You may want a family lawyer to assist with happy life events like marriage and adoption. On the other hand, you may also need to hire a family lawyer to help you through more difficult situations like separation, divorce, or custody battles.
To find a good family law lawyer, seek recommendations from trusted sources, check online reviews, and verify the lawyer’s experience and specialization in family law cases. It’s also helpful to schedule a consultation to assess their approach and ensure they align with your needs.
If you have questions about marriage, divorce, child custody, support, adoption, or any other family law matter, Onyx Law Group can provide answers. Our family lawyers have a deep understanding of the legal issues surrounding family law matters. We can provide valuable guidance and help you take steps toward a positive outcome. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Whatever the issue or challenge may be, the right lawyer can make a significant difference. Today’s article will provide helpful tips for finding the best family lawyer for you, including questions to ask and skills to look for.
What Is Family Law?
Family law encompasses a wide range of legal matters, including cohabitation, marriage, separation, divorce, child custody (parenting arrangements and parental responsibilities), child support, guardianship, contact with a child, spousal support, division of property and debt, adoption, and relocation (a parent wanting to move, where the move will have a significant impact on the child’s relationship with the other parent).
Family law issues are governed by both provincial and federal legislation. It’s important to work with a lawyer who is well-versed in the nuances of British Columbia family law and Canadian family law, and who has in-depth knowledge of how the courts have interpreted and applied those laws in other family law cases.
How to Find a Good Family Law Lawyer
A good family lawyer understands legal issues and brings legal expertise, but also recognizes the deeply personal nature of family law matters and handles them with care and compassion. To find a good family law lawyer, you should identify your needs, conduct research, verify their experience in family law, and schedule a consultation to ensure they meet your needs.
Identify Your Needs
The first step in the decision-making process is to think about the help you need. For example:
- Are you looking to protect yourself with a Prenuptial Agreement or Marriage Contract?
- Are you moving in with a new partner and need a Cohabitation Agreement?
- Are you in the early stages of separating from your spouse and wondering about your legal rights?
- Do you need help negotiating a Separation Agreement to settle property and debt issues?
- Do you need to get a parenting plan in place?
- Are you adopting a child?
- Have family law proceedings been started, or do you want to start legal proceedings in the family court system?
- Are you experiencing domestic violence? Do you need emergency orders or protection orders for yourself or your children?
- Do you or your spouse own significant assets, investments, or a family business? (Complex assets and high-net-worth divorces are best handled by an experienced family law lawyer).
- Has your former spouse stopped paying child support or spousal support?
The key at this stage is to identify the questions you have and the help you need as best you can so you can find a lawyer with the skills and experience specifically relating to your needs.
Start Your Research
Next, start researching potential family lawyers. Take your time with this, as selecting the right family lawyer is a personal decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case and your overall well-being.
The internet is an excellent resource in this regard. Conduct an internet search to find potential family lawyers in your area. When you do your internet search, don’t simply go with the first law firm that comes up. Take the time to review several law firm websites.
Read the lawyer bios to see how long they’ve been practicing family law. Do they devote their practice exclusively to family law like the team at Onyx Law Group, or do they “dabble” in family law? Read client testimonials and reviews from past clients. Look at the blog posts, videos and articles they’ve put online. Do they have in-depth knowledge and experience specifically geared to your family law matter? Have they handled cases like yours in the past? You want a lawyer specializing in family law with a strong track record in cases similar to yours.
Feedback from others is also a great resource. In addition to reading client reviews from past clients posted online, you should ask around among friends, family, co-workers, etc. for their thoughts and recommendations. If you’ve worked with other lawyers in the past (e.g. a real estate lawyer when you bought your home), you may want to ask them their opinion on who is a reputable, knowledgeable family lawyer.
Check Qualifications and Experience
After you’ve narrowed down your list to a few lawyers, confirm that each potential family lawyer is properly licensed in your jurisdiction and in good standing in the legal profession. The Law Society of BC has a searchable lawyer directory that can be used to find out information such as when the lawyer was called to the bar and whether they’ve been subject to discipline, regulatory proceedings, or practice restrictions.
Meet Potential Family Lawyers and Ask Key Questions
You should schedule consultations with each potential family lawyer so you can ask questions and get a feel for their approach and their communication style. It’s extremely important to choose a lawyer whom you feel comfortable sharing personal information with, who communicates clearly and effectively, and whose approach aligns with your needs and values. At Onyx Law Group, we have a team of lawyers who are passionate, confident, and approach all matters with empathy. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
When to Hire a Family Law Lawyer?
The best rule of thumb is that you should consider whether protection and advice from a family lawyer is needed any time you are going through a big life change, such as moving in with a new partner, marriage, adoption, separating from your spouse, or starting divorce proceedings.
