Krispen Culbertson: Interview with a Greensboro Family Law Attorney
Krispen Culbertson is a North Carolina state bar-certified Family Law Attorney. He has been practicing divorce and family law since 1999 and is the founder and senior partner of Culbertson and Associates, a well-known litigation law firm based in Greensboro. We were lucky enough to have an opportunity to interview Krispen and ask a few questions about his practice.
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an attorney, from education to your career?
I’m a law graduate from Oxford University, England and Wake Forest University, North Carolina. I always wanted to work for myself, so, after graduation and a stint with a large firm in Winston-Salem, I started practicing as a solo attorney in Greensboro.
Is there a particular reason as to why you chose Family Law as your field of practice? Have you had any second thoughts about it since choosing that field?
In the beginning stages of my career, I used to handle cases in different areas of Law, mainly Federal and State Criminal Litigation and Appellate practice. I also practiced business law, civil litigation, international law and other general cases. When I began handling Family cases, I felt that this was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to help people going through the most difficult times of their life. I felt that I could make a difference and that my chief strength was that I wasn’t caught up in making things worse by encouraging the differences between these fractured families and furthering the litigation in order to make more attorney fees. Instead, I looked for quick, global solutions that my clients found acceptable which would short-circuit the arguing and the intensity. In the end, I found my clients liked me better for trying to keep what was left of the feeling of a family intact, not enlarging the rift. Especially where children are involved.
What do you think sets a great Attorney apart from an average one? What do you think is that one thing that makes great Attorneys the way they are?
In a word, it’s important to understand that it’s Playground Rules. By this I mean that in order to get true respect as a lawyer you have to be a good trial lawyer. Despite the fancy clothes and the rhetoric that lawyers use, it’s still like the playground: If you want to get the other lawyer’s attention, he or she has to be convinced that you could ultimately beat him in court. It’s just like the playground. If there is a bully or a kid that thinks he’s going to run a situation, you have to make him understand that if he keeps doing that, you’re going to show him up. So, the best lawyers are the ones that have a substantial track record of winning cases at trial. Especially in front of juries in the higher courts. Federal and Superior Courts are both higher courts than District Court, which is where almost all Family Law cases are litigated. If you can win trials in those higher courts, District Court looks easy, and all lawyer opponents and Judges know this.
In addition to this established trial winning ability, I think the passion for solving your clients’ cases and empathy to help them out is what makes an Attorney great. Then, of course, knowing an area of law in and out is also an important aspect.
Being a successful attorney already, what are your future career goals?
I’m a senior partner and founder of a Law firm called Culbertson and Associates. In the coming years, I will try to expand the firm and help people as much as I can. We will find ways to achieve greater excellence in every way. I have talented and expanding staff working with me and I would certainly like to add more young lawyers to the team.
What do you have to say about the goods and bads of being a Family Attorney?
The best thing about being a Greensboro family law attorney is the diversity of cases and people you encounter. One time, I had a case regarding child custody in the morning and in the afternoon, I had to attend a pretrial hearing on a murder case in a different State in the afternoon! I think, this field gives you an opportunity to help people with the thing that is (and should always be) the most important thing in their lives: their family and children. It is also often a situation when they are going through their worst phase in life. The fulfilment alone is tremendous. Unlike other areas of law, this area is quite steady and doesn’t fluctuate much with economy and politics, unless, of course, there’s a major law passed. I have children, and I understand how important it is for parents to salvage what they can of a relationship for their sake.
The downside, I would say, is the emotional aspect. When it comes to family issues, you would have to deal with people who are highly emotional and unpredictable. Unlike other areas, family law practice isn’t about money. It’s about people.
What have you learnt about life, being a family attorney?
Don’t take your family or marriage for granted. Divorce is a very difficult position to be in and trying your best to save the marriage is the better option.
What are the things that students wanting to follow family law should know? Do you have any tips for them?
The first step is to understand what you want to do. If spending a lot of time in courtrooms is your thing, then family law is the right path for you, but only after you’ve created and honed trial skills in the higher courts and in jury trials. (There aren’t any jury trials in family court as a rule, and juries are much more difficult and trickier and require substantially more skill. In Family Law Court, a Judge decides the cases, not a jury.) One thing you can be sure of is that this area of law can be highly gratifying. But there are times when it can be frustrating as well.
