Choosing a family lawyer can be difficult. We have put together some useful information to help you understand what you should look for in a family attorney. Here are seven traits that come together to make a great family attorney.
Integrity
This is a big one. Integrity means that the attorney will be honest with you about your case and the way the legal system works. They will discuss the strengths and the weaknesses of your case. They won’t just tell you what they think you want to hear. They will be forthcoming about when you might need to alter expectations, when you should push harder for something, and when you have the best advantage. They will be ethical, and they will always represent you to the best of their ability.
An attorney that has integrity will make sure you understand the direction of the case and which strategies will be used. Also, this attorney will ensure that you have realistic expectations.
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Communication Skills
A good family law attorney will have a team that is accessible to you. When you call, someone should always be able to get your message to a team member or the attorney, and the appropriate person should return your call or email within 24 to 48 hours (and often sooner, depending on court schedules!). Your legal advice should come directly from your attorney, but a great attorney has a competent team that can help you with all aspects of your matter.
Whether it’s via phone call or an email, you should receive regular updates about your case.
Diligence
A great attorney will be working hard to make sure your best interests are represented at all times. They will be honest with you about deadlines, they will be proactive about drafting and discovery matters, and they will be sure to keep your goals and your budget in mind as they do so. Ideally, if something needs to be filed in court, your attorney will have it prepared and ready to go before the deadline arrives. It’s important to find someone who will keep up with the needs of your case and who can help you keep on track, too.
Patience
You want an attorney who can be patient with you and with difficult opposing viewpoints throughout the entirety of your matter. This is a difficult time already. It’s okay for you to be emotional during your divorce, but your attorney should be able to remain calm and patient for you. They will help you take control of things and walk you through all possible outcomes and all possible strategies. The most effective family law attorneys are supportive and help manage your emotions by pointing you toward the right resources. Some firms, like CGG, even practice divorce coaching.
Objectivity
Objectivity is making sure that the analysis of your case is reasonable when looking at a big picture. Instead of viewing your divorce and the issues involved in a vacuum, effective lawyers will use their knowledge of the court system and their past experience to best help project outcomes for you. They understand that courts rarely see issues in black and white terms. Your lawyer will explain how the court might view things and ensure that you understand each option.
While attorneys cannot predict the outcome of a trial, they can look objectively at the facts, evidence, and issues and prepare you for the different scenarios that could arise. They will help you plan and prepare for each one.
Document Preparation Skills
Filing pleadings and motions is an important part of all divorce cases. You want an attorney who can represent you well in person and on paper. By the time you walk into the courtroom for a hearing or for a full blown trial, your lawyer will have likely prepared paperwork on your behalf. Sometimes the judge may even have some background knowledge of your case based on previously filed motions.
For this reason, lawyers need to be skilled in document preparation. One of the best indicators of a good lawyer is someone who has a strong attorney-paralegal team. Paralegals are the folks who help prepare documents for initial filing with the courts, who do much of the “behind-the-scenes” work to help prepare your case, and who work closely with attorneys to be sure your paperwork contains all the right details. You will want a lawyer who has a trusted paralegal, and you should be able to feel confident and comfortable with both of them throughout your case.
Skill and Experience
Don’t be afraid to seek out reviews and testimonials from previous clients and other attorneys. Most attorneys’ firm websites will have a testimonials section, and top-tier attorneys will normally be peer rated (i.e. they will have endorsements from other attorneys in their field, and usually have a page on Martindale Hubbell, a prominent website that collects contact information and reviews for attorneys nationwide).
Choosing the Right Family Law Lawyers Fairfax Northern Virginia
AV ratings on Martindale Hubbell are also a good tool for choosing your attorney. A high AV rating means that peer attorneys in similar fields have reviewed their work positively, and that they are well respected in the legal community. That’s important, because negotiation and litigation are both easier to strategize and implement if your attorney has a good working rapport with opposing counsels.
If you look for the right qualities, hiring a lawyer doesn’t have to be difficult. If you are searching for a family law attorney with the expertise and skill to represent you, contact Cooper Ginsberg Gray today!