Lawyers map
>31
experienced lawyers
Filter by
5.0
10 Reviews
4.8
18 Reviews
15 Jan, 2025 by Carey gorman
I have had the privilege of working with Robbin as my lawyer, and I couldn't be more impressed with the experience. From the very beginning, Robbin demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case.
Read more
14 Jan, 2025 by Douglas way
Robbin has represented me on several matters over the course of 20 + years. She is competent, caring and efficient. She is a realist and knows what she is doing in the field of family practice.
When I follow her advice, the quality of my life improves. I trust her implicitly and highly recommend that you do the same.
Read more
25 Dec, 2023 by Kathy dwyer
Professional, timely, efficient communication with the team and Robbin.
Read more
4.7
6 Reviews
4.8
18 Reviews
15 Jan, 2025 by Carey gorman
I have had the privilege of working with Robbin as my lawyer, and I couldn't be more impressed with the experience. From the very beginning, Robbin demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise, and a genuine commitment to my case.
Read more
14 Jan, 2025 by Douglas way
Robbin has represented me on several matters over the course of 20 + years. She is competent, caring and efficient. She is a realist and knows what she is doing in the field of family practice.
When I follow her advice, the quality of my life improves. I trust her implicitly and highly recommend that you do the same.
Read more
25 Dec, 2023 by Kathy dwyer
Professional, timely, efficient communication with the team and Robbin.
Read more
15 Oct, 2024 by Valentina perez
I came to Michael and Deanna to help me with an adoption case and they pulled through with what was promised from the beginning. The entire office staff was very knowledgeable and they helped us out so much. They communicated everything back to us in such a timely manner. What I thought was going to be a very hard process turned into a walk in the park for me and my family because they worked their magic on the backend with the court. They fought hard for my husband to adopt my oldest and they won the case. Appreciate the girls in office who knew so much and took our calls and delivered our messages to the attorneys. Extremely professional, knowledgeable, and very understanding team.
Read more
09 May, 2024 by Tal clerman
Simply put…Navy Seals talk about “The line.”
You never call attorneys because things are going well. You call them when things aren’t and you need the help. In Family law, like medicine, the margin of error is zero and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Be it a child custody issue, a financial issue an emergency motion/filing or any other aspect of family law litigation: I’ve put this firm up to the task against some of the largest and most reputable law firms in the state.
They are honest, they are fair, they are prompt and are more than knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Illinois family law, they represent you with integrity compassion and most importantly the understanding that every case is different. When my initial attorney retired he said if I needed help: this is who I’d call.
Deanna and Michael and their team have helped me through the years over a myriad of complex legal issues and at every point at every turn no matter the problem they adapted, they improvised and most importantly: they overcame. Their staff is always knowledgeable about your case, court dates and any updates. They most certainly always have operated “Above the Line.”
Read more
02 May, 2024 by Gary newland
Mike Strauss is one of the the most respected and professional attorneys concentrating in Divorce.
Gary Newland
Past President of the Northwest Suburban Bar
Read more
30 Sep, 2023 by Joseph
I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the incredible legal representation I received from Ronald Bell. He is an absolute rockstar in the world of family law and asset division.
My case involved the most delicate matters - children and assets. It was a very challenging and emotional journey, but thanks to Ronald Bell’s expertise and dedication, it ended more favorably than I could have ever hoped for.
From the moment I walked into his office, I felt a sense of assurance and professionalism that immediately put me at ease. Ronald Bell took the time to listen to every detail of my situation and clearly guided me on the best course of action.
Throughout the entire process, Ronald Bell demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge and experience in family law. He left no stone unturned in preparing and executing my case, always ensuring that I was well-informed and comfortable every step of the way.
What truly sets Ronald Bell apart is his unwavering commitment to his clients. He was not just my lawyer; he became my advocate and a true source of support during what was without a doubt one of the most difficult and challenging times I have faced. His dedication to my case was evident in his tireless work ethic, attention to detail, and effective communication. Not to mention, he really does care!! A LOT!!!
When it came to negotiations and courtroom proceedings, Ronald Bell was a force to be reckoned with. His confidence and poise in the courtroom were remarkable, and it was evident that he had earned the respect of his peers (and everyone else in the courtroom).
Ultimately, the outcome of my case greatly exceeded my expectations, and it was all thanks to Ronald Bell. He fought tirelessly to protect my interests and secure the best possible future for my children and me.