As soon as an issue arises, you should reach out to a family lawyer to discuss your situation, ask about their legal services, and make an informed decision about whether it’s in your best interests to hire a lawyer. It’s better to gain insight in the early stages, before legal issues or conflicts get out of hand.
Are a Family Lawyer and a Divorce Lawyer the Same?
There is no official difference between family lawyers and divorce lawyers. Divorce is part of the field of family law. Family lawyers handle separations and divorce proceedings as part of their practice, and lawyers who market themselves as “divorce lawyers” are usually handling family law cases of all types.
Tips to Know Before Hiring a Family Lawyer
In addition to discussing the issues, facts, and your legal rights, you should inquire about the lawyer’s experience, their approach to matters like yours, and the lawyer’s fee structure so you get a clear picture of what working with them will be like. It’s a good idea to make a list of questions and bring it to the initial consultation so you are prepared. Questions to ask include:
- What is your experience with cases like mine?
- What are your legal fees and billing/fee structure (hourly, flat fee, retainer)?
- How will you communicate with me during the case?
- Who will handle my case (you or a member of your team)?
- What are my options, and which option do you recommend?
- How long will the process take?
- Can you provide me with a “roadmap” for different scenarios?
- What outcomes can I realistically expect?
After meeting with potential lawyers, you will be in a great position to make an informed decision about who to work with.
A word on free consultations is in order. Different lawyers have different policies. Some family lawyers offer free initial consultations. These are typically brief meetings, which means you likely won’t have enough time to explain the issues, and they typically only provide potential clients with very limited advice (if any at all). Depending on the significance and complexity of the issues you are facing, it can be well worth your time and money to pay for an initial consultation.
Five Skills to Look for in the Best Family Lawyer
A family lawyer doesn’t just represent clients in court. They are often your advocate, confidante, advisor, and in some cases, mediator between you and your spouse or common-law partner. When it is time to hire a lawyer to protect your rights and interests, here are the top five skills to look for before making your final decision:
- Experience and Specialization in Family Law Proceedings. It’s in your best interests to choose a lawyer who practices in family law exclusively, rather than a lawyer with a mixed practice. Family law is complex and constantly evolving. Our family lawyers dedicate their practice to family law and keep up to date on new issues and changes to the laws.
- Excellent Communication. There is a lot on the line. You don’t want to feel neglected or left in the dark. Look for a lawyer who demonstrates clear and effective communication skills and who will keep you in the loop. Also, take a close look at their written communications. You want a lawyer who carefully reviews correspondence, legal documents, etc. to avoid errors.
- Emotional Intelligence. Family law is deeply personal. Empathy is vital to positive outcomes in family law cases. An understanding lawyer can ease your emotional stress and de-escalate conflict.
- Analytical Skills. Look for a lawyer with refined problem-solving and analytical skills. The best family lawyers draw on their knowledge of the law to identify potential challenges, assess risks, and devise strategies to get results.
- Strong Negotiation Skills. One of the beautiful aspects of family law is that it permits customized solutions. Look for a lawyer who is experienced inside and outside the courtroom. They can represent you in court if necessary, but they can also use their negotiation and mediation skills to creatively resolve issues in a way that works best for you and your family.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire the Right Family Lawyer?
This question is top of mind for anyone seeking legal help. The answer depends on many factors. Every family law matter is different, just as every family is different. Some lawyers charge by the hour. Some charge a flat fee for certain legal services. Others accept legal aid. Factors such as the complexity of the issues, parties’ willingness to cooperate and participate, the reasonableness of positions taken by parties involved, and whether the courts are involved will impact legal fees.
In most family matters (especially litigated cases in the family court system), your lawyer will not be able to predict the final cost at the outset. Be wary if they do, or if they “guarantee” a certain outcome. Your lawyer should be able to provide you with estimates and update you as the case progresses. So, in addition to asking about the lawyer’s fee structure and billing practices at the initial consultation, you should ask for an estimate of legal fees—understanding that it is just that: an estimate.
At Onyx Law Group, all family law matters are billed on an hourly basis. If you’d like to know more about our billing practices, we welcome to contact us, or see here for an overview of payment options.
Need an Experienced Family Law Lawyer?
Family law matters can be extremely difficult to navigate on your own. Stress, conflict and uncertainty can arise. Without an experienced family lawyer on your side, you may not be able to look out for your best interests or protect yourself and your family.
The right lawyer can mean the difference between understanding and controlling the process and feeling overwhelmed. The family lawyers at Onyx Law Group pride themselves on providing support and guidance, easing transitions and paving the way for new beginnings.
Contact the family and divorce lawyers at Onyx Law Group today to schedule a consultation. We have offices in downtown Vancouver, Kerrisdale, New Westminster, and Kelowna. Let us help you find the best path forward for you and your family.