A family lawyer is a law representative that will help you out with cases that cover anything from divorce to neglect and everything in between. These people are going to handle the most fragile parts of your life that will affect everything that happens to you in the future. Because of this, choosing the right attorney is crucial, and there are some mistakes you must avoid when making the decision. In this 2021 guide, we are going to list some of the most common mistakes and we’ll help you learn how to avoid them.
1. Going with an attorney before you do your research
This is the most crucial part of choosing a legal practitioner. Before you decide to go with someone, you need to do extensive research. Check the forums, their websites, and don’t forget to roam the groups and learn about the experience other people had with certain practitioners.
Remember that you need a representative based on your specific needs, so look for an attorney who has the needed experience in that field. You can also talk to your friends or family members about an agent they have experience with but pay attention to their case, and if it is close to what you need the attorney for.
2. Choosing someone just because a friend recommended them
As we previously mentioned, you need to do your research to find the right person, however, you should not choose someone just because one person recommended them.
Think about your specific case, and know that just because someone deals with family cases, it does not mean that they are the right person for you. If your friend needed an attorney for their divorce case, it does not mean that the same person will be the best fit for your stepparent adoption case. Look for a person based on your case only, not just because a friend or a relative says they are good.
3. Choosing someone just because you like the company
When it comes to family law cases there are a lot of different types. According to LaFevor & Slaughter, these cases include, but are not limited to divorce, adoption, domestic violence, paternity, juvenile matters, and dependency and neglect. Each and every one of these cases requires a lot of knowledge because they are different from each other. Just because a lawyer is amazing at handling juvenile matters cases does not mean that they will be as good when handling a case for grandparents’ visitations.
You need to find a good company that will represent you, however, you have to know who is going to handle your case. Just because you like the company, it does not mean that your appointed representative is going to be good. When talking to the firm, ask them about the specific attorney who is going to represent you and make your decision based on that person only.
4. Going with someone solely based on their rate
The budget you have is extremely important, and as you already know, there are some legal practitioners who have a lot bigger rate than others. If you go with someone you cannot afford, you risk many, many things. However, you should not choose someone based only on their rate.
Take everything into consideration, and don’t go with someone just because they are the most expensive attorney you can find. Even though something or someone costing more means that they are better, that is not always the case. Let the price be the deciding factor only when you narrowed down your list to two or three amazing lawyers, and choose the one who’s rate fits your budget.
5. Going with an attorney who does not pay attention to you
No matter the case you need an attorney for, you need to go with a person who will be there for you. Unfortunately, there are many people who don’t pay attention to their clients and keep them out of the loop. When choosing the legal practitioner, you need someone who is trustworthy and who understands how important you are.
The great lawyers take care of their clients and they are with them every step of the way. The right person will answer every question you have, and they will not dismiss something just because you ask the same thing over and over again and this are definitely the qualities you can expect from a lawyer at Kania Law Office. If you notice that your attorney is not returning your calls, or if they are too hard to reach, it means that you should go with someone else.
6. Choosing someone just because they promise you they will win your case
Looking for a representative to deal with your family matters is one of the most important choices you will make in your life. Many people make the biggest mistake of choosing a representative only because they promise them they will win the case or they will settle for a large sum of money.
Even though this is really important, you need to find a lawyer who will examine all the possibilities and have several plans on how they can handle your case. There are too many unknowns in every case, and the attorney will not be able to predict the outcome.
These are some of the most common mistakes people make when choosing a legal practitioner. Never go with someone who does not care about you or your best interest, and see how they talk to you right from the start. You don’t need someone negative or someone who won’t support you. You should listen to the attorney, but you should also have a say in your case. If someone tries to pressure you into making a decision, it means that they don’t take your thoughts into consideration. Don’t choose a person based on their location, or someone who does not have the needed skills to represent you.
Last, but not least, go with a person who can understand the family values, and who knows how difficult these cases are. You need a person who has knowledge, skills, and patience. Take your time, do your research, and if you think you’ve made a mistake, don’t worry, you can always change your legal practitioner and go with someone else.
