Questions to Ask During a Family Law Consultation

Family court is a life changing experience, and having the right legal counsel is key to making beneficial decisions and positive changes.The importance of this decision can make most anyone feel uncertain, but knowing how to vet potential attorneys can bring peace of mind as the wheels start turning on your family case or divorce. 

Not every family law attorney will be qualified to handle your case; however, this won’t stop all of them from trying. This means it is up to you to weed out any ill-suited candidates. It is important to ask the right questions. Try starting with their experience:

  • How long have they practiced law?
  • What is their main area of practice? What percentage of their cases fall into this category?
  • Who is their typical client?
  • How do they handle communication with clients? What is their availability?

Once you have a better idea of what working with an attorney might be like, it is a good idea to pick their brain about your case. 

  • What are some cases they have worked that were similar to yours?
  • What relevant qualifications or knowledge do they have that apply to your case?
  • How would they approach your case? What options are available to you?
  • What are the potential outcomes of your case?
  • Are there any conflicts of interest between your case and any of their other cases, clients, or relationships?

Asking questions is important, but having the right answers doesn’t always mean a lawyer has what it takes to win your case. Be weary of excessive promises. Overpromising suggests a lack of confidence in their own skills, and guaranteeing outcomes is something that reasonable, more experienced attorneys generally avoid. Also watch for lawyers who offer up too many details about other clients. If they share sensitive information about others, they’ll share details about your case just as easily.

Above all, trust your gut. If something about your conversation makes you feel uneasy, there is probably a good reason.

If you are in search of a family law attorney to help guide you through the process of divorce, call the Law Office of Joseph Cerino today at (239) 561-2820.

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The law office of Joseph Cerino handles all matters of litigation, concentrating in family law including divorce, custody, child support, paternity, alimony, property division and domestic violence, as well as, criminal defense and appeals in Southwest Florida.

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