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Matters relating to the Family Law Act are often challenging and emotional. Whether you’re married or in a de facto relationship, proper legal representation is vital. A good lawyer helps you navigate the legal system safely and efficiently. Not all legal services are equal. How do you connect with the right law firm?
This article gives you the right approach to assessing family law solicitors in Brisbane.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist offers you the essential steps to make an informed decision when selecting legal representation in 2024.
Here’s your simplified guide
Understand your needs
Step one: Consider your family law concern.
Step two: Will your matter require court intervention?
Seek referrals from family and friends
Step one: Find close associates with family law experience.
Step two: Consider the most relevant testimonies.
Look through reviews
Step one: Prioritise the most recent reviews.
Step two: Check the quality and quantity of reviews.
Step three: Check a range of reviews.
Step four: Assess the firm’s responses.
Check their website
Step one: Assess its available information.
Step two: Consider the website’s overall form.
Compile a shortlist of solicitors in Brisbane
Step one: Rate firms on the previous steps.
Step two: Narrow down your choices.
Set up consultations
Step one: Create a list of questions.
Step two: Consider your compatibility.
Step 1: Understand your needs
Before searching for solicitors, understand what professional service you require. Consider this section from one of our reviews:
After 4 years of getting nowhere and seeing many other law practices I was recommended Peter Andrews.
Experiences like this are frustrating. Here’s the first step to avoiding years of legal conflict.
Consider your family law concern
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.
Will your matter require court intervention?
Beyond the type of legal matter you’re pursuing, what are your options? You may consider agreement with your former partner likely. You may also expect good results from mediation. However, your circumstances may concern matters requiring immediate court intervention. For example, cases involving family violence or abuse require specialised attention.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist offers you the essential steps to make an informed decision when selecting legal representation in 2024.
Step 2: Seek referrals from family and friends
We trust family and friends the most. Their opinions are significantly influential. This makes sense. We want to do what’s best for those closest to us. That’s why businesses reward you for referring a friend. They understand the power of that referral. Here’s how to get the most out of their input.
Find close associates with family law experience
If 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 is an excellent place to start.
Consider the most relevant testimonies
Listen to all experiences with family law. However, if you know someone whose case resembles yours, their impressions of a law firm can be particularly useful.
Step 3: Look through reviews
Reviews give an overview of what to expect from working with a firm. Review sites like Google Reviews or Oneflare are helpful. Reviews aren’t as trusted as personal referrals. Reviewers are usually strangers. That’s why we recommend beginning with the people around you. But, there are ways to get useful information.
Read recent reviews
Recent reviews should have the greatest priority. These provide the most accurate and updated information. A law firm may have been in good standing and then developed a bad reputation. This change won’t be reflected in older reviews.
Check the quality and quantity of reviews
Solicitors should adhere to a high level of service. Only consider lawyers with an average star rating of 4.5 to 5. Ensure they have a reasonable number of reviews. It’s fine to have a 5-star average, but that’s not valuable if it’s based on a single review.
Check a range of reviews
Look at negative and positive reviews. Are consistent concerns being raised? Factors to look for 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?
Assess the firm’s responses
It’s good practice for law firms to respond to as many reviews as possible. They should respond to both positive and negative reviews. Their response to negative reviews can be especially insightful. They may respond with empathy and courtesy, or be defensive and deflect blame.
Step 4: Check their website
Their business website offers deeper insight. There’s a reason why business websites are a core part of brand awareness. Here’s some of what a website can tell you.
Assess its available information
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 helps 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 explain complex legal issues.
Accessibility and Communication
Send them a message through their contact page. How long does it take them to respond? If they’re not responding for days, move on.
Consider the website’s overall form
Look at how the website is laid out and how it conveys information. Is information easy to find? Does the website have a formal atmosphere, or is it more casual?
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist offers you the essential steps to make an informed decision when selecting legal representation in 2024.
Step 5: Compile a shortlist of Brisbane lawyers
If you’ve tried to find a Brisbane family law firm, you’ll know there’s more to choose from than you could reasonably consider. It’s time to make a shortlist.
Rate firms on the previous steps
How do the family lawyers you’ve considered match up based on the previous steps? Depending on which criteria mean the most to you, you’ll be able to narrow down which family law team is best.
Narrow down your choices
Once you’ve fielded recommendations from family and friends and identified firms with high review scores, compile a shortlist of around five or six. You can now dive deeper into each of these law firms.
Step 6: Set up consultations
Use free consultations. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know the lawyer and understand their fit for your legal matters. Seek consultations with multiple firms.
Create a list of questions
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.
Consider your compatibility
There are many dimensions to the relationship between experienced family lawyers and their clients. You will likely need to confide personal details and entrust them with sensitive issues. Here are some factors to consider.
Communication
Do you appreciate the way the family lawyer communicates? When giving independent legal advice, a family law specialist should simplify complex legal processes. If they use jargon without regard to whether you’re understanding, they will be difficult to work with. For example, we appreciated this review from one of our clients:
Peter is acting professional and swiftly at all times while at the same time explaining the legal terms, legal options and consequences in a way, so that a normal person fully understands, which helps see the bigger picture in a legal jungle.
Empathy
The best Brisbane family lawyers treat their clients with compassion and understanding. The initial consultation is an excellent chance to form a first impression. If they seem dismissive of your concerns, go elsewhere.
Their approach
You should be comfortable with how they will handle your case. Don’t be pressured into following a pathway you don’t agree with. Your lawyer should listen to your concerns and accommodate your views.
Our Family Lawyer Evaluation Checklist offers you the essential steps to make an informed decision when selecting legal representation in 2024.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with family law issues, you need an effective solicitor. This guide gives you a solid foundation for assessing Brisbane family law solicitors. Find the representation you’re comfortable with using all available resources. Approach the people close to you, use online tools, and meet potential representation face-to-face.
We’re here to help. Call us for a free consultation.
Please schedule a free consultation if you’d like to discuss your circumstances.
