Family law matters are often challenging and emotionally taxing. Finding the proper legal representation is vital to navigating the legal system safely and efficiently. But, not all legal services are equal. How do you ensure you can connect with the right law firm? This article gives you the right approach to assessing family law solicitors in Brisbane.
Here’s your simplified guide
Understand your needs
Seek referrals from family and friends
Look through reviews
Compile a shortlist of solicitors in Brisbane
Check their website
Set up consultations
Step 1: Understand your needs
Before searching for solicitors, you must understand what professional service you require. Matters you may face include:
Applying for divorce;
Organising parenting and/or financial arrangements;
Organising child support/maintenance;
Handling issues around domestic or family violence.
This is crucial because certain lawyers, as accredited specialists, may have more expertise in specific family law matters than others.
If you need help with issues related to family law matters, Contact Andrews Family Lawyers to schedule a FREE consultation.
Step 2: Seek referrals from family and friends
If any family or friends have used family law services, ask them about their experiences and if they would recommend them. Guidance from close associates can be the most influential, so this can be an excellent place to start.
Step 3: Look through reviews
Reviews can give a reasonable overview of what you can expect from working with them. Review sites like Google Reviews or Oneflare are helpful. Solicitors should adhere to a high level of service, so only consider lawyers with an average star rating of 4.5 to 5. Ensure they have a reasonable number of reviews as well. It’s all good to have a 5-star average, but that’s of little value if it’s based on a single review.
Look at the negative reviews, if any, and the positive ones. Consider if consistent concerns are being raised. Check if the law firm provided a response explaining their side.
General factors to look for when searching reviews include:
What level of personal service do clients receive?
Does the lawyer provide timely advice?
Do they treat clients with compassion and understanding?
Do they communicate clearly and understandably?
If you need help with issues related to family law matters, Contact Andrews Family Lawyers to schedule a FREE consultation.
Step 4: Compile a shortlist of Brisbane lawyers
Once you’ve fielded recommendations from family and friends and identified firms with high review scores, compile a shortlist of around five or six that stood out. You can now take a deeper dive into each of these law firms.
Step 5: Check their website
Their business website will offer deeper insight into the law firm. Some things their website can tell include:
Areas of Expertise
The lawyer specialises in specific areas such as divorce, child custody, spousal support, property division, or domestic violence cases. This will help you determine if they have experience relevant to your situation.
Lawyer’s Profile and Experience
Check the lawyer’s professional background, including their education, years of practice, and special certifications or awards.
Case Studies or Notable Cases
Some websites include descriptions of past cases (without revealing confidential information). These can demonstrate the lawyer’s experience and success in handling cases similar to yours.
Legal Philosophy and Approach
Some lawyers share their approach to family law. For example, do they prioritise litigation or emphasise mediation as the best course?
Blog or Resource Section
A blog or articles on family law topics can indicate the lawyer’s depth of knowledge and ability to understand complex legal issues.
Accessibility and Communication
Consider sending them a message through their contact page to determine their responsiveness.
If you see any red flags, remove that lawyer from your list.
If you need help with issues related to family law matters, Contact Andrews Family Lawyers to schedule a FREE consultation.
Step 6: Set up consultations
It’s time to set up consultations with the remaining firms. Many law firms offer free consultation. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know the lawyer and understand their fit for your legal matters. Here are some questions you can ask:
Have you handled cases similar to mine? What were the outcomes?
Can you provide any references or testimonials from past clients?
How would you handle my case? What strategy would you recommend (negotiation, mediation, litigation)?
What is your fee structure (hourly rate, fixed fee, retainer)?
Based on your experience, how long will my case take to resolve?
What are the critical steps in the process, and what is expected of me?
What are the possible outcomes for my case?
How will we communicate throughout the case? How often can I expect updates?
What challenges do you foresee in my case, and how would you address them?
What are the next steps if I decide to hire you?
You can determine which lawyer would best suit you based on these consultations.
Start your search for the right family law solicitors in Brisbane today
If you’re struggling with a family law issue, you need an effective solicitor to advocate for you. This guide gives you a solid foundation for assessing Brisbane family law solicitors. You can find the representation you’re comfortable with using all available resources, like the people close to you and online tools.
Please schedule a free consultation if you’d like to discuss your circumstances.
