Googling “Best family law solicitor in Glasgow city centre” will always deliver multiple search results but thereafter how do you know which law firm or lawyer to instruct? We all want the best family lawyer we can find but what should we be looking out for to make the right decision?
Family Law Advice
When seeking to instruct a family lawyer you should bear in mind various criteria which will help you make an informed decision. You should consider;
- Experience – you should seek to instruct a law firm that has particular experience in family law matters. Increasingly lawyers specialise in particular areas of work and you would be best to employ a solicitor who knows family law inside out.
- Approach – does the law firm have a client focused approach? In family law the relationship between the client and solicitor is crucial . Trust is very important and this is helped by you selecting a lawyer who places you as the client at the heart of the matter, one who works hard to protect the rights of their client. The focus should be on explaining clearly what is happening in your case and the processes involved in resolving your family law difficulty.
- Membership of Associations – you should ensure that your chosen solicitor has memberships of associations such as The Family Law Association. This is likely to mean that the lawyer is keeping themselves up to date with all updates to this area of law and is attending ongoing training events and seminars.
- Location – a city centre location is of importance to some people as this may allow easier access to the lawyer for appointments. Increasingly communication is by email and telephone but each person is different in terms of wanting face to face meetings. A central location can ease stress for some people who prefer meeting their lawyer regularly. For others the location of the lawyer is largely irrelevant -some prefer to communicate remotely and also to engage a lawyer whose fees are lower due to having less in the way of overheads such as an expensive office. The internet has changed the way people engage with lawyers greatly and your chosen lawyer should be able to approach matters in a way that suits you.
- Identity of solicitor – when you contact the law firm find out which lawyer will actually be looking after your case. Will it be one solicitor or will you be looked after by a department? If a bond can be established between you and your family law solicitor this can make the whole process much easier so it is very important to find out who you will actually be dealing with at the earliest stage. Ask this at the first interview or when you make an enquiry with the firm.
- Fees – a family law legal difficulty is stressful enough without added concerns about fees. You should from the outset ask the lawyer you are speaking to about potential costs, including any eligibility for legal aid. Not all law firms offer legal aid but you should still be told if you are eligible for legal aid and then you may wish to consider instructing a law firm that offers such a service. If you have to pay for the legal services you should seek clear guidance about likely costs and timescales. Clear information should be provided before you agree to instruct the lawyer – do not wait until after legal work has commenced to raise this matter.
- Testimonials and Reviews – are there testimonials on the website of the law firm and if so do they actually tell you anything about the approach that was followed and the level of service provided?
Contact Us
This is some guidance that we hope helps you make an informed choice about your family lawyer.
McCarthy Law looks to meet the highest standards – please feel free to contact Kathleen to discuss your family law needs and to hear how she can help.
Call us 0141 337 6678 on or fill out our enquiry form.