One thing I always suggest to young attorneys is to get a mentor. Work as an associate family attorney under a well-known family lawyer. Real-world is very much different from what is mentioned in the books and it is always better to learn from someone who has experience in the field you choose.
Family law is a field where you can thrive as a solo attorney, if you want to maintain control of your firm and law practice. I don’t know of a field in law, which nurtures solo attorneys as much as this. Corporates usually prefer a well-known law firm, while families usually prefer having a solo attorney represent them.
How to Choose a Family Lawyer
Retaining an attorney is one of the most important decisions you can make, particularly if you need a family lawyer. Whether you’re drafting a prenup, settling a divorce or entering into a custody agreement, it’s essential to seek advice from a family attorney.
To ensure your interests are properly represented, you’ll want to ensure you have the best lawyer on your side. When it comes to choosing the right family lawyer, there’s a lot to consider. If you’re searching for a family law attorney, be sure to look at the following issues.
Experience and Expertise
Family law is complex, so it pays to work with a specialist attorney. By retaining an experienced family lawyer, you can ensure that your legal representative is well versed in the relevant, laws, guidelines and precedents. Furthermore, a law firm with extensive experience will be able to handle your case appropriately, compassionately and successfully.
Remember – not all family attorneys will specialize in every area of family law. If you’re dealing with a difficult custody battle, for example, you may need a lawyer who has experience in international child protection. Alternatively, if you’re negotiating a financial settlement as part of a divorce, you may need an attorney who specializes in company valuations and offshore financing arrangements.
Range of Services
Depending on your case, you may require additional legal or financial services. If you suspect your spouse is trying to hide their assets during a divorce, for example, your attorney may advise using a forensic accountant to uncover the potential fraud. Choosing a law firm that offers a wide range of services will ensure you have access to the professional network in you need throughout your legal proceedings.
An important element of family law is mediation and alternative dispute resolution. This enables parties to resolve issues without entering into litigation. As well as being cost-effective, this can minimize distress for everyone involved. When you work with a law firm that has in-house mediators, such as Cline Jensen P.A., you can take advantage of these alternative methods of dispute resolution and still have access to the specialist legal advice you require. With the potential to achieve a settlement more quickly, this collaborative approach can be a viable alternative to court action.
Reputation and Reviews
Although every case is unique, an attorney’s reputation can give you an insight into their working methods, their client care, and their success rates. A personal recommendation can be extremely useful, so you may want to ask family and friends whether they can suggest a reputable law firm.
Of course, not everyone feels comfortable asking acquaintances for law firm recommendations, especially if you’re dealing with personal matters. Fortunately, the internet is a great place to read client reviews and get the lowdown on various law firms and attorneys.
Seeking Family Law Advice
Before you decide whether to take action or what action to take, it’s important to understand your rights. By consulting a family law attorney, you can get the advice and assistance you need before you determine exactly what options are available to you.
What Kind of Experience Do You Need Out of Your Family Lawyer?
When you look for trusted divorce lawyers in East Gwillimbury, experience sits near the top of the list of desirable qualifications. You want your family lawyer to know about the law as it applies to your situation and to use a career in the legal system to get you the best possible results. But what does the word experience really mean in this context? Here is a look at some knowledge your divorce lawyers should have.
Combined Legal Practice
If you schedule your initial consultation with a family lawyer who functions as part of a law office, it helps to know how much combined experience exists within that office. In other words, if you visit and office of divorce lawyers in East Gwillimbury, how many years have each of them been practising family law? While experience is not the only way to gauge the quality of a lawyer, knowing that there is a whole legal team of knowledgeable professionals helps. If your family lawyer has the ability to consult with other lawyers with many years of knowledge, that increases the total intellectual power of your legal team. In the court, experience and knowledge mean a lot, so somebody who has been there and who can consult with other veterans helps immensely.
