As the person who will be handling your family law matter, it’s essential that your solicitor is someone that you trust completely to achieve the best outcome for you.
After all, this person will be there throughout a divorce or civil partnership dissolution, financial settlement, or an application in respect of arrangements for your children. These matters have the potential to seriously impact your life.
To help with choosing a solicitor you can trust, we’ve written this article to outline five key qualities to look for in a family law solicitor.
What to look for in a family law solicitor?
1. Cost Clarity
Several solicitors may offer free initial meetings, but these will often be for a fixed amount of time. Given this, it may not be possible to deal with all of the questions you may have and the issues that follow. Although it may seem like a good deal, family law issues can rarely be summarised in half an hour.
Similarly, some law firms may provide initial estimates that do not accurately reflect the potential costs which you are likely to incur. It may seem more attractive to go with the firm that quotes you a much lower fee estimate, but you should think about whether this is realistic. Most solicitors charge by the hour (though fixed fees can be arranged in some circumstances) and, as a result, very low-cost estimates should be treated with caution.
2. Accreditations
Given the fact that many people at some stage in their lives require a solicitor, it’s not surprising that there are so many to choose from. However, you must check whether your prospective solicitor is accredited or recognised by the various family law professional bodies, such as Resolution. This is important as it recognises that your solicitor has undergone intensive examinations and regular training in their area of expertise.
3. Stellar Reputation
As with all professionals, the reputation of your prospective solicitor is key. Often, the best people to provide a recommendation are close friends and family members who have had similar experiences. This can be supplemented by checking whether the firms you are considering are recognised by the independently rated Legal 500 and Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.
4. Proactive Approach
The best solicitors will always be open to creative ways of resolving a dispute and minimising costs to their clients. If you are concerned that your solicitor is difficult to contact, unclear about their advice, or even slow to deal with your instructions, then you should consider changing.
5. Realistic Outlook
Above all else, your solicitor is your trusted adviser. They will be the ones giving you advice as to what chances of success various approaches to your case may have. As such, if they encourage unrealistic expectations then the end result could be serious and distressing. Indeed, it is usually late on in the progress of a case (typically before a judge) that clients realise that the unrealistic attitude of their solicitor has worked against them.
On the other hand, a realistic, pragmatic approach from an experienced and committed solicitor will help to provide you with a sense of reassurance and trust that will greatly benefit you and your case.
Next Steps
We know it’s not easy to find a lawyer. However, if you need help, we are here. Our service is built around the five qualities outlined above, and the kind reviews from our clients speak for themselves.
To get in touch with our dedicated team, just call 0161 969 3131 or fill in a form contact us online. We provide expert, friendly advice you can trust.