When it comes to matters of the heart, things don’t always go as you plan. There are many times in life where family can soon turn into your enemy. Whether it is a divorce, custody battle, paternity test or an adoption query – you need an attorney you can trust. Below you’ll find the top questions to ask before you hire an attorney family law San Pedro specialist.
How long has the attorney been practicing?
This is an important question to ask as you need to see just how experienced they are. If you want the best chance of winning you need an attorney that has been practicing for years. Ideally they should have a minimum of 3 years’ experience. However, if you’re looking for the most affordable attorney then a new one could be worth a risk. They tend to have a lower case load and can spend more time on your case.
Are they board certified?
Do they hold the relevant qualifications and can you see them? A board certified attorney will have been practicing for at least 3 years. In order to get certified they need to have practiced various categories and they need to have undertaken a written and oral exam. With so many family attorneys available these days, unless they are board certified you can’t guarantee their reliability.
Do they practice in any other states or countries?
This question will mainly be beneficial to those involved in a custody battle. Sometimes the other parent plans to take the child to a different part of the country or they could choose the leave the country entirely. This would require an attorney family law San Pedro who is willing to work outside of their current area.
Do they know how to handle a trial?
This might seem like a fairly basic requirement. However, even some of the big name attorneys can be rubbish in an actual court room. Some are mainly suited to negotiating behind the scenes. However if your case reaches court you’ll need them to know exactly how to handle the case.
How much of their time will be dedicated to your case?
If they are quite a big name in family law, how many cases do they handle at any one time? Will they be able to give your case adequate attention? As mentioned earlier, sometimes it can be beneficial going with a lesser known attorney. However, if possible find one with experience and the ability to delegate between cases.
The more questions you have, the better you’ll know if the attorney is right for your case. Most importantly you should feel comfortable around them. Try to research them and see testimonials from previous clients. This will give you a good idea of what results to expect.
