Making a decision about who should represent you in your family law matters can be overwhelming. It is an important decision, and you want to make sure the person you are working closely with really understands your position.
We have put together the below advice to help you find a solicitor who is the best fit for your case and who can help you achieve your goals.
Table of Contents
What to consider when choosing a family law solicitor?
Reputation and recommendations
Online review sites can help you find a local family law solicitor, although it should be noted that many people may not publicly review a solicitor who helped them with their case or that a public review is necessarily a fair or accurate reflection of the overall service you can expect to receive. You may prefer to rely on recommendations from friends and family who have been through similar circumstances and ask them who they have used and what their experience was. Word of mouth is how a lot of our clients find us, and we’re always pleased to hear when our family law solicitors have been recommended by previous clients.
Personality
A family law solicitor will work closely with you throughout your case, so it’s important that you feel comfortable discussing your personal details with them. Family law cases cover some sensitive issues, and your solicitor should be able to ease the burden for you, with support at every step of the way.
Experience
How many years a solicitor has been practicing, and particularly working in family law, should also be considered. You want a family solicitor that has extensive knowledge and experience to successfully guide your case, someone with expertise in the specific area of law you need help with, and who is familiar with the latest laws and landmark cases.
Cost
Most firms will charge an hourly rate for their services, although some may offer fixed fees for simple matters. Whilst you should always consider your budget and the various costs involved with obtaining suitable legal representation and advice, be aware that those with more experience are likely to have higher hourly rates. However, this does not necessarily mean higher overall fees as, sometimes, the more experienced solicitor can bring about a swifter conclusion to your case, potentially saving you money in the long run.
The solicitor’s fees may also not be the only cost to consider, and a good family law solicitor will make you aware of other fees you could expect during your case, such as court fees for your application, or fees for expert opinions, e.g. pension experts. There may also be various funding options available for your case depending on your circumstances.
Communication
Consider how you would prefer to receive advice from your solicitor. Do you prefer to speak face to face or over the phone, or would you rather be contacted by email? Will your solicitor be available on short notice for any urgent matters that arise, and, if not, can another member of their team help you?
How to prepare for your initial consultation?
Before you speak to a solicitor, it is worth compiling any evidence you have to support your case so that this can be provided to them if you choose to instruct them. Getting all your documents together will help you formulate a brief summary of the issue and providing copies of any court papers can help the solicitor ascertain what stage your case has reached in the process and provide advice on the next steps. Having a list of questions that you wish to ask is good to have to hand, so that you can make certain you cover everything during your appointment.
What to expect at an initial consultation?
During the appointment, the solicitor will provide a general overview of the law and the options available to you. Once you have set out your case, and discussed any problems, they will then be able to give some further advice on the options that would be most suitable for you.
When setting out the best options for you, solicitors can also give you a broad estimate of the costs that would be involved, e.g. their likely fees or the court fees for applications.
Why should I choose FLC?
FLC is a niche practice firm in Norwich, that only deals with Family Law matters. With extensive experience in family law, we have honed our approach to family law cases to be firm but fair, using all the tools at our disposal to advocate for our clients. Over the years, we have built on our reputation and developed relationships with various other local Norfolk firms offering expert advice such as counsel’s chambers and mediators, as well as pension experts and independent social workers.
As family law specialists, we can give advice that’s tailored specifically to your unique circumstances and, as a niche practice, you will have the same people involved in your case throughout, with our friendly support staff assisting your solicitor and ensuring any queries you have are answered promptly.
FLC can, subject to eligibility, facilitate a litigation loan to pay your invoices as they fall due, and you can then repay the loan at the end of your case, from the proceeds of your settlement. Not everyone would want to take out a litigation loan, but for those who would otherwise struggle to meet their legal fees, the availability of a loan option can be helpful.
How do I get an initial appointment?
For advice on any area of family law please complete our contact form to set up an initial appointment or for more information about the services we offer, please call us on 01603 664000 or email us at enquiries@flc.uk.com. Our specialist team of family law solicitors in Norwich will take brief details of your case and book you an appointment at the earliest opportunity with the family law solicitor most suited to your case.