Case Experience
While a family lawyer in Keswick might have many years of experience, your case might seem relatively unique. In such a situation, it helps to describe the case during the free consultation and then ask how many similar cases the lawyer has tried. The more specific you can be in the consultation, the better an understanding you will have of your potential lawyer’s experience. For example, many family lawyers have dealt with child custody cases. If your child has special physical or emotional needs, that is a complicating factor. Even experienced lawyers might not have as much experience with this type of situation, and you should know what the limits of your lawyer’s expertise are.
Total Resources
While not strictly a matter of experience, you should also inquire about the resources at your lawyer’s disposal before you make a final choice regarding your legal representation. Does the lawyer serve as part of a larger office? If so, who else will be working on your case? What is their level of experience? These are all factors that you should take into consideration. When inquiring about this part of your lawyer’s experience, it might also be a good time to discuss rates and estimated charges. That way, you have a good idea upfront as to how much the representation will cost and what you are getting in exchange for the money you spend.
Knowing the experience, areas of specialty and combined resources that your lawyer has can help you make sure that the arrangement is a good fit. A trip to family court may be one of the most significant legal battles you experience—make sure that you are prepared for what that may bring.
The Complete Checklist for What Should be Included in a Parenting Plan
Not every fairy tale wedding ends with happily ever after. When parents split up, it can be devastating for an entire family.
The first two years are especially difficult for children as they try to process the many changes happening all at once. Protect your children from added stress by creating a parenting plan with your former spouse.
What is a Parenting Plan?
Parenting plans are helpful for everyone. Parents have the chance to talk through a co-parenting strategy together and the court proceedings can move more efficiently if parents agree beforehand.
Parents who can’t agree on a plan will likely end up with a parenting plan assigned to them by a judge. Judges don’t know your children or spouse personally and can’t always give a fair assessment of what’s best for your family.
What is a parenting plan but a chance to ensure your children remain stable during the split? Working out a system with your spouse in advance means keeping your children emotionally grounded while they work through any grief.
The goal of a parenting plan is cooperation. Make sure the plan works for both parties to avoid later conflicts that could land you both back in court.
What Should I Include in My Parenting Plan?
In order for a parenting plan to be effective, it must be detailed. Families have complex schedules and needs that can be quickly summed up by ‘splitting it down the middle.’
Get specific about your expectations moving forward. Here are three sections to include in your parenting plan to help you get started:
Schedule
The biggest thing to manage during a family split is time. Time spent with a child is how you physically care for them.
Let the child’s schedule set the general structure for how daily schedules are created. For example, children enrolled in after school activities might stay late into the evening or go in early mornings for tutoring.
Parents should aim to keep the schedule as stable as possible during their split to avoid disruption. Write down where the children will be each day and for what time frames.
Discuss which of you can most easily take on each time frame until the entire weekly schedule is covered. Even if one parent provided the primary childcare in the past, most courts like to see children balance their time between parents.
This doesn’t mean your parenting plan should result in a 50/50 time split. You may need to get creative to accommodate one parent’s schedule.
For example, a parent who travels often for work might opt to take the children for an entire summer to make up for time lost. Make sure the schedule is easy for both parents to access.
Decide on a way to make updates to it over time. A phone conversation could easily be forgotten down the road.
Make sure all changes are in writing to avoid potential conflict and ensure the child doesn’t miss time with one parent. Shared digital calendars provided through email services or apps are a great option for tracking.
Expenses
Create a spreadsheet of child-related expenses. Child support will become a factor during your divorce proceedings, but in advance of that decision, you can ensure financial stability for your family.
Split the child’s expenses based on what makes the most sense for you short term then create a second version for the long term. This is helpful when one spouse works and the other one stays home.
It gives the stay-at-home spouse a chance to get financially stable and begin taking on more responsibilities more gradually. Make decisions in writing about variable expenses like whether or not to continue with an expensive soccer academy or music lessons.
Make sure both you and your partner agree to the terms before continuing long term, child-related expenses. An overextended spouse might fall short on monthly bills creating instability for the child.
Factor in both parents’ tax situation when thinking of medical expenses and childcare expenses. One parent might get full reimbursement of medical from an employer that can save the family money in the long run.
Holidays/Events
Plan for big decisions early. Grief worsens during the holidays which can make divorcing parents more emotional.
Don’t assume your regular parenting schedule applies to the holidays or around milestone events. Talk about where the children will spend Christmas or birthdays.