I wholeheartedly recommend Ronald Bell to anyone facing family law issues. These situations are tough, and you need the very best by your side. He is not just an attorney, but a compassionate advocate, a legal genius, and a true champion for his clients. If you want the best possible outcome for your case, Ronald Bell is the lawyer you need.
Thank you, Ron, for everything you've done for me and my family. You are a true legal superstar, and I am forever grateful.
Read more
15 Dec, 2021 by David
Mr Bell is the best lawyer on here hands down. I had two of the other lawyers on here and I fired each of them. Then I went to Mr Bell. He answers your calls and emails very quickly, even on the weekends. He knows how to win. I only wish I went to Mr Bell first. Don’t waste your time or money with these other lawyers,
Read more
28 Oct, 2019 by Jeff
Divorce is painful and emotional and if you're like me, you don't know much about the process and don't really have the headspace to learn all about it while it is happening to you...Ron's parting words at my first consult with him were, "The best thing you can do is pretend like you are asleep for the next 6-12 months and let me handle things." Those words were so true. I didn't always want to listen to them, but being 5 months post divorce and still dealing with some issues with opposing parties not living up to the terms of the MSA, Ron is still in my corner. I don't think I realized how good he and his team are until recently. Discussing my agreement with divorcees has shown me that Ron helped me reach a fair deal that allows me to move on in life with confidence and financial stability and do the right thing for my children and he kept emotion out of it which is so important in negotiation for separating assets and in my case a lot of liabilities.
I would absolutely recommend Mr. Bell and his team to anyone in need of advice and guidance and council during the process of divorce.
Thank you Ron and team for working with me!
Read more
15 Oct, 2024 by Valentina perez
I came to Michael and Deanna to help me with an adoption case and they pulled through with what was promised from the beginning. The entire office staff was very knowledgeable and they helped us out so much. They communicated everything back to us in such a timely manner. What I thought was going to be a very hard process turned into a walk in the park for me and my family because they worked their magic on the backend with the court. They fought hard for my husband to adopt my oldest and they won the case. Appreciate the girls in office who knew so much and took our calls and delivered our messages to the attorneys. Extremely professional, knowledgeable, and very understanding team.
Read more
09 May, 2024 by Tal clerman
Simply put…Navy Seals talk about “The line.”
You never call attorneys because things are going well. You call them when things aren’t and you need the help. In Family law, like medicine, the margin of error is zero and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Be it a child custody issue, a financial issue an emergency motion/filing or any other aspect of family law litigation: I’ve put this firm up to the task against some of the largest and most reputable law firms in the state.
They are honest, they are fair, they are prompt and are more than knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Illinois family law, they represent you with integrity compassion and most importantly the understanding that every case is different. When my initial attorney retired he said if I needed help: this is who I’d call.
Deanna and Michael and their team have helped me through the years over a myriad of complex legal issues and at every point at every turn no matter the problem they adapted, they improvised and most importantly: they overcame. Their staff is always knowledgeable about your case, court dates and any updates. They most certainly always have operated “Above the Line.”
Read more
02 May, 2024 by Gary newland
Mike Strauss is one of the the most respected and professional attorneys concentrating in Divorce.
Gary Newland
Past President of the Northwest Suburban Bar
Read more
17 Dec, 2021 by Trini
I believe certain people come into your life for a reason, and Cynthia Lazar certainly is one of my people. Divorce can be a painful and gut-wrenching process. Cynthia was there for me every step of the way. She is reliable, thorough and provided the best legal advice and service I could have asked for, while keeping both my costs and best interests in mind. Her expertise and approach are second to none! Cynthia Lazar has my highest possible recommendation!
Read more
04 Oct, 2021 by Lisa
Cynthia is friendly, easy to work with, thorough and was fair to both sides during our divorce mediation. She was able to accommodate us with a “pay as you go” payment plan, which made things easier financially during this difficult time. I would definitely recommend her to anyone seeking an amicable divorce through mediation.
Read more
03 Aug, 2021 by Paulette
Cynthia is extremely professional and honest. I wanted an amicable divorce and she was there every step of the way to advise me. I couldn't believe how smoothly the process went. I highly recommend Cynthia.
Read more
09 Aug, 2021 by Lee
I hired Jerry Lazar to handle a difficult closing. Jerry went above and beyond to make everything run smoothly and eased much of my stress. Highly recommended.
