The best time to choose the right family law attorney for you and your family is before you actually need one.

Lawyers are a dime a dozen, yet the important services they render make them one of the highly-paid professions anywhere.

Before you hire a family law attorney, do your research.

Get advice, suggestions and recommendations from everyone you know - your family, your friends, your neighbors, work colleagues, business contacts, former employees, and the like.

Look For A Family Law Attorney With Experience

When you are looking for a family law attorney, it is important to find one with a specific expertise on family law.

It is even better if the lawyer works in a law firm staffed with other lawyers who have comprehensive experience with family law.

Once you have prepared a list of potential lawyers to contact, set up interviews and call their references.

Find out how long the attorney has been practicing law and make sure that the lawyer and the lawyer's firm have a positive reputation.

They should be willing to furnish you with references from former clients. If they hesitate or are unwilling to provide references, remove them from your list.

Things To Consider When Choosing A Family Law Attorney

During your interview, you might find lawyers frightening; don't be intimidated as after all, you are their prospective client.

If anything, they need you to avail of their services for their business to thrive.

If they make you feel uncomfortable, move on to the next family law attorney on your list.

You may be tempted to go with the law firm that offers you the lowest hourly rates and/or retainer.

Take into account that you are seeking their legal services to represent you. You will pay for their experience and expertise.

Make sure that all fees, even estimates, are agreed to in writing.

More Things to Consider

Inquire about the availability of additional personnel other than your family law attorney, such as junior lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants, who work with the lawyer you are interviewing.

In the absence of the lawyer you are considering, there must be an available support staff that you can speak to who will know about your case as well.

There is nothing unusual with this type of delegation and it is common in law firms where the more experienced lawyers with the higher billing rate have people to delegate tasks to.

Wrapping It Up

Finally, choose the right family law attorney whom you trust, who treats you with respect, and who you can easily communicate with and above all, trust your instincts.

A good lawyer listens to your concerns and discusses important matters with you to keep you informed.

You should feel comfortable doing business with your family law attorney.

If your attorney acts as if they are doing you a favor and refuses to listen to you or address your concerns, look for another lawyer.

You are paying for their services, not for their condescension.