you glean some crucial information during your lawyer consults, there are 6 key things to watch for and be mindful of during your interviews:
  1. During a consult, it is poor form for an attorney to be distracted by other cases. This lawyer is trying to convince YOU to be THEIR client. Their behavior and attention will never be better than this moment...which is why engaging in any way with their email or phone is 100% inappropriate. Red flag! Get out! You need a lawyer who has the capacity to focus on your needs and an attention span greater than a middle school student. 
  2. PROMISES. There should be no promises made in a consult...because it is impossible to make and keep them!  Beware promises - they are highly unprofessional and likely nothing more than a guess.
  3. Speaking of professionalism, it is in poor taste for an attorney to negatively characterize a colleague during a consult. What they say may be true, but it’s downright tacky and smacks of desperation. If they cannot sell their expertise without disparaging a colleague..they probably don’t have much to sell in the first place.
  4. How quickly did you get this appointment? If it took too much time, they may not have the time/resources to manage your case successfully. If they got you in shockingly fast, are they not busy...and why not? Snagging a last-minute cancellation can be a blessing, but a wide-open calendar is cause for concern.
  5. How comfortable do you feel with this attorney? In addition to vetting them for their skills, you need someone who’s a good fit with your personality. This is someone you need to be comfortable being 100% candid with...can you do that? Do you like their style? Will you be able to be your best self with them? 
  6. The reviews. How did that horrible restaurant you ate at get 4 Yelp stars? That is the state of reviews. I know many businesses who hire people to post reviews to inflate their ratings! I know movements that post phony, terrible reviews en masse to tank a business. Please do read reviews for potential red flags and accolades, but don’t give them excessive weight. In my experience, getting third-party endorsements from friends, colleagues, and other attorneys is a far more reliable method of checking quality.  

This is a scary time in your life, but hiring the right attorney can make this terrible chapter more bearable. I hope this helps you on your search to find the very best attorney for you. Good luck!!
20 Comments
Jay Jorgenson link
10/24/2019 11:08:34 am

I like how you mention that a family attorney should have experience in handling family's financial matters, divorce, or custody issues. Thank you for the information. I would recommend hiring a family attorney if you are getting divorced and you have children for advice.

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Thomas Clarence link
4/6/2020 10:21:33 am

You made an interesting point when you explained that it is important to find a family lawyer that is able to adapt to the demands of the day. I would imagine that it would be important for a couple that is getting a divorce to work with an attorney so that they can determine who gets what in terms of property. Working with a professional seems like it is a necessity in a situation like this.

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Franklin White link
6/29/2020 12:09:32 pm

Thanks for the advice to make sure you hire a lawyer that specializes in family law. It would be unfortunate for your to hire someone who doesn't actually know all of the information you need tome to know about family law. I hope that I never have to hire a family law lawyer but if I do, I'll look for an attorney who knows everything about it.

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Patrick Ross link
7/6/2020 06:27:32 am

I like what you said about finding an attorney that has experience that's relevant to your case. My sister wants to make sure that she gets custody of her kids in the coming months. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for family lawyers that can help her with this.

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Neha link
11/5/2020 01:58:55 am

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Adam Golightly link
11/5/2020 12:39:18 pm

My cousin has been having some problems with her husband, and she really wants to fix her problems. She would really like to get some advice on how to get a better claim by talking to a professional. I liked what you said about how they shouldn't practice in more than 5 areas because then they don't have a speciality.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
11/10/2020 09:23:37 pm

I appreciate that this post stressed with us that it is important for us to hire an attorney who specializes in family law. It makes sense as it will guarantee us that we are under the care of professionals. I will remember your tip for future references.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
11/23/2020 10:50:03 pm

You make an excellent point that when choosing a family attorney, it is important for us to be decisive with the service we need. My dad needs an attorney. I will advise him to hire an family attorney who is experienced in family law.

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Kristofer Van Wagner link
12/21/2020 10:02:31 pm

I am in complete agreement with you that it is important for us to understand why we need a family law attorney in a divorce case. My aunt is getting a divorce. I will definitely adhere to your tip and remind my aunt accordingly.

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Zachary Tomlinson link
2/1/2021 03:34:01 pm

You made a good point that you should contact an attorney that specializes in divorce since they know how the process works. I have a friend who's thinking of filing one because of her partner's cheating habits. Maybe it's time that she reaches out to one of these experts for legal advice regarding this.

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Nicholas Finn link
2/3/2021 12:54:24 am

By hiring a domain specialist there will be subsequent chances of winning compensation substantially.

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Braden Bills link
2/10/2021 08:01:34 am

My friend is going to be going through a divorce, and he's concerned that he'll lose things. It makes sense that he would want to find a good attorney to help him out with things! I'll make sure that my friend knows to interview a few different lawyers so that he can choose the one he thinks he would work with the best.

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Darpan Jain link
2/16/2021 06:38:41 am

Contact top rated divorce lawyer in Delhi NCR with Kanoon Ke Rakhwale India

Reply
Leonel Jackson link
2/16/2021 11:40:24 pm

I've read this article. It is very useful and relevant post to me. Thanks for sharing it.

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Taylor Hicken link
2/17/2021 09:58:03 pm

You made a good point when you shared that it is important to choose an attorney that you feel comfortable working with. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is thinking of filing for divorce as she just found out that her husband has been cheating behind her back all this while. I will suggest to her choosing a reliable family lawyer that she feels comfortable with to assist with her case.

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Chris Pederson link
3/24/2021 03:36:25 pm

You brought up a great point about how family law changes quickly. I wouldn't be able to keep up with it. So might as well hire an attorney who does.

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Braden Bills link
3/25/2021 07:58:15 am

My friend is going to be going through a divorce, and he's afraid of losing things. It makes sense that getting a good lawyer would be beneficial! I'll make sure he knows to find one that specializes in that kind of thing.

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JJ link
4/5/2021 12:20:39 pm

Interviewing with a potential lawyer is, as you said, important. coming prepared with questions is vital to the success of your case. I would even send those questions you have to potential lawyers you're interviewing in advance so you and they can get ahead of the curve.

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Richard Shakenovsky link
4/6/2021 07:26:12 am

Great blog! Thanks for sharing your blog for hiring the best family law attorney.

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Charlotte Fleet link
4/9/2021 01:00:06 pm

My older sister is getting divorced from her husband and she needs to hire a family lawyer to represent her. I appreciate you mentioning the importance of hiring a lawyer that you feel comfortable with and that fits your personality well. I will be sure to help my sister interview lawyers to find one that she gets along well with.

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    Jason Castle is a family lawyer who specializes in high-conflict cases. He's also a former prosecutor & social worker. Hear his latest divorce thoughts! 

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