How to choose a family solicitorHow to choose a family solicitor
One of the most difficult things you can end up experiencing is the breakdown of a family or a relationship. In these situations, there’s several options you have available when it comes to legal advice. Reaching out to a solicitor can often be a difficult and anxiety inducing step – but often it’s an incredibly important one you must make. However, it’s vital to know what kind of solicitor to choose. If you feel your relationship is beginning to break down and that legal meditation will be necessary, then this is an excellent guide for selecting legal advice.
1. The Most Important Step – Research
The most vital step is research.
You will need to find an experienced family solicitor and a solicitor from a firm with a solid reputation – especially in areas relevant to your needs.
Always consider the kind of services that the firm has experience in providing. It’s important you find a solicitor who is experienced, has the relevant skillsets, and one that you know you will be able to rely on. Look for the experience they have, and the kind of accreditation they possess. Family Law Solicitors can be accredited in several ways, and accreditation is a demonstration of both knowledge and experience – but it’s important to check what exactly their accreditation is and if it relates to family law.
It’s important to ask about what their speciality is – are they a specialist in family law? Many solicitors can cover more than just one area of law – but in these situations you really want someone who has experience in the expansive field of family law and is a dedicated specialist there.
You’ll also want to think about the kind of services a firm can offer you over the course of the process. Specialists in finance and amicable resolution can be vital for assisting you in handling the dispute.
2. Talk to Solicitors
It is very important to meet with the solicitor.
You should always attempt to talk to a solicitor for free to gauge their approach as well as the kind of relationship you’ll be able to develop with them.
Many solicitors and firms offer a free initial consultation. Talking with a solicitor is a vital part of the research step, as it will allow you to see if you have a good working relationship with the solicitor. Because of the sensitive nature of what you must engage with the solicitor over, it is key you are able to develop a good relationship with them. Directly meeting or talking with them will give you a good idea as to whether you will be able to work with them over.
If you get along with your family lawyer Clarkston or like them, then it will be much easier to end up reaching a settlement – because when they discuss a compromise, they know you will be comfortable frankly discussing both the pros and cons.
3. What kind of Approach do they take?
The kind of approach that solicitors take will be vital for helping you to resolve the situation. How do they propose to resolve your case?
The aim should always be to seek an amicable resolution to save both time and money – going to court should always be a last resort taken when all other options have been exhausted or are simply no longer viable. The starting point for a good family solicitor should always be attempting a negotiated solution – and a realistic negotiated solution – to the problem.
However, you must be prepared for the possibility of a case going to a court and in many situations, a robust, experienced solicitor will be necessary to represent you through litigation and provide you with important legal advice relevant to the situation.
During an initial consultation, you’ll be able to get a good idea of the approach that a solicitor will take – but it’s vital for you to ask questions and discuss how they will deal with the case.
4. Costs and Hourly Rates
At the beginning of your consultation, you’ll need to consider how you can fund the legal process. It’s important to ask what for an estimate of the worst and the best-case scenarios – so you can get a proper handle on how much you may need to pay. Not every firm will provide a free estimate before meeting with you and finding out the specific details of our case, however, they should be able to provide details regarding a solicitors hourly rates – which should allow you to develop an idea of how much the process will cost you.
A good solicitor will,
- Clearly lay out costs
- How to make your next steps
A good solicitor will always make all these details clear and never obfuscate any of the necessary costs.