Family law can be a complex and emotional matter, and this is why when you are considering hiring a family lawyer, you should cover all of your bases. Typically, in family matters, you are not the only person you are protecting. You may be trying to protect the child or even your spouse, depending on what’s going on. Perhaps your spouse is hinted at divorce, earlier axes threatening to withhold your children from you, or maybe you’re just aware that separation might be a good idea for you and your family. You could even be seeking a family lawyer because you want to go into a first or second marriage with a premarital contract.
Whatever the reason for needing a family lawyer, you should prepare yourself. Once you’ve decided to talk to a family lawyer, you need to go and be prepared so that you are saving your time and money and your lawyer’s time.
The very first way that you can start preparing yourself to talk with the family lawyer is to consider your goal. When you first consult with a lawyer, why are you consulting with them. Are you hoping to get general advice on moving forward with the relationship or divorce proceedings, do you need specific tasks done such as drafting an agreement representing you in court or creating a contract? Whatever you are going to your lawyer for you need to know the ins and outs of it on the most basic level so that you can ensure your lawyer knows how to do the task at hand.
Secondly, you need to consider your budget. What can you afford to spend to reach your goals, and how much do you want to spend? Essentially a minimum and maximum amount that you were okay spending. And sadly, money can decide how important the task at hand is to you. If you know your budgets only thousand dollars, relating that upfront may save you money at consultation. You need to ensure that the law firm you are hoping to work with can work with your budget, and that you’re not going to wind up overcharged and losing money trying to go after this endeavor.
Third, you need to know your personality style and the personality style of your lawyer, the lawyers maintain personal contact with every client and communicate regularly throughout the legal process. Are you going to expect frequent updates from your lawyer themselves, or are you okay with something that can be dropped off or picked up by her since you do email by an associate? Are you going to prefer email or phone, do you want a hostile approach or a more amicable approach? Knowing your personality is going to help you pick the right lawyer for the job as you want it done.
Next is to decide when you want this work done. Is it a true emergency, a normal case, or a preventative. Depending on the type of case will decide how quickly it is dealt with by your lawyer, and how quickly you need to walk in there prepared.
