How To Choose A Family Lawyer

This is certainly one of the most tricky and important considerations. And, I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve had some bad luck with family lawyers. Oh, it’s true. It’s damn true. However, in life, you learn some lessons the hard way, and, I’m going to relay a bit of my personal experience and a bit of my research.

A great way to get a lawyer is to go to your family court and observe. You are allowed to do this. Go see the different lawyers in action; and, if you see somebody who impresses you, speak to them afterwards and possibly get a name and address if you want to further interview the lawyer.

First, you always meet with an attorney, obviously, before hiring him. Trust your gut. Trust your intuition. It’s one of the most powerful tools you have. Pay attention to facial expressions and body language.

Second, if a lawyer consistently does not quickly return your calls, fire him. I repeat, if a lawyer consistently does not quickly return your calls, fire him. End it sooner rather than later. There will be an instance where you need an answer from your lawyer quickly. Believe me. You want somebody that responds. If you pick up on a heavy attitude of arrogance and self-importance from the lawyer, fuck him… don’t hire him. You want accessibility from somebody you can talk to… you are not paying big bucks to be given an inferiority complex! (I include this paragraph right at the top of this essay because I really wish I would have read this paragraph somewhere about three years ago!!!)

One of the best ways, in my opinion, to select a lawyer is by getting recommendations from trusted friends.

You can search the web, but, really, what does a website really tell you about a person’s character? It’s tough to make a determination that way.

Some people check the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is considered by many to be a highly trusted and respected source. This law directory tries to index every attorney currently practicing in America. It rates the lawyers. AV is the highest rating. I used this directory personally and hired an AV lawyer. Lesson learned: Fuck the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The best way to find a good lawyer is to talk to trusted friends, and, particularly those who have gone through a divorce or custody dispute.

And, of course, make contacts with any father’s rights organization you can… I mean, you should already be doing that anyway. These members are going to be good sources of information.

When a potential attorney is chosen, you will have an initial meeting with the attorney. This is generally free. Think of it as an interview. Trust your intuition. Trust your gut. Ask any question that your gut tells you matters. Look at this individual’s eyes. What do you see there? I’m not going to lie. Some attorneys are total scum. Almost all of them are in it for the dollar. Truth be told… it makes me ill sometimes that I even am forced to deal with them. Yes, I’m being very candid. I didn’t bring you over to this website to lie to you.

But, you have found yourself in this difficult situation where a woman is attempting to keep us from our child, and, yes, you have to be strong, cool, and smart! DO NOT LET YOUR EMOTIONS GET THE BETTER OF YOU! And, remember, it’s never too late to again make an appeal to your ex for mediation. If you can go that route, DO!

Now, when you have your interview with the attorney, ask anything that feels right. Here’s a list of some questions that can be useful for you.

• What’s your return call policy? How available are you for emergencies? How quickly? Pay very close attention to the answers to these questions!
• Percentage of your practice devoted to family law? You want an attorney whose entire practice is family law, and, more specifically, with an emphasis on father’s rights.
• How long you been practicing in this state? Where’d you go to school sir? Are you a divorced parent? If so, you have custody of your kids? (If he doesn’t have custody) Why not?
• You know our local judges?
• How do you feel about dads as parents? joint custody?
• How do you feel about settling out of court? mediation? arbitration?
• How many trials decided in your favor? How many lasted for more than a year?
• What’s your retainer? Hourly rate? Estimate for my case? Do I get monthly statements? What are the payment arrangements?
  
  TRUST YOUR GUT…

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