Choosing the best family lawyer for your needs can be very difficult especially for complex family law cases. For challenging and stressful matters like custody and divorce, the best family lawyer is needed to support their client in their legal matters.
Identifying the qualities of the best family lawyer is subjective for clients’ unique cases, but ultimately getting justice and the most favourable outcome is what everyone wants. Below we’ve prepared significant qualities of the best family lawyer.
Knowledge Of Family Law
Rather than parental rights, the Family Law Act of 1975 concentrates on the rights of children and the obligations that each parent has towards their children. The Act strives to safeguard children from harm while allowing them to have meaningful relationships with each of their parents.
Making sure that a lawyer has ample knowledge of family law can help describe the best family lawyer. If a client does not hire a lawyer that is experienced in all elements of family law, family concerns can have a significant impact on their life and upbringing.
Every family lawyer does not automatically know all the laws, but a good lawyer, on the other hand, is one who understands how to handle each legal problem while keeping a close eye on the law. He or she should be able to engage in all legal procedures and legal education.
The more knowledgeable an attorney is about the law, the more experienced he or she is. Check their background and educational attainment. A seasoned attorney has worked for several years and has the experience of working on a wide range of family law cases under their belt.
Experience In Documents And Paperwork
The best family lawyer should have completed all of the papers by the time clients go into court. Did you know that the family law judge often makes a ruling on the case before you even arrive? Did you realise that the paperwork provided is frequently used to make decisions?
Don’t underestimate the importance of document preparation for divorce or custody cases. A client should contemplate on looking for another family lawyer if the lawyer:
- Has his or her secretary or paralegal do all of the paperwork
- Doesn’t read into cases to make sure it’s accurate and complete
- Doesn’t properly advocate a case
- Forgets to bring or misplaces necessary papers at meetings
The Best Family Lawyer Has Integrity
Integrity is important and, maybe surprisingly, a requirement of any family lawyer. What exactly do we mean when we say “integrity”? Simple. A family lawyer should be open and honest with their clients about the advantages and disadvantages of family law cases.
For example, you consider going to the doctor when you’re sick, but you’re not sure what’s wrong. Imagine the doctor assuring you that you are fine rather than informing you what is wrong with you medically.
Would that make you feel better? Definitely. Is that something you can benefit from in the long run? No, unless you don’t mind getting sicker. Take the example above and relate it to choosing the best family lawyer and consider these questions:
- Firstly, how would someone know what the best course of action and strategy for their family law case is if their lawyer only provides them with a portion of the information required?
- Secondly, will clients establish reasonable expectations?
- How are clients going to prevent getting caught off guard in court when unexpected outcomes occur?
You can tell if the lawyer is trustworthy based on their recommendations and online reviews. An excellent lawyer is always honest, open-minded, and nonjudgmental. Someone’s life will be jeopardised if they hire a lawyer without integrity.
A smart lawyer, in fact, should talk to their clients in an upfront manner even though the statements will be difficult to absorb. A good family lawyer should be honest with you and give you sound advice so that you can both reason and come to an agreement.
The Best Family Lawyer Values Your Time
You should be able to reach out to your family law attorney when you’re in need of legal advice. Here are key good communication skills that a family lawyer should possess:
- Availability to answer the phone when a client calls.
- You should not converse with the lawyer’s secretary or paralegal more than the lawyer themselves.
- Providing legal guidance and simplifying legal jargon related to their client’s case.
- The lawyer should contact and inform the progress of their client’s case on a frequent basis.
- The lawyer should be approachable in times of legal emergencies.
Being Compassionate And Friendly
When looking for the best family lawyer, compassion is an important quality to look for. If the attorney is empathetic and courteous, you know you’re working with the correct family lawyer. A good lawyer will listen to your concerns and provide you with polite legal advice.
Choose someone who will be sensitive and understanding of your legal issues as professionalism only goes a long way. When a lawyer loses patience, he or she yells at you, at the other lawyer, and in court. That type should not be hired. It’s one thing to be direct and to the point; it’s quite another to let your emotions control you.
Clients and litigants are in a difficult situation. Your lawyer must be composed and patient when clients get emotional. That doesn’t imply clients should let their emotions rule their life and leave the rest to the lawyer. The best family law lawyer can help control their client’s emotions.
JB Solicitors’ Legal Advice
While the qualities above are what define the best family lawyers, it is also important that the client shows most of these qualities to their family lawyer to ensure a clear understanding in legal meetings. Clients should also be prepared before going to a lawyer consultation.
As previously stated, the best family lawyer is subjective because each family law case is unique. Furthermore, different techniques and outcomes are taken by different family lawyers while dealing with their clients’ situations.
Does this imply that they can foresee outcomes? Obviously not. Nobody can or should do it. However, it does imply that an unbiased lawyer will examine the facts, evidence, and issues.
JB Solicitors has experienced family lawyers who are suited to cater to your legal needs and can prepare you for various scenarios to assist you in all legal matters.
Contact our family lawyers today.