Read more
25 Jul, 2021 by Adam n.
Jerry helped me with a legal separation. He was very easy to work with and accomplished everything that I asked for. I highly recommend him.
Read more
11 Jul, 2021 by Nick
When I started looking into getting divorced, I was pretty nervous as one would imagine. I did some research and ended up getting in touch with Jerry. He was very professional and quickly found a way to settle my nerves. One thing that struck me was after talking about typical general scenarios, he recommended that my ex and I try to settle as much as possible on our own as it would alleviate needlessly dragging things on, only making both parties lawyers richer. I did retain Jerry to represent me through the divorce and he was absolutely true to his advice. My ex and I were able to quickly agree on things and the divorce was final very quickly. Jerry's legal advice and demeanor instilled in me the confidence I needed to get through such a difficult situation that anyone would dread. I hope to never need his divorce services again, but I will be returning to him to sell the house! Thanks Jerry!!!
Read more
21 Jun, 2023 by Christina
If you need an assertive, honest, and experienced attorney that will be as invested in your case as you are, look no further. I can say without a doubt that Drake Shunneson is the best attorney I have ever had the pleasure of working with and his service is second to none. In the courtroom he is confident, well prepared, and well versed in the case he is presenting to the Court. He is a well respected and well liked member of the McHenry and Lake County legal communities. We retained him for two separate cases and have no doubts when it comes to placing our trust in him to act with the best interest of our family in mind.
I initially retained Mr. Shunneson to register a parenting plan in Illinois (my career moves me around a lot). This simple case quickly became very complex and high conflict because of an uncooperative respondent. When my case became exceptionally complicated, Drake accepted the challenge head on. He was flexible in his practice and not afraid to step out of his comfort zone to see our case through. Drake respects the fact that every case is unique and wants what is best for his clients. It is evident with the amount of time he devotes to his clients and their cases. (Just keep in mind that what is best and what you want may not always be the same thing, but he has a way of helping you understand why it is the best thing).
Mr. Shunneson handled our cases with ease. He was very communicative throughout the process and we were always well informed of our options along the way. He was always very attentive and we never felt as though we were just another client to bill. For all of these reasons and many that are not listed, we will continue to retain Mr. Shunneson and this firm for all of our legal needs.
Read more
25 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Life hands us things we need help to take care of. We were blessed to meet Drake Shunneson and work with him. He was so much more than just another lawyer handling my case. He seemed genuinely concerned for me and that has meant the world! I highly recommend if anyone is in need of a great lawyer. If he can help you can rest assured he will do everything he can.
Read more
09 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Very knowledgeable. He helped me through one of the toughest times of my life. I cannot recommend him enough
Read more
27 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
I am delighted to provide a high recommendation for Attorney Lindsay Coleman. From our very first meeting, it was evident that Lindsay is a sheer professional with a deep understanding of the law and a genuine dedication to clients. She navigated my case with skill and precision, always keeping me informed and involved at every step of the process.
One of the standout qualities of working with Lindsay is her exceptional communication and honesty. She ensured I felt confident and well-prepared throughout. Her responsiveness and availability were also greatly appreciated; I never felt left in the dark or unsure about the direction of my case.
Read more
07 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
In 2014, I drove from New York to visit Chicago, for my sons Navy recruit graduation. Well, to make a long story short, I got into a small vehicle accident in which I received from the police 3 moving violation tickets. Anyhow, the tickets required me to come back to Chicago for a court date. This would inconvenience me, in many ways. So, I found Linsay B. Coleman's name from a long list of attorneys and decided to give her a call. She honestly delivered what she promised. All 3 tickets
were cleared and my record was restored. Thank you Linsay B. Coleman ,for your help.
Read more
09 Jun, 2021 by Ted poplawski
We were clients of EBLG in 2010 when we created our initial estate planning documents. We now live in Arizona and miss the counseling, hand-holding and valuable information EBLG provided to us. Your professionalism and thoroughness spoiled us!
Read more
19 Aug, 2020 by John kruckman
Larry and everyone at EBLG are ultimate professionals. They are very thorough and detail oriented, always putting the best interests of their clients first. All while done in a warm, personal manner.
Read more
24 Aug, 2018 by Doug mckinley
Larry is a no nonsense clear thinking attorney. He helped me with a complex contracting challenge with patience and forward thinking. I recommend him to you if you need help sorting out confusing messages that have high stakes in your career or personal path.
