Whether you’re seeking protection from domestic abuse, navigating a divorce, or need legal advice for an upcoming care case involving your children, selecting a family solicitor can feel like a weight around your neck.
You will likely feel like a lot is riding on getting this decision right, and that’s understandable.
We know that if you haven’t had cause to seek legal representation previously, the pressure to choose the right solicitor can make an already stressful situation feel that much worse.
To help guide you through choosing the right family solicitor for your circumstances, we’ve outlined the six key questions to ask.
Which areas of family law do you specialise in?
Family law is a large and complex area of the law. It spans everything from separation and divorce to adoption and domestic abuse. Due to this wide-ranging nature, not every solicitor will have experience in all areas of family law.
Here at National Legal Service, our solicitors each specialise in a specific area of family law. Some deal primarily with divorce cases and associated issues such as financial settlements. Others are experienced care solicitors with deep knowledge of areas like care proceedings, and dealing with social services.
There is no one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to know that the solicitor you appoint is familiar with the area of family law relevant to your case.
How much experience do you have with family cases?
The complexity and variety of family law make it a very specialist area. Another question you may want to ask is how much experience the solicitor has in the specific area of family cases. While they won’t be able to name names, an experienced solicitor will be able to give you an overall idea of the types of family cases they have dealt with previously.
What are your fees and how are they structured?
Legal costs are a key concern for many clients. It’s always advisable to ask about fees and how charges are structured upfront. Your chosen solicitor should be able to give you a clear idea of how you’ll be billed and provide clear estimates where possible. You’ll be given a fixed-fee quote or an hourly rate, depending on your case. You can find our fee information here. You may also qualify for legal aid.
Will you be handling my case personally?
You may be concerned that your chosen solicitor may not handle your case personally. If that’s on your mind, ask your solicitor how they usually work.
Typically, a family solicitor will work in one of two ways. They’ll either handle your case in its entirety from start to finish or, they’ll have a team that works with them. If your chosen firm favours a team approach, a senior solicitor will oversee the case, and other people within the team (such as paralegals) will assist with certain aspects of the case.
Whether or not the solicitor will handle your case personally will depend on how their firm usually works. The complexity of your case will also influence how it is handled, with larger and more complex cases more likely to be worked on by multiple people.
Do you belong to any accredited family law panels or groups?
Being accredited with a family law panel or group can give you peace of mind that your chosen family solicitor has expertise and competence in their chosen area of law.
Common accreditations to look out for include:
- Family Law Accreditation: Issued by the Law Society and acts as a seal of approval and proof of competence. It covers numerous areas of family law including divorce and separation.
- Children Law Accreditation: Issued by the Law Society, this accreditation signifies that your chosen solicitor is qualified to represent children in children law proceedings.
- Family Mediation Accreditation: Mediation helps you solve an issue without the courts stepping in. If you’re keen to resolve your differences privately, a solicitor with a Family Mediation Accreditation is qualified to carry out mediation to a high standard.
- Resolution: Members of Resolution are committed to resolving family disputes amicably and in line with the Resolution Code of Practice. Membership is restricted to family law solicitors and other practitioners who specialise in areas such as divorce, parenting after separation, cohabitation, and domestic abuse.
Can you provide client testimonials or reviews?
Reviews and testimonials are often referred to as a source of ‘Social proof’. In practise, they’re simply a way to learn about the experiences of others. While rules of confidentiality will limit what can be shared, your chosen solicitor should be able to provide case studies (with names changed) and may be present on popular review platforms such as Google.
If you’re searching for a family solicitor to help your family through a difficult period, we’re here to help. Call or email us to chat with one of our experienced family solicitors.
