family court attorney near me

Need a Family Court Attorney Near Me? Here’s How to Find the Best One

Going through a divorce or child custody case can be incredibly stressful. Having a qualified family law attorney on your side makes a huge difference. But finding the right lawyer for your situation is easier said than done. This article will walk you through the process step-by-step so you can locate a family court attorney in your area that fits your needs.

Ask Friends and Family for Referrals

Word-of-mouth is often the best way to find a good lawyer. Reach out to friends, family members, coworkers, or neighbors who’ve gone through a divorce or custody battle. Ask if they were happy with their attorney and would recommend them.
You can also check online reviews of divorce lawyers in your city. But take them with a grain of salt—no one reviews their attorney unless they had a really good or really bad experience.

Search State and Local Bar Associations

Every state has a bar association website where you can browse profiles of licensed attorneys in your area. For example, the State Bar of California makes it easy to search for lawyers by location, practice area, name, law school, and client reviews.
Many cities and counties also have their own bar associations with referral services. These databases allow you to filter by expertise, pricing, location, and other factors important to you.

Look for Family Law Specialists

While any attorney can handle a divorce or custody case, you’re better off working with someone who focuses specifically on family law.
Search for lawyers who advertise themselves as “certified family law specialists.” This means they have taken extra courses and passed an exam to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of family law.

Schedule Free Consultations

Once you’ve identified a few potential attorneys, set up initial consultations. Most family lawyers offer free 30-minute meetings for new clients. This gives you a chance to:

• Explain your legal situation
• Ask questions about their experience, pricing, and credentials
• Gauge whether their personality and work-style meshes well with yours

Come prepared with a list of questions to ask during the consultation. Things like:

• How long have you practiced family law?
• What percentage of your caseload focuses on divorce and custody?
• Are you a certified family law specialist?
• How much do you charge and what does that include?
• Who in your office would be working on my case?

Don’t feel rushed or pressured into making a decision on the spot. Take time after the meeting to reflect on whether this lawyer seems like the right fit.

Compare Qualifications and Pricing of Candidates

Narrow down your list to three top choices. Compare factors like years of experience, case results, bar admissions, association memberships, education credentials, and client reviews.
Pricing is also key. Hourly rates for divorce lawyers range from around $100-$500 per hour depending on where you live and the lawyer’s level of expertise. On average, you’ll spend $15,000-$30,000 total over the entire case.
Some attorneys charge flat fees for different phases (like $2,000 for preparing forms and negotiating settlement terms). Others are willing to customize payment plans based on your budget.

Check Their Disciplinary History

It’s always a good idea to look up an attorney’s background before committing to work with them. Start by searching their name on your state bar association website. This lets you see if any ethical complaints have been filed against them by clients or judges.
You can also run a quick Google search. Make note if they have many negative reviews online complaining about poor communication, lack of responsiveness, missed deadlines, or billing issues.

Trust Your Gut Instinct

No amount of research guarantees you’ll have a smooth relationship with your lawyer. Intangible factors like personality match and communication style also come into play.
During your consultation, pay attention to your gut reaction. Do you feel comfortable opening up to this person about sensitive issues? Do they seem to genuinely care and listen attentively? Does their temperament put you at ease?
Finding a family law attorney who embodies both compassion and competence makes the legal process far less painful. With the right lawyer guiding you, you’ll get through this difficult period and come out stronger on the other side.