If you are religious, discuss major events that might require you to have the child during your partner’s scheduled time. The more you have in writing, the easier it’ll be to resolve misunderstandings.
Alternate major holidays that both parents celebrate. Track on a calendar who gets which year to help you and your children remember where they will be each year.
When to Get Lawyers Involved
In some high profile cases or when a question of safety is involved, you might want to consult with an attorney before or after you create your parenting plan.
Sensitive issues like one spouse’s wealth or mental instability creates a new set of barriers to overcome when making a plan. Most co-parenting plans assume spouses view one another as equal parents who can make sound decisions when it comes to the children.
A lawyer can provide a second opinion on how to communicate certain expectations to your spouse that you would have trouble doing on your own. Know that attorney fees can quickly escalate so have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before setting up a consultation.
The Road Ahead
Every transitioning family needs a parenting plan. A parenting plan makes sure that you and your spouse create the healthiest environment for your children no matter how you feel about each other.
Divorce hurts, but the children will recover quickly in a nurturing, loving environment. For more information and legal advice, visit our blog for updates.
How to Become a Family Lawyer: All the Requirements to Meet
About 39 percent of all marriages in the United States will end in divorce. At the heart of these dissolutions are family lawyers, the professionals who work out divorce agreements and represent clients in family courts.
If you have a passion for helping other people and would love to work in the legal industry, you can become a good family lawyer.
But what are the educational and certification requirements for joining this profession?
Continue reading for a complete guide on how to become a family lawyer.
What Does a Family Lawyer Do?
Before fleshing out the qualification requirements, let’s go over the typical duties of a family lawyer.
You already know these professionals help clients navigate the divorce process, but that’s a quick summary of the job. Before a divorce is finalized, these lawyers will hold meeting with clients, investigate issues like domestic violence, gather witness statements, negotiate settlement agreements with the other party, file applications in the family court, and attend hearings.
When family lawyers aren’t helping couples split, they are bringing them together by creating pre-nuptial agreements. These professionals also help couples looking to adopt kids and they can also serve as mediators in marital disputes.
So, how do you become a family lawyer?
Join Law School and Pursue the Family Law Area of Concentration
The first step to becoming a family lawyer is to join a law school that’s accredited by the American Bar Association. To do this, you must pass the Law School Admission Test.
Once in law school, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a concentration in the second year of study.
As an aspiring family lawyer, you must major in family law. Some of the classes taught in this area of concentration include the formation and dissolution of marriage, women’s rights, dispute resolution, domestic violence law, and juvenile justice.
Upon graduation from law school, you’re ready for the next step.
Get a Licensed to Practice as a Family Lawyer in Your State
All states require lawyers to hold an active legal license in order to practice. As such, you must take and pass your state’s licensing or Bar Examination.
As part of the licensing requirements, your state’s Bar might examine your background (including criminal background, history of substance abuse, and academic misconduct) to establish whether you have the character to be a lawyer.
After meeting all the licensing requirements, you’ll be admitted to the bar. You’re now a family lawyer. You made it!
Find a Job
The last step in your quest to become a family lawyer is to find a job and put your expertise to practice.
You have a couple of options: Most starting family lawyers find employment in small law firms that specialize in family law. Others are hired by mid-size and large firms that have a family law practice, like this law firm.
You can also land a job in non-profit organizations that offer legal services to needy families and children.
Another alternative is to start your own small law firm. As long as you have the capital and the expertise to run a business, you can do it!
That’s How to Become a Family Lawyer
Family law is a rewarding area of law. You’ll earn a competitive salary doing what you love most; helping families.
With this guide on how to become a family lawyer, the path to your dreams is now well-lit. Your job is to take the first step.
Need more professional tips for legal professionals? Keep reading our blog!
Benefits of Having a Good Family Lawyer
A family lawyer deals with cases that surround familial and domestic issues. If you are dealing with matters such as domestic abuse, divorce, spousal support, child custody, and many more, having an attorney that specializes in dealing with these matters significantly increase the chances of you getting the best result out of a court case and preventing any financial or mental backsets.
