It’s always a good idea to figure out if you’ve got an attorney with a great deal of experience or one who has just passed the bar. When asking a Phoenix family lawyer about his or her experience, don’t just ask about the years since he or she has passed the bar- ask about how long he or she has been practicing family law as a specialty. While you don’t necessarily need to work with someone who has decades of experience, it is always a good idea to have the help of someone with a few years of experience under his or her belt.
Who Do You Work With?
While most family lawyers in Phoenix work with many different clients, it’s always a good idea to learn a bit more about the types of cases that your attorney has handled in the past. If you have a unique situation, ask if your attorney has ever handled a case similar to yours. If you are dealing with major money amounts, ask if he or she has ever worked with wealthy clients. Always make sure that your attorney not only knows how to work within the family law system, but that he or she also knows how to deal with the special circumstances that surround your case.
Do You Have Any Referrals?
While most attorneys will not give you the names of past clients, many do have websites that feature reviews by people with whom they work. If you don’t have any way to find out what others think about your attorney, then you may be working with someone who is unfamiliar to the area or who doesn’t have a good reputation. Always make sure that you can get a referral or a review from an attorney so you can know a bit more about the person with whom you are dealing.
Will I Win?
This is a bit of a trick question. If any lawyer ever gives you an outright positive answer to this question, you should move along. In the world of family law, many attorneys are loathe to use the terms win and lose as it is – and most know that a court’s decisions don’t always fall within their expected parameters. You want an attorney who can help you determine your odds, not one who will give you a false sense of confidence. Good attorneys will never give you a guarantee that you will get what you want from the court.
How Much Will This Cost?
You always want to work with the best, but you also want to make sure that you are working within your budget. Asking an attorney about the cost will give you several clues as to whether you are working with the right person. An honest answer about costs will allow you to learn about how the lawyer deals with clients, and it will also give you a good idea of whether you are being charged too much for your case.