5 Key Qualities to Look for in a Family Law Lawyer
As the name suggests, family law lawyers deal with sensitive cases involving families. They must be emotionally stable and have a high level of professionalism. The best family lawyers are reliable. Clients should always be able to reach them easily. They should also be available in person to answer any questions.
Reliability
It’s important to find a reliable attorney regarding family law cases. Many attorneys practice corporate law and work on family law cases on the side, but you’ll want to find an attorney that solely focuses on this type of case.
Family lawyers deal with many sensitive issues, so they must be reliable to keep their clients calm. Additionally, family lawyers often have to handle a lot of paperwork and documents, so they need to have organizational skills.
Individuals can find a reliable family lawyer by contacting their network for referrals and visiting law schools with family law programs. Individuals can also find a family law attorney by researching different family attorneys online.
Honesty
Honesty covers a wide range of ethical behaviors. It includes telling the truth, not hiding information to gain an advantage, and not taking things that aren’t yours (stealing). It also includes being genuine, fair, and sincere.
Honest people often try to be generous and treat others fairly. They may give back more than they take or ensure everyone gets their fair share of the resources. Sometimes, however, a person must be honest in a particular situation. A person might have to consider whether it is morally responsible to withhold information, not to hurt someone’s feelings or to prevent embarrassment. This type of honesty is known as parrhesia or candor. It is a challenging sort of frankness that is sometimes criticized by cynics as “dishonesty with benefits.”
Communication
In addition to technical skills and legal knowledge, a good family law lawyer must communicate clearly. They should always return phone calls and emails promptly, which goes a long way in establishing trust.
They should also be able to explain complex and difficult legal issues in easy-to-understand terms. This will help clients understand what is happening in their case and make better decisions.
Additionally, a good family law attorney will be compassionate and understanding during emotional times. This is because family law cases can be very stressful and sensitive. In addition to helping clients with divorces, they can handle various other family-related matters, such as child custody and support. These cases often involve dividing assets and property, including marital debts.
Experience
While specific circumstances and individual lawyers will differ, family law attorneys should have a high level of experience in the field. This will help them deal with cases that are often complex and emotional.
Experience will help them understand what to expect when arguing a case in court and how judges may react to different arguments and evidence. It will also help them understand how best to communicate with their clients and answer any questions they might have. A good family law lawyer will have excellent communication skills. They should be able to promptly return your calls and emails and take the time to explain legal concepts and decisions. They should be able to listen to their clients and sympathize with what they are going through.
Knowledge of the Law
A lawyer should be able to handle legal matters with ease and accuracy. This is especially important in the case of family law because these cases deal with personal issues and sensitive information.
A good family law attorney should have a vast understanding of the laws surrounding divorce, child custody, adoption, and domestic abuse. This will allow them to provide objective advice, handle paperwork, and easily negotiate settlements. A good family law lawyer should also be diligent. This is often demonstrated by how a lawyer responds to your initial call. Do they take the time to listen to all of your concerns calmly? Did they ask questions about your case and give you an estimated timeline of when things might happen? The more attentive a lawyer is, the more likely they will win your case.