If you think that you have met the love of your life and you don’t need to protect yourself legally, you are not alone. A competent family lawyer can help you to make some crucial decisions regarding prenuptial agreements, and how to distribute your assets to make sure that getting married is not the worst decision of your lifetime.
If you think you are betraying your loved one by getting a prenup, it might prove to be a comfort to know that these laws are designed to facilitate residents of a house and to resolve disputes in a professional manner.
So, let’s look at the benefits having a family lawyer will give you and your loved one.
Knowledge of Family Laws
Family laws vary with a country from state to state. The most obvious benefit of hiring a good family lawyer is that he is an expert in family laws and understand them. These attorneys are experienced in finding loopholes in cases and presenting your story in a better way in front of the judge that can make a major difference between winning and losing a case. If you are living in the Ontario region, you should get the services of someone like a Family Lawyer Toronto. Law firms like these only hire lawyers that are well versed in family laws in the Toronto region.
Unbiased View of the Case
Dealing with family issues can take its toll on a person. More often than not, emotional issues come into play due to which a person can miss out and ignore vital information that can be beneficial for your case.
These lawyers are above any emotional bonds and therefore can take the load of researching and finding valuable evidence off your chest.
Emotional Support
A divorce or a child custody case affects the father and the mother on a mental and emotional level. This might lead to a lot of stress, and you might find yourself on the verge of collapse. These family lawyers have an experience of dealing with such matters and are therefore not only an expert in taking care of legal proceedings but can also provide you with a much needed emotional and moral support in case you need it.
Saves Time and Money
Family attorneys not only prove to save a lot of time, but they can save you a lot of money by resolving the matter as soon as possible. By eliminating the need for going to the court and finding out alternative solutions to the dispute, you will get precisely where you were looking for; a peace of mind.
Can Act a Counselor
A lot of times, families only need a 3rd party perspective and someone to intermediate as a counselor and a therapist. Good lawyering services hire lawyers that have some counselling experience so that the husband and wife understand the importance of each other and instead of making any rushed decisions, think things through.
What is a Family Law Attorney and What Can They Do For You?
You may have heard from a friend that you need to speak with a family law attorney. But what is a family law attorney?
If you’re anticipating some legal issues, you might be looking for help to make sure things turn out in your favor. Getting legal help may be the best thing you can do for your case.
Continue reading this article to learn what a family lawyer is and how they can help you.
The 411 on a Family Law Attorney
Don’t choose to take on the case yourself because you don’t understand the role of a family law attorney. If you represent yourself in court, you are likely to miss some of the best strategies to help you win your case. We’ll answer your questions so you understand the role of a family law attorney.
What is a Family Law Attorney?
A family lawyer is a lawyer that specializes in family law which includes but is not limited to divorce, custody cases and adoption. These attorneys work with families to help them understand the legal process and get the best outcome possible.
If you are trying to adopt, get a divorce, prove paternity or get more favorable child custody and support arrangements, this might be a good time to speak with a family law attorney for help.
How to Make Sure You Hire the Best Attorney
Once you determine that you’re going to hire an attorney, you need to make sure you pick the best one since your case depends upon it. Here are some tips that you can use to find the best attorney for you.
Check Reviews
Before you even speak to an attorney, you should look them up online and check their reviews. If they have very bad reviews you shouldn’t even waste your time with them. If their reviews don’t give you enough data to make a decision, you’ll need to spend some additional time on the next recommendation.
Ask for References
After you speak to the attorney and you get a good feeling about them, you should ask them for references. If they are a good attorney, they won’t have any problem getting a couple of past clients to give them references.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
When you’re speaking to an attorney you might want to hire, don’t be afraid to ask them any questions you have. Even if you think the question might sound dumb, you should still ask it.
Ask them about how long they’ve been practicing in your area. Ask if they will be the person you will be mainly dealing with and what you should do to make the case go as smoothly as possible.
Learn More About the Law & Your Rights
Now that you know more about hiring a family law attorney, why not learn more about legal issues? The more you know, the easier it will be to protect yourself from people that might want to take advantage of you.
Browse our site, find your favorite section, drop a bookmark and come back soon for more great reads.
