Your divorce, child custody battle or grandparent visitation pursuit are all sensitive endeavors with unique features and nuances that demand expert attention. To get the best legal advice for such an important situation, you’ll want to seek out the top family law attorneys in your area. What may seem like a daunting task, especially in the face of so many other emotional challenges, can actually be quite simple if you know what to look for and the right questions to ask.
Let’s take a look at some considerations to keep in mind when looking for the top family law attorneys to help your case.
First, Understand What Type of Legal Help You Need
It’s clear that if you’re going through a divorce, you’ll want to find an attorney with experience in family law matters. Go a little deeper than that and really ask yourself what type of help you need.If you’re in an oppressive situation wherein the other party is abusive and dominating the case, you’ll do well to find an attorney that will fight back on your behalf and take care of all communications. On the other hand, a consulting attorney might be a good fit if you feel like you have a good handle on the case and just want a professional to review documents.
A “full-scope” lawyer is one that will take care of the case from start to finish, and they’re particularly helpful in situations where both parties can’t seem to come to an agreement on any major factor, like child custody, alimony or property division. Different lawyers have different strengths and weaknesses, so understanding the type of legal help you need at the jump will help guide your search for the top family law attorneys.
Consider Their Answers to These Important Questions
Interviewing any lawyer you’re thinking of hiring is an important step to finding the top family law attorneys to fight your case. Be honest and clear about what you really need, and pay attention to how your personality connects with the prospective attorney. Once there’s a connection, consider their answers to the following questions:
- What’s your opinion on my case?
- Do you think I have a chance at winning?
- What is your hourly billing rate?
- What’s your retainer fee?
- What do those fees include?
- Do you charge for travel, materials, phone calls?
- What’s your experience with a case like mine?
- Can you describe your approach in divorce/custody/etc. cases?
It’s a good idea to have the ideal answers you’re looking for thought out ahead of time, so you can better gauge how aligned you and the prospective attorney are when it comes to your case. As good as it may feel, you don’t want a lawyer who only speaks positively without laying out the reality of your situation, this could result in shock later on when the case doesn’t go as well as you thought it would.
Communication and Willingness to Work within Your Budget
Like we touched on above, top family law attorneys are going to be realistic with you about your case and communicate to you the different possible outcomes. You’ll want to find someone who has a clear and concise communication strategy, and who explains things in terms that make sense to you. It is your case after all, so your attorney should make sure you understand what’s going on.
While it may be uncomfortable, talking about money is crucial to finding the right family law attorney. You want to be able to get the results you need without decimating your savings. Top family law attorneys should be used to discussing costs and fees early on in the relationship and usually appreciate a client who’s aware of the need to budget properly.
Daniele Johnson & Associates is Home to the Top Family Law Attorneys in Atlanta
At DJ Family Law, top family law attorneys fight every day to help our clients protect what matters most. We believe that no matter your situation, your case is unique and requires specialized attention. Understanding our clients’ needs and is a priority at Daniele Johnson & Associates, and we make sure to take the time to sit down with each individual to learn as much as possible so we can craft a unique case strategy that will yield the best results for our clients.
If you or a loved one are facing familial hardship and are seeking help from top family law attorneys, call us today at 470-746-6485, or go online to schedule a consultation and get the help you need.