While 74,000 professionals worked in the family law and divorce lawyers and attorneys space in the U.S. last year, one lawyer isn’t necessarily as good as another.
When the situation calls for a family law lawyer, we need a reputable family law specialist in our corner. A generalist or a specialist in another area of the law won’t do.
It might seem like a good idea to hire a reputable general practice attorney we know or who a friend highly recommends. But there are at least three ways a family law attorney differs from other attorneys — and these differences can increase our odds of reaching a favorable outcome.
1. Family Law Attorneys Have a Bigger-Picture Approach
While attorneys focused on other areas of the law usually have a win-at-all-costs mentality, family law attorneys are different. They employ a bigger-picture approach rather than a winners-and-losers approach. That’s vital in situations involving custody, property, or divorce.
When the situation involves children, a winner-takes-all strategy seldom works. There may be situations where we want full custodial rights. But even in these situations, a family law attorney can recommend a solution in the children’s best interests.
“A family law attorney can offer valuable assistance in matters related to divorce and separation, child custody and visitation, child support, adoption, alimony and spousal support, property division, and more,” says Brian A. Walker from Brian Walker Law Firm, PC. “When you retain the right family law attorney, you’ll get help reaching a fair outcome for all parties involved.”
2. Family Law Attorneys Will Tell Us What We Need to Hear
Family law cases can be especially contentious if two parties seek to dissolve their marital relationship. Making sound decisions in emotionally charged situations can be difficult for even the most level-headed people. That’s where family law attorneys come into the picture.
While exercising empathy and sympathy, family law attorneys can be the voice of reason in helping us avoid making decisions based solely on emotion. Bad decisions may hurt us emotionally and financially — so getting help from a family law attorney can be beneficial. That might mean obtaining advice we don’t want to hear but should, nonetheless, hear.
We can count on a family law attorney to be less adversarial and more cooperative. It’s not about being a pushover and letting the other party’s lawyer run roughshod over us. Instead, it’s about engaging in some give and take to achieve the best possible outcome given the situation.
3. Family Law Attorneys Have Conflict Resolution Training
While other lawyers often favor court trials over settlement talks, family law attorneys are the opposite. The goal is to reach an agreement that meets the needs of the principal parties. And the best way to arrive at mutually acceptable settlements is at the bargaining table.
Although an experienced family law attorney can represent us in court, they offer mediation and alternative dispute resolution. They have the training to help us resolve problems outside of the courtroom, which can lead to a more amicable and cost-effective outcome.
A family law attorney can also help us connect with support groups to help us deal with the emotions we face during the legal process. Even after the situation concludes legally, we and everyone else involved must process the outcome and deal with the new normal.
These are three vital ways a family law attorney differs from other attorneys. When facing a legal situation involving the family law realm, we don’t want to jeopardize our chances of success. We can achieve a good outcome by finding a reputable family law attorney with the right skills.
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