5 Signs of a Bad Family Law Attorney
Things have to be pretty serious for you to need to hire a family law attorney. We often choose attorneys because they are sympathetic, a good listener, or come with good recommendations. However, these traits aren’t enough, and some good traits in excess can be bad for your case. One of the worst mistakes you can make is choosing a bad attorney. Here are five signs of a bad family law attorney.
Too Emotional
You want an attorney who listens to your case and sympathizes with your plight. However, it is a serious problem if the attorney is too empathetic.
After all, you don’t want a doctor who is so torn up at the sight of your pain they can’t help you. The same is true of your attorney. Don’t work with an attorney who calls your spouse names, uses inflammatory language or engages in other unprofessional behavior. Only work with an attorney who is objective about your case.
Dismissive
Good family lawyers will practice empathetic listening. Your attorney should outline the work you’ll need to do like produce documents, give depositions and review court documents.
An attorney may subtly indicate their poor opinion of you in other ways. It may be glancing at their watch repeatedly. It may be saying that you shouldn’t call them, they’ll call or email you when there is finally a reason to do so. In contrast, a good attorney will keep you updated on your case and educate you about what is going on.
Critical
An attorney who is too critical, whether of you or other attorneys, should be avoided. If they’re critical of other attorneys, this gets in the way of working with them. However, it isn’t unreasonable for an attorney to be critical of lying and cheating in a client. In fact, an attorney who overlooks bad behavior like this while making grand promises is probably going to take the case and run with it until you run out of money.
Sets Unrealistic Expectations
An attorney can give estimates. For example, it is reasonable to estimate how much you’ll have to pay in child support based on your income. The warning sign is the attorney who guarantees results. The attorney can share what percentage of cases they win and give a rough estimate of the odds they’ll win in your case. However, the outcomes are not certain and often not even clear. On the flip side, an attorney who won’t give you their opinion regarding the merits of your case or the possibility you’ll win is doing you a disservice.
Firms like Sue Wilson Family Law, for instance, will help you fight for the best outcome. This may be making your voice heard, settling the divorce fairly and quickly, adjusting child support and alimony or coming to an agreement on child custody.
Gives You a Hard Sale
The good attorney’s reputation and demeanor will make their case. This is why an attorney giving you a hard sale is a red flag.
Any attorney giving you unrealistic expectations and promising everything should also be taken as warnings. If they say they can get anything and everything you want, leave. An attorney who has to argue that they are qualified to take your case should be avoided.
Conclusion
No matter what you’re facing in family court, you can’t afford to hire a bad attorney. With a good one, the process will be as straightforward and painless as possible.
What to Do When a House is Not Always a Home
Everybody dreams of having their own homes and families when they grow up – it does not matter what the size, who the spouse, how many children or none at all, how many dogs, cats, or any kind of pet, each and every person has their own vision of how their future family would be like. Most people think that the very first step to having a happy family is owning their very own home, but that is not really the case. This is sad and unfortunate, but it is actually also a reality. There will be days that going back to your house does not necessarily mean going “home”. A house is different than a home. You can have a great house, all fixed up with the most beautiful decorations and the strongest structures, but that does not always equate to having a great home to go arrive to – a home that is peaceful, loving, supportive, and healthy. When this happens, it is not inevitable that there will be problems, disagreements, problems and non-cooperative members of the family. Should this happen, it is advisable that the members of the family affected get family law solicitors that would help everyone involved to settle in an amicable and fair manner.
Empathic Legal Counsel
With family law solicitors, you would not feel that you are talking to a law handbook. It will not cite legalities and technicalities to you without having to explain it in a way that you would empathize with or relate. Most family law solicitors have a sense of compassion toward their clients. Even though they give legal advices, they provide it at a level that their clients would understand – most especially the children involved. Because they have more empathy in the undertakings they do, peaceful settlements are highly achieved that need not be forwarded to a court for further expenses of not only money, but of course time as well. Do not be wary though that these solicitors be too empathic toward you, because they still have a code of conduct to uphold a solicitor thus maintaining a good balance between being a professional yet being someone you could easily approach.
