When is it Time to Consult with a Family Law Attorney & What to Look for in a Good Attorney?

There is no doubt that choosing to consult with an attorney is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. However, when it comes to family law matters, such as divorce or parenting, it may be best to consult with an attorney as soon as you know there may be an issue on the horizon to understand your options and get the best advice for your family.

Choosing the right divorce attorney may seem overwhelming, as there are so many places to turn such as Google; however, do not forget the best place is to seek advice from those you know. The best strategy is to get the names of up to three attorneys from personal resources if possible, or potentially Facebook groups you belong to, then go to google and examine them comprehensively by looking at their website and reviews. Keep in mind that even if there are one or two bad reviews, that may be okay, as no attorney works for every individual. Once you have potential attorneys selected, reach out to their office and ask for a consultation. During the initial consultation, make sure you feel that your interests will be protected and you are comfortable talking candidly with that person. It is crucial to feel comfortable with your attorney as you will be sharing confidential information and allowing them to guide you through what could be a difficult and emotional process.

Also, your attorney should practice solely in family law, so they are experienced with issues similar to yours. Your divorce attorney should not also be your real estate attorney, your business attorney, or your attorney for any other legal matters.  A “good” attorney will be realistic with you regarding your positions and goals and should be honest with you even if it may not be what you want to hear. It is not beneficial to you to have an attorney sugarcoat things.  A good attorney will fight for your positions and interests but also help move your case towards a settlement or resolution so that you can move forward with your life.

Making the decision to consult an attorney is especially important when children are involved. You should not feel stuck in an unhappy marriage because of children, as children are more sensitive to tension and conflict than we realize and can pick up on even the smallest indicators of problems. Seeing healthy parents is better than living through dysfunctional relationships. If your child already has a therapist, reach out to them to consult regarding the divorce and what measures you can take in order to protect the child.

At The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC, clients can expect to be given our full attention, be responded to timely, and work hard in a cost-effective manner. Erin and her team will provide honest advice and operate with full transparency so that clients are never left in the dark. With extensive experience in family law issues, Erin has a reputation for being kind when appropriate, and aggressive when necessary, while making every effort to achieve an amicable and fair settlement out-of-court through creative approaches and skillful advocacy. We also have connections with other professionals, including financial and mental health experts, and will give you referrals when necessary, or we are happy to work with the teams you already have in place.

NOTICE: This blog is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as providing legal advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding this blog post.