Hire an Attorney Whose Expertise is Family Law

Should You Hire an Attorney Who Exclusively Practices Family Law?

When considering a divorce attorney, the question of hiring someone with family law expertise seems straightforward.

In reality, it's an important factor that can significantly influence the outcome of your case. This article will explore why hiring an attorney who is a family law expert or specialist can benefit you significantly.

The Importance of Expertise in Family Law

Many years ago, it was common for lawyers to practice in multiple areas of law, including family law. The legal landscape was less complex, and general practitioners effectively handled various types of legal matters.

However, times have changed. The laws have become more intricate, the number of lawyers has increased, and court dockets are more overloaded than ever. This shift has made specialization essential, especially in areas as complex and emotionally charged as divorce.

Why General Practitioners May Not Be the Best Choice

Lawyers who handle various areas such as criminal law, personal injury, bankruptcy, and immigration are often stretched thin. Here's why this can be problematic for your family law case:

• Volume and Focus: Personal injury lawyers, for instance, work on a contingency basis and need a high volume of cases to sustain their practice. This high volume can lead to divided attention.
• Court Commitments: Criminal law attorneys typically work on a flat fee basis, which requires them to handle many cases and frequently appear in court. This constant need to be in different courts can detract from the time they can devote to your family law case.
• Specialized Courts: Bankruptcy and immigration lawyers often spend significant time in federal court or in front of immigration officers. Balancing these commitments with family law cases can be challenging.

The Risks of Hiring a Non-Expert

Family law cases are often intricate, requiring detailed attention and a thorough understanding of the specific legal issues involved.

Consider the following.

Child custody cases require a family law attorney who understands the broad discretion judges have when ruling on custody and parenting time. These cases require expertise in family law to know what matters to a judge and what does not. Even if the case is amicable, a lawyer must be familiar with both standard and nonstandard provisions in custody cases.

Child support and spousal support issues can get complex. This is especially true when dealing with self-employed parties, business owners, executives, or those with complex or uncommon income structures.

Dividing assets, property, debts, and liabilities is not for the inexperienced lawyer or those who do not understand California law and do not handle these types of cases every week.

• Should a home be sold, or should there be a buyout?
• How is a business divided in a divorce?
• What happens if there are disputed separate property issues?
• What if there is a breach of fiduciary duty by one spouse?
• What if assets were sold, given away, or hidden?
• And what are the options if a spouse refuses to cooperate in the divorce process with discovery and disclosures?

These are just some of the reasons why expertise and experience in family law are critical to quality representation.

A lawyer who practices in multiple areas may not have the necessary focus or time to handle the complexities of your divorce. This can result in less effective representation or much worse.

How to Ensure Your Lawyer's Expertise in Family Law

When selecting a divorce lawyer, confirming their expertise and experience is critical. Here are some steps to take:

1. Ask Directly: When you first meet with the attorney, ask, "Do you only handle family law cases?" or "What other areas of law do you practice?"
2. Evaluate Their Practice: If the attorney practices in multiple areas, consider whether they have the time and focus to dedicate to your family law case.
3. Check Their Availability: Solo practitioners, who often work alone with minimal staff, might rely heavily on paralegals or secretaries. Ensure that you will have sufficient direct communication with your lawyer.

Our Commitment to Family Law

Our firm dedicates our practice to family law matters, primarily serving clients in Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where we have offices. Our experienced divorce lawyers are focused on achieving successful results for our clients. Concentrating on family law offers a distinct advantage: We devote our time, energy, and expertise to helping individuals navigate their divorce and family law issues.

Choose Wisely

Choosing a lawyer with expertise and experience in family law can significantly impact the outcome of your divorce. Ensure that your attorney has the necessary focus and expertise to handle the complexities of your case. Contact us for a consultation if you're looking for an experienced and top-rated family law attorney.