Family Lawyers in Tustin, CA
Choosing a family lawyer is an incredibly important decision when faced with divorce, child custody, and other family law matters. Having an attorney you can trust to advocate for you and protect your interests is critical for your case, but how do you know which family lawyer is best for you? Consultations are a great opportunity to meet with an attorney, ask questions, and get an idea of whether or not their firm is a good fit.
Sarieh Law Offices provides free case evaluations so that anyone facing family law issues can discuss their case and gain valuable insight into their options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Certified Family Law Specialist.
- Alimony
- Annulments
- Child custody issues
- Child visitation
- Domestic violence and restraining orders
- Division of assets
- Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
- Child support
- Legal separation
- Divorce
- Late life divorce
- Parental rights issues
- Relocation Disputes
- Grandparents’ rights
- Paternity claims
- Modifications
- Putative spouse
- Request for order
- Spousal support
- Guardianship
- Hidden assets
- Interstate custody
- Family law appeals
- Joint or separate property claims/ownership
- Cohabitation problems
Top 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Family Law Firm
Choosing the best firm is a personal decision based on your goals, circumstances, and personal preferences, but here are ten tips to help you make the right choice.
Look for a Firm with Targeted Experience
Does the firm practice multiple areas of law, or does it only focus on family law? Is there a family law specialist at the firm? How much experience do they have with the specific issues present in your case?
You will want to look for a family law firm that has extensive experience with cases similar to yours. Wail Sarieh at Sarieh Law Offices is a Certified Family Law Specialist, which means he is an expert in family law matters. If you have questions about our legal team’s experience, a free case evaluation is the perfect time to ask.
Read Reviews and Testimonials
Hearing from past clients is an excellent way to determine how a law firm handles its cases and treats its clients. The law firm’s website may have testimonials, but seeking independent reviews from a third-party source like Yelp or Google is also a beneficial way to learn more about the firm. You can also ask the attorney if they have additional reviews or testimonials you could access.
Check Attorney Ratings on Specialized Sites
Rating systems and websites specifically for lawyers are great resources when trying to choose the best family law attorney. Avvo.com, for example, provides attorney ratings based on factors like professional achievements and years of experience.
Look for Local Experience
Every court jurisdiction in California follows state laws regarding divorce, custody, support, and other family law matters. However, being familiar with local court procedures is important because courts often have unique processes and preferences for how specific tasks are handled. Hiring a lawyer who has a good relationship with court staff is also an advantage.
Know if There’s a Team of Attorneys
You will want to have plenty of support and resources when facing family law matters. Some law firms have only one lawyer, or they assign one lawyer to each case, while others have a team of attorneys who can consult on cases together. There are benefits to both scenarios, so explore these options to determine which you prefer. At your consultation, ask questions about who will be handling your case.
Believe First Impressions
Were you able to easily contact the firm when scheduling your consultation? Was the firm’s staff friendly and helpful? Did you feel heard and respected during the consultation? These are all important first impressions that will give you a peek into what type of treatment you can expect if you choose a firm. Open communication, respect, compassion, and responsiveness are critical parts of an attorney-client relationship.
Consider Their Communication
Not only is being communicative and keeping you informed of what’s going on with your case the right thing to do, but lawyers in California also have rules of conduct dictating their communication with clients. Your attorney should keep you updated in a reasonable amount of time and explain relevant matters to you so you understand, among other things.
Be Prepared to Discuss Events
The attorney will need to have a clear picture of the details and events involved in your family law matter, which means they will rely on you to relay much of this information. Be prepared to give your attorney precise facts and keep them informed about new details that may be relevant so they can build a strong strategy for your case.
There are No Guarantees
It is to be expected that people involved in complex, emotionally charged family law cases would be concerned about the outcome. However, an attorney cannot guarantee any specific outcome. If you meet with a lawyer who promises an end result, this should be considered a red flag.
Compare Fees and Prices
Understanding an attorney or firm’s fee structure means knowing what to expect financially and being able to make informed decisions about what steps to take throughout the case. Ask plenty of questions during the consultation to determine how the law firm charges and what costs might be involved.
What to Do If You’re Facing Family Law Matters in California
Sarieh Law Offices is a skilled team of legal professionals who handle a multitude of family law matters, providing clients with individualized representation for issues like divorce, separation, grandparents’ rights, guardianship, child custody, and child support. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.