When you are going through any kind of legal issue involving family law in Columbus, from child custody to paternity, it will be critical to have an experienced and compassionate family law attorney on your side with experience handling cases like your own. If you have never hired an attorney before, or you have never met with a family law attorney for a consultation, it can be natural to feel anxious or intimidated. You might not be sure about the types of questions you should ask a potential attorney, or how to find the best family lawyer to handle your case. Our Columbus family lawyers have some tips on questions that can help you to select the right attorney for your case.
How Long Have You Been Handling Family Law Cases Like Mine in Ohio?
You should ask about how long a lawyer has been handling family law cases in Ohio, and you should be sure to ask for detailed information about the attorney’s experience handling cases similar to your own under Ohio family law. You will want to hire a lawyer with experience handling cases with fact patterns that are similar to yours, and with a history of achieving favorable outcomes for clients. For example, if you are going through a difficult child custody case, you will not want to hire a family law attorney who largely focuses on “gray” divorces among older adults. Similarly, if you are expecting to go through a “gray” divorce, you will want a lawyer who understands the complexities of divorce after a long-term marriage and after retirement.
Do You Have Client Testimonials You Can Share?
Does the attorney have testimonials to share or information about previous work with clients? You should feel comfortable asking for this information to get a sense of past work on cases like yours and how clients have been satisfied.
How Should I Expect to Communicate with You?
It is essential to learn more about how you will communicate with a lawyer, and whether that communication style matches your needs. For example, can you text or email, is electronic communication the norm, or can you communicate via phone or in-person?
What Are the Potential Outcomes in My Family Law Case?
Experienced family lawyers in Columbus with a strong record of success and relationships with clients should be able to answer this question honestly, providing you with good information as well as information about outcomes that could be less desirable. You should not work with an attorney who promises you a specific outcome. Instead, you should focus on finding a lawyer who provides you with clear and detailed information, is upfront and honest and can discuss specific strategies for potentially achieving the desired outcome in your family law case.