Finding the right family attorney

Within a relationship, whether it is a marriage, civil union or domestic partnership, there may be situations where the services of a family law attorney are needed. Perhaps you are planning to adopt a child, or there are questions of how the assets should be divided up should the relationship dissolve. Since there are many aspects of family law with which the majority of the population is not familiar, it is generally a good idea to hire an attorney who is knowledgeable and skilled in this area, in order to competently assist you through the process. While the Internet has made searching for lawyers faster and easier, there are a number of things that you can do to ensure that you select the best attorney for your situation.

First, realize that the Internet itself can help you in doing a lot of the research that goes along with locating qualified candidates, as well as trimming your list of potential choices to the top two or three attorneys. You may consider using an online lawyer locating service to start your search. These web sites allow you to search for lawyers by their area of specialized practice, as well as your state or city. Many of these sites also contain links to each individual lawyer’s personal web page, if there is one, where you can learn more about his years in practice, experience with various family law matters, and more about his firm or practice. Another good online resource you may want to take advantage of is the state’s Bar Association directory. This site can provide information to help you understand your state’s law, connect you with attorneys that work on a pro bono basis, if needed, and will let you know if any disciplinary actions have been taken against any of the lawyers you may be considering. This site will also help you to share your experience with your attorney with others, by allowing you to report any problems that arise during the working relationship. You might also look into using a lawyer-client match service, which allows you to contact several lawyers about your case, though these are best done in person, due to the confidential nature of the situation.

Another good source for finding a qualified family law attorney is online ads. Obviously, each lawyer is hoping that her practice is the one chosen, and naturally represents hers as being the best suited to handle your case. However, the advertisement process does provide an easy way to list potential candidates. Once you have your list made out, contact each one and conduct a brief phone interview, in order to gather basic information. You should find out if family law is the firm’s specialty, how many years of experience the firm has, and, in general, what their rates and retainers are. Pay attention to how your questions are treated during this contact, as this is frequently an indicator of how the remainder of the relationship might be conducted. If you have any family or friends that have needed the services of a family law attorney, ask what online tools they used in their search, and whether or not they were beneficial. You may also wish to ask what tools or resources they would recommend avoiding, so you don’t spend a great deal of time on a wild goose chase. If you are receiving help through a social service organization, ask them if they have any specific sites or resources that they have had success with, as well.