Family disputes can be incredibly strenuous, and cost far more than money. Memories, relationships and emotions can all fall victim when families are torn apart and choosing the right family lawyer is an important decision for multiple reasons.
Firstly, it’s important you find a lawyer that you can talk to openly. Because this is your personal life, rather than a workplace dispute, deeply personal circumstances can come to the surface, and your lawyer will not want any surprises, so find someone you can trust.
Secondly, it’s important to find someone who has experience in your type of case. No family law scenario is “black-and-white,” so ask about your lawyer’s experience, how he or she sees your chances and what approach they will take.
Here are some other points to consider when hiring a family lawyer.
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Support
One of the most valuable and understated advantages of having a lawyer is the emotional support they can provide. As a confidant outside of your core group of family and friends, they can be relied upon to tell you the truth, and reduce the level of uncertainty.
Make sure you are comfortable talking to your family lawyer and that you consider them to be someone you can rely on for more than just legal advice.
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Management
A good family lawyer will gain an appreciation of the intricacies of the case. This means learning about what everyone wants, and why certain family members feel the way they do. In such an emotionally charged environment, a calm voice acting as an intermediary can reduce the stakes exponentially. Meaning, that the disagreement you end up having could have a much lower financial impact than you originally thought.
A capable family lawyer will work to understand the entire case and resolve certain issues in an elegant and mutually beneficial way. Take the time to learn your lawyer’s approach and talk about how you can resolve some problems early in the process.
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Mediator
Often in family legal disputes, there are multiple parties on either side.This could mean immediate family, step-siblings, spouses or close friends. Each of these people have their own agenda, most likely with the best of intentions, but sometimes at odds with others. A lack of consensus across a diverse group of complainants can lead to additional costs and time and jeopardise the case. A crucial role of your family lawyer is sitting down with everyone, explaining the situation clearly from a legal standpoint, and acting as a mediator between the various parties. This may mean helping members of your family find a middle ground, suggesting that a certain person’s involvement is not useful, or explaining the realities of the case for any family members who don’t understand the ramifications of certain actions.
If your side is acting in unison, because they understand not only what they want, but also how they are pursuing it, the chances of success are much higher.
Consider how well your lawyer will relate to various family members and other interested parties. Ask about their experience in this area, and even bring them in on some of the challenges.
Contact our Sydney Criminal Lawyers today.