Negotiation for the Common Good
With lawyers, they will fight and negotiate for the betterment of the party he or she is representing. Because each party is represented by their own lawyers with their own agendas, settlements would not be easily achieved because of the clashing wants and needs from both ends. For example, when a couple goes through a divorce and they each hire a lawyer of their own for their settlement, one spouse may opt to one-up each other with the negotiations. This will only be an on-going bantering and exchanges without a compromise. Not only will it waste so much time, but it will also cost a lot of money. And imagine if that couple had children, who would think of their benefit? With family law solicitors, you would be guaranteed that the best settlement for the common good of your family will be discussed and agreed with both parties having a win-win situation – most especially while giving priority to the well-being of the children.
Cost Efficient Based on Your Budget
Legal fees are expensive, especially if you are going through court proceedings or just merely seeking for legal advice on your current situation. Most lawyers have upfront charges and fixed rates that are so ludicrously high that you would lose a lot more if you are going through a divorce just by hiring them. There are legal service providers which have very flexible payment schemes when it comes to their family law solicitors services. It will cater primarily on your budget, how you are able to pay, and just when you avail of their services. Unlike with lawyers who may sometimes have fixed representation schedules, you can pay family law solicitors when you just need them or use their services. This again, highlights the highly empathic quality family law solicitors have, because it is evidently expensive to actually have a family and then to only go to court and fight for it – they understand it and they do not want to make things harder for you.
Support From Start to End
Going through any legal problems relating to the family is not easy. Whether if it is couples going through a divorce, single parents seeking financial claims from their estranged spouses, fighting for the custody of your children, seeking to gain help because of domestic violence, or even before having to start a family and be secured with pre-nuptial agreements – it is tough and overwhelming. When you choose the service of such solicitors, you would not be astounded with the decisions you have to make, or the settlements you want to pursue, because they will be with you every step of the way. After all, you do not have to go through such a tough time in your life alone.
Going Through a Divorce?: How to Find the Best Divorce Attorney
Unfortunately, not all marriages work out. If you’re in this situation, then hiring a divorce attorney can help you navigate through this hard time.
Sadly, you aren’t alone. An estimated 40% to 50% of marriages in the United States fail.
This does mean that there will be a divorce lawyer out there who can help.
But how do you find the best one?
Follow the tips below to help with your search.
1. Know What Your Goals Are
What do you want to get out of your divorce?
A divorce is a tricky process. You’re going to be diving up money, assets, and potentially dealing with child custody.
You want to hire someone that knows how to help you achieve your goals. When talking with attorneys, ask about their past cases with situations similar to yours.
If you find someone with a good history of winning, then you increase your chance of a successful outcome.
2. Have a List of Questions
You shouldn’t go into the first meeting with an attorney without preparing. Have a list of questions prepared for them.
These questions should answer a few things:
- How am I billed?
- Do you specialize in divorce cases?
- Will you be the one working on my case?
- Do you have any conflicts of interest in my case?
- Have you worked with the opposing attorney before?
The more questions you ask, the better you can judge if an attorney is right for your case.
If you’re ready to start asking questions you can contact divorce attorney, Cynthia Diggs to get your answers.
3. Look for Disciplinary Problems
You don’t want to babysit a problem-child during your divorce. Make sure you research any disciplinary problems a lawyer has had.
You can find this information at your state’s disciplinary board.
While this may not rule out a lawyer completely, it can be a reason to ask more questions.
4. Find Referrals
The best advertising is word of mouth. There’s nothing better than hearing from a past customer that had good results.
Make use of online review sites to see which lawyers in your area are highly rated. Prioritize finding them and getting in touch with them first.
Once you find the set of lawyers you want to work with, ask for referrals from them.
If they provide you this, you can get a first-hand account of what it’s like to work with someone. You’ll be able to learn the good and the bad.
5. Talk in Person First
It’s important to talk to a lawyer in person before hiring. You want to get a sense of the kind of person they are.
You could be working with them for a long time. You want to be sure that their personality matches what you’re looking for in an attorney.
You can also use this time to learn how hands-on they will be in the process.
Do you want someone who will hold your hand or someone that lets you take care of some of the work?
Don’t Rush Into Hiring a Divorce Attorney
Going through a divorce can be a long and tedious process. If you don’t want to make this process worse, then do your research and find a good divorce attorney.
Having someone on your side that does good work can make the process much easier.
Are you looking for more legal advice? You can find blog posts here about any legal topic.
