There are many areas of the family law; divorce, marriage annulment, child custody, etc. If you truly consider the things that are at stake in a family-related legal battle, you’ll find that Experience, Preparation and Competence are extremely crucial because poorly prepared family-related legal cases result in to one or several of the following:
- Destroy families
- Create deep emotional problems to persons involved
- Take a significant toll on your finances.
- Lost opportunity for income
- Tarnish your reputation
Having your case prepared and presented in the best possible approach and tipping the scales of Justice to your advantage will considerably transform your life. Remember that each family lawyer is unique
Although it is true that no two divorce lawyers are the same, the best lawyers posses common attributes. The following 7 Qualities of a Highly Effective and Competent family lawyer should guide you in finding the right lawyer to work on your unique case.
1) Expertise in the Field
There are quite a number of licensed family lawyers out there, as are the different types of law firms and the different types of litigation. It is important to realize that each type of litigation requires an incredibly committed family lawyer in order to be considered capable and “EXPERT” on the topic.
With thousands of hours dedicated to studying various technicalities in laws, as well as the continuously growing list of new cases and overturned decisions, the processes involved in handling cases like yours are constantly changing.
This is why, when a family lawyer, specializes, it is much more likely to be completely up-to-date on all of the relevant aspects of law as they apply in your case, and the varying degrees of relevant cases.
2) A Successful Track Record
There’s an abundance of family lawyers who think about themselves as experts. Among the best methods to determine if your best interest is being properly looked after is to inspect lawyer’s track record. Don’t be fooled by numbers. 100 cases won by a lawyer is quite impressive, but it could easily get drowned out by the same lawyer’s 200 loses!
What’s more important is the win loss ratio, in other words look at the win/loss percentages. While history offers no guarantee of future performance, it is a good indicator of what to expect.
3) Respect and Admiration Among Colleagues & The Courts
One of the insider secrets to getting the best outcome for your case is to select a family lawyer that is not only held in high regard by their peers but also by the courts. The majority of cases are resolved before they even reach the courtroom and this is where your lawyer’s reputation comes into play. Your attorney’s level of respect within the industry plays a key role in critical negotiations as well as the overall process and final outcome.
4) True Advocacy
Finding a family attorney whose key focus is your best interest is another integral part of your overall selection process. The truth is that anyone with the appropriate qualifications can become an attorney. But becoming an outstanding attorney doesn’t happen simply after passing the bar.
The difference between winning and losing in many court proceedings comes from an attorney’s genuine commitment to being your advocate. Having a steadfast attorney strongly defending your best interest with both knowledge and empathy will play a vital role in the final outcome of the case.
5) Likability
Though this may seem irrelevant to suggest, but we believe that in any relationship, there must be a strong element of likability and rapport. We have found that likability and rapport starts with compassion for your situation. We understand that bad things happen to good people.
This is a serious time in your life that comes with feelings of helplessness and a sense of being out of control which can be overwhelming. Based on extensive experience and our level of understanding with these challenges, we have found that taking the time to clearly understand your case then creating a plan that aligns with your best interest and unique legal requirements brings a level comfort to an already challenging set of decisions.
6) Communication
Communication is the most common missing ingredient when selecting a competent family lawyer. Legal battles are challenging and confusing for everyone involved. The ability to communicate the important issues in simple language that doesn’t require a law degree is a vital part of keeping you in the loop.
Constant communication between you and your attorney is crucial in keeping your sense of what is happening along with a good grasp of where your case is headed. This, coupled with constant updates along the way add to your overall understanding and confidence
7) Trust
Combine all of the six key elements above and you’ll create a good level of trust and confidence in your attorney.
Conclusion
Family lawyers have been trained in the ways of the Law, with only fundamental understanding of entrepreneurial concepts, but many attorneys lack the critical business skills to consistently provide these 7 Key Elements and produce a great outcome for you.