How to Find the Right Family Solicitor?
As mentioned in our previous article on how to choose the best family lawyer, there are many reasons you will likely need a solicitors help, such as:
- Divorce
- Child arrangements, child support and guardianship
- Paternity
- Adoption and foster care
- Domestic violence
- Child abuse and neglect
- Emancipation and reproductive rights
- Representing clients in family court proceedings or in negotiations related to these matters
The practical guidance and support of a solicitor can be vital in the above stressful situations, and even in things that we might think we don’t need help with, like:
- Drafting important legal documents such as court petitions or property agreements
- Inheritance law, retirements and pensions
- Witnessing documents
So how can you prepare for the process of finding the right solicitor for you?
Firstly, here are some things to find out when meeting with a prospective solicitor:
Are they registered with a governing body?
For a solicitor to stay in practice they are usually required to register as a member with a governing body. It would be risky to go with a solicitor that isn’t.
How much experience do they have?
It is best to find out whether they have experience in working with your kind of case. And the more years a solicitor has under their belt, the better. More than 5 years is ideal as this will no doubt increase your chances of winning the case and quell some of those fears.
Do they have a good reputation?
It can be dangerous dealing with a solicitor that has a damaged reputation. You can do some research online about them or contact the local authorities for any information they may have. Even better, you could ask the solicitor to provide you with references of previous clients that you could contact.
What are their fees?
It is vital to know up front what the fees will be to make sure that their rates are affordable for you. It is best to get it all in writing to make sure you are clear on the costs as some solicitors work on a flat-fee basis whereas others charge by the hour. And of course the costs will vary depending on the services required.
What is their communication like?
Unfortunately, some solicitor’s communication leaves much to be desired, only responding when you ask them a question. On the other hand, if they are proactive in communicating, keeping you updated on the status of your case without having to be prompted, that is a good sign.
To conclude
Most of the above mentioned points might seem quite obvious and could be thought of as common sense. But sometimes, when under stress, it can be easy to want to rush things to get the pain over with. We can forget all about simple but very helpful things such as making notes and giving yourself some time to think before making a decision.
Next month we will share some tips on how you can prepare to meet with prospective solicitors which we believe makes it all a whole lot less of a daunting task.
To get in touch with one of the team and chat about your case or get advice on your situation call us on 01737 551821 or email us at law@ludlowlane.co.uk