Read more
21 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Nicole is absolutely amazing!! She knows what she is doing and has the experience to back it up. She was a fierce and confident ally in my post-divorce case and was able to explain the system so clearly. It helped relieve a lot of my stress and increased my confidence in the pending outcome. She is extremely organized and a clear communicator who is not intimidated by bully ex-spouses and their legal representation. I am so grateful for her advocacy in my case and absolutely, highly recommend her.
Read more
30 Jun, 2024 by Furaha kibukila
26 Feb, 2024 by Jayhawk9877
I’ve been waiting here for too long.
Read more
28 Dec, 2023 by Phil a
Ive used Ted twice for closings and both times everything went extremely smooth. The whole staff is extremley thorough, friendly, and on top of everything! Highly recommended!!
Read more
27 Feb, 2024 by Jp
Marc is the best attorney to work with. He is very professional, keen, and thorough. Marc is highly knowledgeable and adept at explaining complex legal terms in a way that clients can easily understand. He identified all the important issues in the legal documents provided by the opposing attorney, ensuring that our home buying process proceeded as smoothly as possible. I would highly recommend Marc to anyone without any doubt! We could tell he truly cares about his clients. Thank you very much, Marc and the amazing staff at the firm.
Read more
30 Jun, 2021 by Dori hayes
18 Jan, 2021 by Kimberly zeitler
Highly recommend Marc Bergmann if you need an attorney. This is my second time using his service and him and his paralegal Lisa are wonderful.
Read more
27 Nov, 2024 by Paul zielinski
If I could give ZERO STARS, i would.
Our first appointment was set for 9-19-2024-You canceled.
I contacted you on 10-15 to ask why you had not gotten back to me to set up another appointment. Of course, later that day you finally were ready to send me some alternative dates.
You're a joke and your service is a joke.
I'm going to make sure that people who seek you out are aware of how you conduct business and refer your clients to other lawyers.
We made it clear!!! NO LAWYERS!!! Did you even review the intake forms?
I feel you didn’t. As we know for a fact you didn’t review any emails that I sent with financial information. This was proven when you told my wife that you were still waiting for the paperwork that I had already sent you. You made me look like I was trying to hide something for her. Get yourself organized before your meetings and "Ive had a long day with meetings" is not excuse!!
Our expectation was exactly what we had discussed prior to hiring you:
You were to go through our financials and put together a few fair options for either one of us consider to be fair and amicable.
I know I made it clear as day to you that I didn’t want to screw my wife of 37 years over. I told you I wanted her to live a comfortable life, for the rest of her life. Do you even take notes when communicating with clients over phone and zoom calls?
My wife also made the comment that you were very repetitious in your interview trying to milk the clock. I guess you are ONE OF THOSE!!
I would have never thought over a first zoom meeting with you that you would refer a lawyer to help out. We came to you to save money opposed to hiring two attorneys to represent us through our divorce.
I made it very clear to you and I believe my wife did also that we don't want any attorneys involved just mediation!!
You also seem to be unorganized and obviously overworked. You should probably consider retiring. You may want to also update your picture on your website-
I sat and wondered last night what type of Kickback you’re getting from the attorney you referred.??
I also plan on letting the Judge O’Malley know in courtroom 401 what you're all about.
I also plan on contacting the Illinois State Bar Association, Family Mediation @ Illinois State Bar Association, Mediation Council of Illinois and the Chicago Center for Family Health.
God bless you I don't know how you can sleep at night but you'll have to face someone at the golden gates eventually.
________________________________________
Read more
26 Aug, 2024 by Kailash barela
27 Jul, 2024 by Delano meriweather
09 Nov, 2024 by Linda lannon
Love these guys. Patient, Personable, Professional. I hope I never ever need them again.... but if I do I'm glad they are there.
Read more
18 Mar, 2024 by Javier castro
Alex Campos lawyer ignorant and liar
Read more
18 Mar, 2024 by Steve wenz
I'd recommend them to anybody.
Read more
27 Feb, 2024 by Jp
Marc is the best attorney to work with. He is very professional, keen, and thorough. Marc is highly knowledgeable and adept at explaining complex legal terms in a way that clients can easily understand. He identified all the important issues in the legal documents provided by the opposing attorney, ensuring that our home buying process proceeded as smoothly as possible. I would highly recommend Marc to anyone without any doubt! We could tell he truly cares about his clients. Thank you very much, Marc and the amazing staff at the firm.
