Laura Kanaan – June 2017
When faced with a family law issue, many people don’t know where to begin. Family law issues are often comprised of substantive and procedural layers. It’s not uncommon for people to seek guidance from family, friends or the internet, only to feel overwhelmed and no closer to a clear answer. A family law consult with a knowledgeable family law lawyer can provide much needed clarity.
A family law consult is an initial meeting with a lawyer for the purpose of obtaining general information and/or advice about a particular issue or set of issues that need to be resolved. What follows is a breakdown of what you can expect from our family law consults.
Listen & Ask Questions
We will hear the facts and issues that affect your circumstances. We will pay particular attention to the issues that are of importance to you. We will ask questions to ensure we have a clear picture of your circumstances.
We also offer each person the option to fill out an information form in advance of their consult. This allows us to understand your matter before your appointment and focus our discussion to make the most of our time.
Issue-Spot
Many people know the problem they need to solve, but don’t fully grasp the legal issues that need to be addressed to solve it. Lawyers are trained issue-spotters. We will help you understand the elements of your case and explain what information you need to resolve them.
Provide Legal Information and/or Advice & Answer Your Questions
We can provide legal information and advice that is tailored to your circumstances. Family law is nuanced and fact-driven. Knowing the law does not always equate to understanding how it will be applied to your facts. There are limitations to the information available online because it is designed to be general in nature. During our consult, we will explain how the law applies to your situation and, where possible, provide a potential range of outcomes.
We will also answer your questions candidly. We believe it is important for you to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case before making decisions that will impact your family. We strive to be unbiased in our delivery of legal information to ensure you are able to make sound decisions about your next steps.
Discuss Process
We will walk you through the dispute resolution processes available to you. We will talk about the pros and cons of each one. At times, there is a clear process choice. For example: an application through the courts. Other times, a multi-pronged approach will be more effective. For example: a principled negotiation of property and support through lawyers and a mediation of the parenting plan through a family professional.
During our consult, we can help you plan the most effective way forward.
Discuss Financial Matters
We will discuss the financial aspects of working with a lawyer. This will help you determine whether you will work with a lawyer moving forward.
While we cannot provide you with a precise figure for your desired services, we can provide you with a general understanding of the costs involved in the various processes, and describe the factors that can impact your legal fees. We can also explain what steps you can take to avoid unnecessarily increasing your fees.
After completing a consult, most clients describe feeling relieved and informed. If you are facing a family law issue, consider whether you could benefit from a consult with one of our knowledgeable family law lawyers.