Tustin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.