Read more
30 Jun, 2021 by Dori hayes
18 Jan, 2021 by Kimberly zeitler
Highly recommend Marc Bergmann if you need an attorney. This is my second time using his service and him and his paralegal Lisa are wonderful.
Read more
27 Nov, 2024 by Paul zielinski
If I could give ZERO STARS, i would.
Our first appointment was set for 9-19-2024-You canceled.
I contacted you on 10-15 to ask why you had not gotten back to me to set up another appointment. Of course, later that day you finally were ready to send me some alternative dates.
You're a joke and your service is a joke.
I'm going to make sure that people who seek you out are aware of how you conduct business and refer your clients to other lawyers.
We made it clear!!! NO LAWYERS!!! Did you even review the intake forms?
I feel you didn’t. As we know for a fact you didn’t review any emails that I sent with financial information. This was proven when you told my wife that you were still waiting for the paperwork that I had already sent you. You made me look like I was trying to hide something for her. Get yourself organized before your meetings and "Ive had a long day with meetings" is not excuse!!
Our expectation was exactly what we had discussed prior to hiring you:
You were to go through our financials and put together a few fair options for either one of us consider to be fair and amicable.
I know I made it clear as day to you that I didn’t want to screw my wife of 37 years over. I told you I wanted her to live a comfortable life, for the rest of her life. Do you even take notes when communicating with clients over phone and zoom calls?
My wife also made the comment that you were very repetitious in your interview trying to milk the clock. I guess you are ONE OF THOSE!!
I would have never thought over a first zoom meeting with you that you would refer a lawyer to help out. We came to you to save money opposed to hiring two attorneys to represent us through our divorce.
I made it very clear to you and I believe my wife did also that we don't want any attorneys involved just mediation!!
You also seem to be unorganized and obviously overworked. You should probably consider retiring. You may want to also update your picture on your website-
I sat and wondered last night what type of Kickback you’re getting from the attorney you referred.??
I also plan on letting the Judge O’Malley know in courtroom 401 what you're all about.
I also plan on contacting the Illinois State Bar Association, Family Mediation @ Illinois State Bar Association, Mediation Council of Illinois and the Chicago Center for Family Health.
God bless you I don't know how you can sleep at night but you'll have to face someone at the golden gates eventually.
________________________________________
Read more
26 Aug, 2024 by Kailash barela
27 Jul, 2024 by Delano meriweather
09 Jun, 2021 by Ted poplawski
We were clients of EBLG in 2010 when we created our initial estate planning documents. We now live in Arizona and miss the counseling, hand-holding and valuable information EBLG provided to us. Your professionalism and thoroughness spoiled us!
Read more
13 May, 2021 by Anonymous
I retained JPG in a divorce case. She is probably the worst choice ever.
If you can't explain to a judge why there is an emergency when you get get hit with a $100k tax bill and there's $30k in the accounts, you should probably reconsider your profession.
Read more
19 Aug, 2020 by John kruckman
Larry and everyone at EBLG are ultimate professionals. They are very thorough and detail oriented, always putting the best interests of their clients first. All while done in a warm, personal manner.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Family Law Lawyer Can Do for You
A family law lawyer provides legal services related to family relationships, including marriage, divorce, child custody, and adoption. Family lawyers help clients navigate emotionally charged legal issues, providing guidance and representation in disputes that affect spouses, children, and parents. Whether you're going through a divorce, seeking custody of your children, or drafting a prenuptial agreement, a family law lawyer ensures your rights are protected and your interests are represented.
Family law attorneys often handle sensitive matters and offer objective legal advice, helping clients reach fair outcomes either through negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
When Should I Hire a Family Law Lawyer?
Hiring a family law lawyer is beneficial in several situations, especially when legal matters involve close personal relationships. Common reasons to hire a family law lawyer include:
- Divorce or separation: When ending a marriage, a lawyer can help you navigate issues such as division of assets, spousal support, and child custody arrangements.
- Child custody and visitation disputes: If you and your co-parent can't agree on custody or visitation, a lawyer can represent your interests and work toward a solution that benefits your children.
- Child support: Whether you’re seeking child support or defending against a claim, a lawyer can help ensure the appropriate amount is calculated and enforced.
