4 Tips to Help You Find the Right Family Law Attorney

4 Tips to Help You Find the Right Family Law Attorney

/in , , , , , /by

Divorce can be a complicated process, but you don’t have to do it alone- and you shouldn’t. Having a good lawyer on your side is essential when you go through a divorce. But finding the right lawyer can be tricky. Here are 4 tips to help you find the right family law attorney for you:

Do your research.

There are many lawyers, and not all of them are created equal. Finding the right lawyer can take time and effort. You want a specialist who will take your case to trial if necessary.
Look for a true specialist.
In Louisiana, any lawyer can call themselves a specialist. That’s why it’s essential to hire a board-certified family law attorney. A board certification attorney has passed rigorous testing on all aspects of family law (not just the bar exam that all attorneys must take). They have been screened by the bar association’s specialization committee and recommended for certification by other lawyers. Out of over 21,000 licensed attorneys in Louisiana, less than 100 are board certified in family law. So if you’re looking for the best possible representation in your divorce case, hire a board-certified family law attorney. Suppose you’re going through a divorce, custody case, or property division. It is imperative to have a knowledgeable, experienced lawyer on your side when you go through a divorce, custody case, or property division.
Be sure that the lawyer tries cases.
Hiring a lawyer who tries cases is essential to the best divorce case representation. Many lawyers claim to be specialists in family law, but they’ve never tried a lawsuit in court. So how can you be sure that they know what they’re doing?

You need an attorney who knows how to handle themselves in court. They’ll have the knowledge and skills to represent you y before a judge. A detailed understanding of evidence, the law, and trial procedure is necessary to present your case in court effectively. Not all cases need to go to trial. However, having a seasoned trial attorney on your side means they have the clout to negotiate the best possible settlement for you. A reasonable resolution is more likely if your ex’s attorney knows your attorney is not afraid of the courtroom.

So if you’re going through a divorce, hire a board-certified family law attorney with lots of trial experience. You’ll be glad you did.

Ask around

When looking for the best divorce lawyer, it can be helpful to talk to people who have been through a separation, divorce, or child custody case. They can recommend attorneys who may be a good fit for your case or even steer you away from those they had a bad experience with. Ask them what they liked or did not like about their attorney. Did the attorney explain the process to them and answer their questions? Did the attorney over-promise and under-deliver? Were their phone calls returned? Did the attorney take their case to trial or get a reasonable settlement? So don’t be afraid to ask around for advice. You may be surprised at the wealth of information people are willing to share.

Read the Google reviews

Attorney reviews on Google can help you find the right lawyer. Great reviews are helpful, but so are negative reviews. Understand, however, that negative reviews can be fake or written by people who are unhappy with how their case turned out through no fault of the lawyer. We have seen reviews written by people who are not clients and even some written by the client’s ex-spouse. Attorneys cannot always respond to negative reviews. This is because the Rules of Professional Conduct forbid attorneys from revealing confidential information about their clients. So, suppose the client complains the attorney didn’t do their job. In that case, the attorney cannot explain why they could not do the job. Perhaps the client didn’t pay their bill, didn’t follow instructions, didn’t pay their court-ordered child support, failed to obey court orders, hid evidence. . . you get the picture. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt.

Beware of free consultations

Family law is not personal injury, where free consultations are the norm. The initial consultation in a family law case is an important meeting. It is not just a sales meeting or a dog-and-pony show to get you to hire the attorney.
Dealing with a family law issue can make you overwhelmed and confused about what to do next. An attorney can help guide you through the process, and the initial consultation is the first step. The attorney will ask you many questions to better understand your situation and make a plan to help you achieve your goals. You and the attorney will explore options and determine if you can work together. The attorney will also explain the process to you and answer any questions. Be prepared to have an honest dialogue with the attorney so that they can best advise and represent you.

When the attorney meets with you, they will learn confidential information about your situation. After that, they should not meet with your ex, even if you don’t hire them to handle your case. So be sure to budget for this expense. It is well worth the cost to get the guidance of a qualified professional.

After the initial consultation, you should better know your rights and what can and cannot be done.

Ready to move forward?

Contact us today if you’re looking for a top-rated family law attorney in Louisiana. Shelley Goff is a board-certified family law specialist. She has 33 years of experience and knowledge to guide you through your legal situation quickly and efficiently.

At Goff and Goff Attorneys, we understand the challenges of family law. We are here to help you every step of the way, and our goal is to provide you with the information and support you need to make the best decisions for yourself and your children. With these 4 tips to help you find the right law attorney , you’ll be ready in no time. You deserve quality legal representation during this challenging time. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest service possible. Contact us today to schedule a paid consultation, and let us help you start the next chapter of your life.

Get the legal help you need. Contact Goff and Goff Attorneys today! 📞 (318) 255-1760 https://calendly.com/goffandgoffattorneys

Yours, Mine and Ours. Who gets the “stuff?” The Senior Divorce Edition

/in , , /by

Divorce after 50 can be an eye-opener for many. Your kids are gone and no longer the biggest concern. Instead, you are concerned about retirement. You want to hang on to some financial security because you know it will cost more to live apart than to live together. How are you going to divide the “stuff.”

You may be in for a surprise.

Louisiana is a community property state. As a general rule, everything you accumulated (assets and debt) is owned one-half by your spouse. How property is titled does not determine whether it is a community asset or not. Likewise, who earned money or who stayed home and cared for the children does not matter.

Let’s consider John and Sarah.

Married for 25 years, John works at the plant, and Sarah stays home with the kids. John accumulated a large 401K. Some of the 401K came from several years before they married. One-half of the portion accumulated during the marriage belongs to Sarah.

John’s credit was lousy, so when the couple needed a new car, Sarah borrowed the money. As a result, she put the title in her name. John owns one-half of the vehicle and owes one-half of the debt.

John lost his dad a few years ago, and he inherited his dad’s old truck. Sarah does not own any of it.

It’s not always this straightforward.

What about the debt or property you brought into the marriage? Did you pay off your spouse’s student loans from before the wedding? How about that remodel project on the rent house that your spouse inherited? Are you living in a house the two of you built on your spouse’s family land? Did you start a business with a friend? Your spouse inherited mineral rights that paid him monthly, and he put that in the savings account. Who owns that? Were you or your spouse married before? All of these issues can complicate the division.

Need help?

Dividing your community property in Louisiana can be very complicated. Therefore, before you make decisions regarding how to split up the”stuff,” call us. We can help untangle the knot. 318-255-1760.