How to choose a family lawyer?

PaulAA_2

Hi all,

What aspects should be taken into account when choosing a lawyer? A local solicitor charges 30% premium compared to a telephone-based one. Is face-to-face always better? Does more expensive mean better? How to distinguish those lawyers trying to find the balance between own earnings and client interests from those focused on their fees? What should the initial consultation in a boardroom with a mahogany table tell you?

One solicitor offers a retainer on the pay as you go basis, and the other offers a retainer by direct debit only. Which one is more flexible? I want only certain aspects of communication to be handled by the lawyer when special situations arise - I don't want to be charged for every trivial email and document scan.

You people here have been helpful in the past, and I keep counting on you.

gettingtheresometime

What will suit one person won't another so what is more important to you?

Cost or being able to see the person (in person?)

Expensive doesn't always mean better but I would have hoped it would mean (in your case) more exerienced.

Also in your case I would want someone who I felt was looking out for my best interests - even if that meant telling me what I didn't want to hear

PaulAA_2

Thank you so much

cbrown372

Who decides what is a trivial email or document? If its you who decides not much point in having a lawyer at all.

Morglin

I like face to face and just use the one my parents used, who is very good.

Lin

mgdavid

I'd be thoroughly reading the websites of local practices, looking for staff details, strength in depth so there is cover when solicitor is on holiday, staff specialising in family matters, staff who are members of or registered with Resolution, who are qualified mediators etc etc. You can specify all correspondence to be done by email and not printed & posted, etc. Do your research and all will become clear. One size doesn't fit all so it's almost impossible to recommend.

Errata

What should the initial consultation in a boardroom with a mahogany table tell you?

That the firm has a room it calls a boardroom; that it's been in business for 200 years or bought a repro table in a fire sale.

WillowCat

Your initial post is a little vague.....

I am going through a divorce and have decided against a solicitor, but when it goes to court (for the finances) I intend to use a direct access barrister.

I have enough knowlege (thanks to resources such as wikivorce and books from my local university library) to correspond and negotiate with my ex. I don't need to pay for a solicitor to mind the paperwork neither do I need one for mediation. I do however need a bulldog who will defend my interests if it gets to a final hearing.

Not for the faint hearted and I have studied the relevant legislation for many, many hours including case law. My money is extremely tight however.

Nicki

As a solicitor myself, choosing a solicitor is a bit like choosing a hairdresser! If you can, go to someone who has been personally recommended. If you can't, meet or talk to a few on the phone and interview them to see if they inspire your confidence and share your life approach.

Assuming you are actually using a solicitor and not an untrained adviser operating a call centre advice line, it's going to be hard as a lay person to know who is good and who isn't without a personal recommendation. The decor of the office means nothing other than that the partners are prepared to pay more of their takings for a nice office for their staff! A mahogany table doesn't mean that their fees will be higher or that they will pad your bill.

I hate clients who try to part handle cases by the way as they make it impossible to have a coherent strategy (which should be agreed in advance with the client of course) and always end up making things worse for themselves in the long run or being upset if it takes a while for you to unravel their mistakes so their bill is higher than they expected. Make sure your solicitor knows you plan to do things this way and you both understand how things are to be handled.