A family law attorney is a helpful resource when it comes
to legal matters concerning familial events. These lawyers handle a variety of
legal cases involving marriage, minor children, and elderly parents. Some law
firms specialize in one specific field of law while others represent every
type of case.
Selecting a family-law attorney in Texas should be given careful consideration. This is of
particular importance when retaining lawyers to represent minor children or established guardianship
for the parent suffering from conditions that limit mental capacities.
It can be beneficial to consult with three or more law
firms to meet lawyers and staff members face-to-face. Clients often spend
considerable time with legal counsel, so it can be helpful to work with an
attorney whose persona puts them at ease.
Taking time to interview candidates can help clients
select the most appropriate lawyer for the task at hand. It can also minimize
the potential to change divorce lawyers Texas in the midst of the case. There are many
options available for finding a good attorney. Many of the people obtain
referrals from family and friends. Other use lawyer referral networks or
conduct online research. Some utilize telephone directories.
One common mistake people make is selecting lawyers based
on the size of their phone book advertisement. It's important to realize that
large ads do not necessarily equate to being the best attorney.
Lawyer referral networks are another option for locating
family law attorneys. Some referral networks assess a fee while others offer
complementary services. It is rarely a necessity to pay anyone to assist in
locating lawyers so proceed with caution when fees are assessed. Once 3 or 4
law firms have been located it is time to set up an initial consultation. Law
firms often provide complimentary meet-and-greet sessions, but some assess a
nominal fee. Be certain to determine fees before making the appointment.
Ask to meet with all staff members who will work on the
case. It is common practice for attorneys to enlist help from paralegals and
administrative assistants to reduce legal fees. Clients should feel at ease
with all staff members, but especially those whom they will work closely with.
It is important to establish legal fees before hiring law
firms. Legal fees are usually based on the type of case involved. One-time
events, such as drafting prenuptial agreements or filing legal mane changes, are usually billed at a flat
fee. Ongoing cases that require court appearances or extensive research are
typically billed at an hourly rate. Most lawyers require an upfront retainer
fee for representing ongoing cases. This fee is usually around 25 percent of
anticipated fees. Attorneys oftentimes require payment in full when services
are rendered, while others send monthly invoices.
Clients to reduce legal expenses are to always be
organized and prepared for meetings. It is helpful to keep case documents
organized in a dedicated file folder. Always keep a record of phone
conversations, face-to-face meetings, and email correspondence that take place
with the family law lawyer and staff and retain copies of all documents related
to the case.
