Life can bring difficult circumstances at the most unexpected times. Some of those circumstances may require legal help to navigate. If you find yourself needing to hire an attorney, there are several important steps to take that can help you find a good fit for your situation. In your search for legal help for your family matters, consider contacting an experienced New Hampshire family attorney with Naro Law. Call (603) 212-9480 to schedule a free consultation.
Step 1: Decide What Type of Attorney You Need
Before asking how to choose a family attorney, it is important to know that a family attorney is appropriate for the particular legal matter. According to The Colleges of Law, there are twenty-one fields of law in which an attorney may focus his or her practice. Some attorneys practice in multiple areas of law, but others focus their work in one or two areas. You may want to hire an attorney who practices family law if you have any of the following pending legal matters:
- Matters regarding marriage, including prenuptial agreements, annulment, separation, divorce, and alimony
- Matters regarding children, including custody and visitation, child support, paternity, parental rights, grandparents’ rights, and adoption
- Matters regarding other relationship issues, including guardianships and conservatorships and estate planning
Notably, the majority of the above matters are governed by Chapter 460 of the New Hampshire Statutes. According to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, the state of New Hampshire also includes the following legal matters in its Family Division:
- Domestic violence petitions
- Abuse and neglect cases
- Children in need of services (CHINS)
- Juvenile delinquency
- Mediation
Step 2: Ask for Recommendations
If you have determined that a family attorney may be able to help with your situation, look for recommendations. Make a list of possible attorneys based on their location and any other relevant factors. If you have a friend or family member who has retained a family attorney in the past, ask him or her for feedback about that attorney. The feedback may be positive or negative, but the details may help in deciding whether the attorney may be a good fit for your particular case. For instance, if a friend would not recommend an attorney because the attorney mostly communicated via text or email rather than over the phone, consider whether that communication style is actually preferred.
Recommendations fuel word-of-mouth advertising, so ask around. Anyone who has had a good experience will share. Anyone who has had what they believe was a bad experience will also share. Again, pay attention to the details and add any possible candidates to your list before continuing to the next step.
Step 3: Research Candidates
Choosing a family attorney can seem overwhelming, especially in the midst of a difficult situation, such as divorce or a custody disagreement. Times when tempers are high and emotions are flaring may not seem to be best for shopping around for an attorney. Unfortunately, those are the times when most people need an attorney. For this reason, it is important to carefully research all potential candidates before meeting with them.
Take a little time to look at the attorney’s website and read client recommendations. Perform a search online and read over publicly posted client feedback. Review the attorney’s practice areas, which should be listed on his or her website. Check for a track record of wins and/or satisfied clients. Note that not all satisfied clients will win their cases; however, the attorney may have a reputation for putting forth every effort, win or lose. While researching the attorney candidates, eliminate those who will not be a good fit.
Step 4: Interviewing Family Attorneys
After you have a list of quality candidates, narrow your search by scheduling consultations with your top candidates. Many attorneys, including the skilled legal team at Naro Law, do not charge for these initial meetings. A consultation should be viewed not only as a meeting to see if the attorney is able to take the case but also as an interview of the attorney. By asking some essential questions, potential clients can determine whether an attorney may be a good fit for his or her circumstances.
Questions To Ask When Choosing a Family Attorney
When you schedule a consultation with an attorney, remember that this is a job interview, and you are the employer. Be prepared to ask any or all of the following questions to help ensure that you can hire a family attorney who is a good fit for your situation:
- What is your experience in this field of law?
- Have you handled cases like this before?
- What possible outcomes are there for my case?
- What alternative methods may be used to resolve the matter?
- How long might it take to resolve the matter?
- Will you recommend mediation or arbitration to resolve this case?
- What are your rates? What are the terms of billing?
- Can you give an estimate for the total bill, including all fees and expenses?
- What method will you use to keep me informed of the progress of my case?
- What approach are you likely to take to resolve this matter? Will you aggressively fight for a resolution, or will you attempt to settle the case?
- Who else will be working on my case from your office?
- (For larger firms) Can the firm’s junior attorneys or paralegals take care of the substantive legal work at a lower rate?
Questions Not To Ask When Choosing a Family Attorney
There are really no questions about the case or the lawyer’s practice that cannot be asked during the consultation. If there is any area that is unclear, it is important to clear up any confusion as soon as possible. Open communication is essential for clients and attorneys to properly navigate the legal process, so any and all relevant questions should be welcomed, even if they seem redundant.
Contact a Skilled Family Attorney Today
Choosing a family attorney to fit your needs can make the difference between being satisfied with the resolution of the case and being unsatisfied. If you want to avoid being disappointed by the way the case turned out because of something the attorney did or did not do, follow the above steps to help you choose the right family attorney for your preferences and your unique situation. If you have a pending family matter, consider contacting a knowledgeable New Hampshire family attorney at Naro Law by calling (603) 212-9480 to schedule a free consultation today.
