Looking for a divorce attorney can feel overwhelming. It means you are facing a potentially stressful legal case and have acknowledged that you can’t do it alone. It’s also a sizable task, as there are hundreds of family law attorneys to choose from in the San Francisco area alone.
To narrow your search for the right legal professional, ask yourself these questions when assessing their eligibility.
Are They a Certified Family Law Specialist?
Many family law attorneys practice in the Bay Area, but few are family law specialists. To earn this certification, a lawyer must pass a written exam, practice for at least five consecutive years, complete continuing education in this field, and meet several other strict criteria.
Choosing a lawyer with a specialty in family law means they will have the experience and knowledge necessary to represent you well. They understand California policies regarding divorce and child custody and will use them in your favor.
How Many Cases Do They Currently Have?
Case management is an important consideration for any divorce attorney on your list. If a lawyer has too many cases at once, they won’t be able to dedicate the necessary focus and time to each one.
An attorney should have no more than 20 to 40 cases at a time. If a lawyer on your list has more than this, ask how many are uncontested, indicating that they won’t take up much of the lawyer’s time.
What Do Their Client Testimonials Look Like?
Be sure to read client testimonials before hiring a family law attorney. While many lawyers include reviews on their websites, look beyond this source to find unbiased testimonials. Google reviews are a good starting point, but you can also look on other review websites to find more.
Every lawyer receives a negative review from time to time, but if the general feedback about an attorney is overwhelmingly dismal, you may not want to hire them.
Are Their Services Affordable?
You have the right to know how much a lawyer will charge you. Ask about attorney fees up front and ensure you understand the lawyer’s pricing structure. You don’t need to pay an arm and a leg for a good legal strategy — many experienced attorneys offer affordable services to make their help accessible to more people.
Request a cost estimate in writing, and don’t be afraid to consult several attorneys to find an option that suits your budget.
Meet With Our Bilingual Divorce Attorney
Do you need help finding a divorce attorney in Redwood City? The Law Offices of Oliver R. Gutierrez is here for you. We’re a bilingual law firm fluent in both Spanish and English.
We understand the unique challenges that come with facing a family law situation when English is not your first language. When you choose our firm, our compassionate family law attorney, Oliver R Gutierrez, Esq., will work on your case from start to finish; we won’t pass it over to another attorney halfway through.
Contact us today at 650-800-6113 to schedule an initial consultation.