There are family law attorneys out there that specialize in family law. If you’re going through a divorce, hiring one of those family law attorneys is probably your best bet.
However, family law covers many different things. Child custody, child support, visitation rights, and much more can fall under this category. You may need to consult a Houston family law attorney even if you do not plan on getting a divorce.
So how do you figure out which family law attorney might be right for you?
Well, first – beware of the “cheap” family lawyer because he’s almost always going to be a bad family lawyer. There are some exceptions to this rule, but it holds true most of the time. In other words – if you see a family law attorney advertising his services for $10 an hour – it should be a huge red flag. Hire someone else.
Next, family lawyers don’t usually advertise their services in the local phone book under family law attorneys. They specialize in family law, and that’s what they want to focus on. Other family lawyers will know who the good family lawyers are – but you’re going to have to do some research by yourself.
The best way is through word of mouth referrals from other family members or friends who have been through this before or even someone your family knows within your community, church, or school. In other words – make sure to ask around.
You could also check with your state bar association. They’ll have a list of family law attorneys that are licensed to practice in your state.
And finally, the internet is your friend! There are websites that rate family law attorneys or you can simply google ” family law attorney (city name). ” This should give you a good starting point.
Once you’ve found a few family law attorneys that look like they might be a good fit for you, it’s time for the interview process.
Most family law attorneys will offer a free consultation, so take advantage of that and ask lots of questions. What experience does he have with family law cases similar to mine? How often does he go to court? What’s his hourly rate? Is there anything I should be worried about? You get the idea.
And if you like what he has to say and feel like this family law attorney is someone you can work with – don’t be afraid to ask for a few references! Family lawyers cannot provide case-specific references, but they should be able to give you some names of people they’ve worked with within the past who would recommend them.
Once you find a family law attorney that seems like a good fit, it’s time for that ever-important bargaining session – fees! How much will he charge me per hour vs. an all-inclusive flat fee? There are pros and cons to both, so make sure you consult your family lawyer before agreeing on any sort of rates or fees. Ask if there are any additional fees as well – like filing fees, court costs, or anything else you might not be expected on top of his hourly rate, a flat fee or all-inclusive fee.