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: A lawyer can help draft or review agreements that protect your assets in case of divorce.
- Adoption: Family law lawyers guide you through the legal process of adoption, ensuring that all requirements are met.
- Domestic violence or restraining orders: If you're a victim of domestic violence or being falsely accused, a lawyer can help you obtain or challenge protective orders.
- Paternity cases: If there are questions about the paternity of a child, a lawyer can help establish or dispute legal fatherhood.
Hiring a lawyer early can prevent issues from escalating, and they can offer you the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome in emotionally charged situations.
What Does a Family Law Lawyer Do?
A family law lawyer provides a wide range of services depending on your specific legal needs. Their responsibilities may include:
- Advising on legal rights and options: Helping you understand your legal rights regarding divorce, child custody, support, and other family law issues.
- Filing legal documents: Drafting and filing petitions, motions, and agreements with the court, such as divorce papers, custody agreements, or support orders.
- Representing clients in court: Arguing your case in front of a judge if a settlement can’t be reached through negotiation or mediation.
- Mediation and negotiation: Assisting with alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation, to reach agreements on issues like custody, property division, and support without going to trial.
- Enforcing court orders: Helping you enforce court orders related to child support, alimony, or custody if the other party fails to comply.
- Drafting prenuptial or postnuptial agreements: Creating agreements that protect your assets in the event of a divorce.
- Handling adoption proceedings: Ensuring that the legal process of adoption is followed, from filing paperwork to finalizing the adoption in court.
How Are Family Law Lawyers Paid?
Family law lawyers typically charge clients in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s experience. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Most family lawyers charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and location. Clients are billed for the time spent working on their case, including consultations, court appearances, and document preparation.
- Flat fees: For more straightforward legal services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, some lawyers offer flat-fee arrangements.
- Retainer fees: In cases that are expected to require significant time and attention, such as contentious custody battles, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers the initial costs of legal services. The lawyer then bills against the retainer as they work on your case.
The exact cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the lawyer’s fee structure, which should be discussed upfront.
How Much Does a Family Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a family law lawyer varies based on factors such as the lawyer's experience, the location, and the complexity of your case. Here are some general cost guidelines:
- Hourly rates: Family law lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on their experience and the complexity of the case.
- Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or handling an uncontested divorce, fees may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
- Retainers: For more complex matters, such as contested divorces or custody battles, lawyers may charge a retainer ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 or more. The lawyer will bill against the retainer for the work they do on your case.
- Additional costs: You may also be responsible for additional costs, such as filing fees, mediation fees, or expert witness fees.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of the lawyer’s fees and any additional expenses during your consultation.
Top Questions to Ask a Family Law Lawyer
Before hiring a family law lawyer, it's important to ask questions to ensure they're the right fit for your case. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What experience do you have with family law cases like mine?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's a contested divorce, child custody dispute, or adoption. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for an estimate of the total costs involved. -
What are the possible outcomes of my case?
An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a general idea of what to expect based on the facts of your case. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Ask whether the lawyer tends to favor negotiation and mediation or whether they prefer to take cases to court. This can help you determine if their style matches your goals. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it’s difficult to predict, the lawyer should give you an estimate based on similar cases. -
Who will be handling my case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work, so make sure you understand who will be your main point of contact.
How to Check the Credibility of a Family Law Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable family law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and reputation:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is licensed to practice in your state and is in good standing with no disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on websites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell. Previous clients can give you insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and success in family law cases.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer for references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Review their website or professional profile: Look at the lawyer’s background, case history, and areas of focus to ensure they have substantial experience in family law.
- Look for professional memberships: Membership in reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), can indicate a lawyer's expertise and dedication to family law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a family law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- Relevant documents: Bring any documents related to your case, such as marriage certificates, prenuptial agreements, financial records, custody agreements, or court orders.
- List of assets and debts: For divorce cases, prepare a detailed list of all assets (e.g., homes, bank accounts, retirement funds) and debts (e.g., mortgages, loans, credit card balances).
- Details of the family issue: Provide a written summary of the situation, including key dates and facts related to your divorce, custody dispute, or support issue.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about the legal process, costs, and potential outcomes.
- Your goals: Be prepared to discuss your objectives, such as custody arrangements, property division, or spousal support, so the lawyer understands your priorities.
Being organized and clear about your situation will help the lawyer evaluate your case more effectively and offer the best advice for moving forward.
