Whether you are going through a divorce, a child custody dispute, or other family law issue, you want to find the best family law attorney for your situation. There are many legal professionals to choose from, so it’s crucial to know what to do and what to ask. Due to the inherent highly emotional circumstances of any issues involving family law, having a plan in place to find the best family law attorney is beneficial during this stressful, complex time.
How to Find the Best Family Law Attorney for Your Situation
- Determine Your Legal Needs
When you are getting started with the process, you should determine your full legal needs to ensure the family law attorney you choose handles what you need. If you are going through a divorce, is there a child custody dispute as well? Is there a question about the paternity of a child? Does alimony need to be negotiated? These are the types of questions you need to ask yourself when you begin your search. Not all lawyers handle all kinds of situations. Make sure you work with a lawyer that handles the family law issues you need.
- Search for a Family Law Attorney in the Right Geographic Area
When you have decided to file a case, for example, a divorce, it is important to search for a family law attorney in the county where you and your spouse live. In most situations, the case would be handled in the same county as the person filing for divorce (the plaintiff). There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as if one of you has residences in more than one state or is in the military.
- Use Multiple Sources to Find a Qualified Family Law Attorney
The internet is full of great information to help you find the best family law attorney if you know where to look. One of the first places to go is the American Bar Association. State bar associations are excellent resources too. When you find a good candidate, view their website, and look for testimonials/recommendations from previous clients.
- Confirm They Have the Experience You Need
The best family law attorney in St. Petersburg for you will be one that has experience for your particular needs. Ask them how many years they have been practicing. Do they handle your full legal needs? How often do they handle cases like yours? Who would be handling the case?
- Find Out How They Work
In such crucial legal matters covered in family law, you need to feel comfortable with who you are working with — and how they work. Many firms will offer consultations, and you can get a lot of great answers regarding experience and how the firms and lawyers work. Do they listen well? Ask them how they communicate with their clients and what kind of average response time they have for emails and phone calls. During the emotionally challenging times of divorce, child custody disputes, and other areas of family law, you need to be able to trust that they can work well with you.
- Ask Them About Potential Outcomes
This is another impactful way to find the best family law attorney for you. It will give you a good understanding of how they have helped other clients with issues similar to yours. Whether it is in regards to child support, alimony, or other vital areas, asking the attorney about potential outcomes of your case will give you the confidence you need that they not only are well prepared to take on your case but that they also have a strategy and plan to fight for your interests.
- Confirm That They Are Skilled in Settlement and Litigation
In most areas of family law, cases are often settled out of court. This typically requires skills in negotiations. (custody arrangements, alimony payments, etc.). But sometimes, a case needs to go to a court of law. Talk to the family law attorney about their experience in both settlements and the courtroom, and ask them to talk about outcomes from previous clients. It is smart to choose an attorney with the experience and relevant skills to handle either situation.
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Golden Key Law Group, PLLC – Experienced Family Law Attorneys
At Golden Key Law, we understand the complexities of family law and have represented hundreds of clients throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough County.
We are here to represent your voice and lead as your legal advocate.
If you need expert and dedicated legal help for a family law case in St. Petersburg, FL, contact us online to schedule a consultation or call 727-317-4738 today.