Looking for the Best Family Lawyer for You? Here’s What to Ask in Your Initial Consultation
Family Law is an incredibly sensitive and complex field of law. If you are experiencing some family issues and looking for the best family lawyer for your situation, it is essential you engage the right people, as this will determine the outcome of your situation.
Many law firms will offer a free initial consultation. It’s essential to use this time to make sure you’re the right fit for each other. Here are 7 questions to ask in your initial consultation to ensure you choose the best family lawyer for you.
How Long Have You Been Practicing as a Family Lawyer?
This may seem like a fairly straightforward question, but many people fail to ask. Adversely, they may have read online that the business owner has many years of practice, but the junior lawyer likely to be assigned to you has not.
Director Cassandra Pullos has over 30 years’ experience, and is considered one of Queensland’s most senior accredited Family Law specialists. The Pullos team has an incredibly empathetic approach to family law issues, and experience dealing with a wide range of family matters including Relationship and Defacto Law, and International Family Law, specialising in LGBTI and mediation. As a result, we have built a reputation as one of the most respected law firms on the Gold Coast.
Are Out of Court Resolutions a Good Option For Me?
As litigation can be costly, lengthy and emotionally taxing on all parties involved (including children) the best family lawyer will be able to advise if an out-of-court resolution option, like mediation, will be a suitable consideration for you. Mediation is a typically shorter, more economical, and less stressful process, whereby two or more conflicting parties are assisted by a neutral third party in coming together to negotiate a workable, mutual agreement.
Who Will Handle My Case?
As mentioned above, the family lawyer you speak to in your initial consultation may not be the lawyer who is allocated your case. It is important you understand who will be carrying out the work.
What Are the Likely Costs Involved? Will You Send Me Itemised Bills?
All lawyers in Queensland are required to disclose all expected costs. Part 3.4 div 4 and 5 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) (Legal Profession Act) outlines the laws and requirements around legal costs. The best family lawyer will compile a comprehensive written costs agreement which includes how the costs are to be calculated. For any work that will exceed $1500 in costs, solicitors must comply with disclosure rules. This information will need to be shared before you sign any costs agreement. It is important that the information is clear and you agree to the costs and terms of the agreement prior to signing.
Have you Handled Similar Situations?
Previous experience in the same or similar issues is essential in guaranteeing you’ve chosen the best family lawyer for your situation. Ask the lawyer to relay examples or case studies in your consultation. Ask about the processes involved, the outcomes and any key differences between the cases and your own. Ideally, your family lawyer would have experience dealing with many similar cases.
Will You Keep Me Updated in Terms of the Progress of My Case?
Once your case is underway, the best family lawyer will always be able to provide you with a written progress report as well as any potential updates. While there may be a charge for a progress report, your family lawyer cannot charge just for an update of costs.
What Do You Expect of Me as a Client?
The best family lawyer will be happy to outline to you what they will expect of you as a potential client. Typically, you will need to keep the lawyer informed of any changes to your circumstances, as well as any issues you see as having the potential to arise.
A reputable family law firm will outline costs, your payment schedule, and any information or anything else they require from you pertaining to the case.
Ready to Speak To The Best Family Lawyer?
At Pullos Lawyers, we have a team with a depth of experience in a number of family law issues, including divorce, property settlement, child support, international family law, LGBTQI+ law and more, and are committed to helping you and your family achieve positive outcomes through empathetic, tailored approaches. We offer a free initial consultation, so please feel free to get in touch with our team via email, or on (07) 5526 3646 (Gold Coast office) or (07) 3144 1641 (Brisbane Office).