How To Pick The Best Child Custody Lawyer In Arizona
A divorce is a complicated process, and while it may not be on the same level of difficulty as child custody cases, there are still many things to consider when divorcing. You need your children’s best interests in mind at all times–and that includes their mental health and safety. There are plenty of reasons why you should have an experienced attorney represent you during this difficult time; for starters, they can advise you how to navigate through different aspects like alimony agreements or property settlements so that everything goes smoothly without hiccups along the way.
Choosing the Best Family Law Attorney for Your Custody Case: Tips and Tricks
1. Complete Your Homework
Online search tools (such as Yelp, Google, and Avvo) will typically group and recommend attorneys based on their practice area and region. Check through the websites of the family law attorneys in your area once you’ve discovered a few. Is the website appealing and useful? Does the lawyer have a professional appearance?
While online reviews cannot give a complete picture of an attorney’s reputation, they can be useful in providing information about other people’s experiences with that attorney. A critical step in the process of screening possible family law lawyers is ensuring that the attorneys you plan to meet with have a clean disciplinary record. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice of family lawyers, meet with each of them (over the phone or via Zoom) and discuss your case with them to ensure that you’re comfortable with the family lawyer you choose to represent you in your custody battle.
2. “Do I Like This Lawyer?” is a question you should ask yourself
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution! You don’t get along with everyone on the earth, so it’s understandable that you won’t feel at ease with every family lawyer you meet.
You must be able to communicate with your attorney. The initial meeting is as much about determining if you and your attorney will get along as it is about learning about California custody law and how it applies to your case. Consider how you will feel later in the case if you hire this lawyer because he or she is rude, preoccupied, unorganized, or acts in any other way that does not inspire trust. This is especially true if you are unable to reach an agreement on joint custody and must go to family court.
3. Choose a Lawyer, Not a Law Firm
The most crucial relationship is between the lawyer and the client, not the law firm and the client. Just because a law practice has vast expertise and a solid reputation in family law does not imply that every attorney at the firm possesses that experience and reputation.
As your lawyer, seek out a relationship with an individual attorney in a firm. “Will you be handling my case?” ask the lawyer you meet with.
If you have a good rapport with the lawyer with whom you had your consultation but will not be working, you may want to request a meeting with the associate who will be managing your case.
4. Do Not Select a Family Law Attorney Based Solely on a Friend’s Recommendation
You may have friends or family members who have gone through a custody dispute and would like to provide you legal advice or recommend an attorney, but they will not necessarily know what is best for you.
If you have a friend who cannot speak highly enough of his or her California custody attorney, you should undoubtedly study that attorney and book a consultation with them; nevertheless, don’t rely only on a friend’s suggestion! A suggested attorney may have been ideal for your friend’s custody case, but this does not imply that they are ideal for you or your case. Friends and relatives can provide emotional support, but they are not legal professionals.
Consider a friend’s referral to be the beginning, not the end, of the process. Because you will be the one who has to live with the outcome of your custody case, it is critical that you be in charge of selecting the best family law attorney for yourself. A father or mother might lose custody of their child if certain mistakes are made during their custody case, so having an attorney you can rely on to help you prevent those mistakes is critical.
Are You Looking for a Family Law Attorney You Can Trust?
The decision of child custody is one that needs to be made with careful consideration. One might think it’s a simple matter, but there are many responsibilities and decisions involved in the process. The courts will want to know who has cared for your children most often; how much time you spend together as parents each week; if either parent abuses drugs or alcohol excessively (or have done so in the past); where would your kids live best – near their other family members? The attorneys at GillespieShields are well-versed in a variety of different legal fields, ranging from family law to civil suits, employment disputes and probate cases. Although we specialize in several areas of practice, our greatest passion is family law. Whether you’re filing for dissolution or divorce, determining custody of your children, or thinking about adopting children, our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way. During our private, one-on-one consultation, we’ll take the necessary time to answer all of your questions surrounding Arizona’s family laws, your family’s unique situation, and the possible court outcomes. Contact us today for your consultation!
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