Why Do I Need a Family Law Attorney?

If you’re going through a divorce or a child custody battle, or you’re trying to determine spousal or child support, you might be tempted to work out an arrangement on your own, without the help of an experienced family law attorney.

However, this can be a mistake. These can be emotional situations to work through that can quickly get heated. It helps to have an attorney negotiate with the other side so you don’t have to. Representing yourself can also put you at risk of accepting less money or less property than you are owed. To avoid these missteps, and others, it’s imperative to hire a family law attorney.

Get Objective Advice From a Family Law Attorney

Getting a divorce or fighting for custody of your child can be a very stressful and emotional time. It can be easy for you to get overwhelmed and make impulsive decisions. While this might help you put the matter behind you quickly, you could be hurting yourself long-term. Hiring a family law lawyer allows you to let your attorney use their expertise and knowledge of the laws – and your case – to get you the best outcome. They can fight for you and negotiate with the other party while you cope with your emotions and focus on your family.

Bring in Experts

During contested cases, you might need to bring in expert witnesses to help you get the outcome you desire. An experienced lawyer will know when you need professionals like physicians, mental health experts, financial advisors, and others, to establish your side of the case.

Family Law Courtroom Experience

You need an experienced family law attorney to represent you in court. Your attorney should have extensive experience in court proceedings and insight into what tactics can be useful in various situations that arise during a case. It’s important to hire a veteran attorney to ensure your case is presented correctly to the judge, and to battle with the opposing attorney.

Complete Paperwork

There is a lot of paperwork involved in family law cases. These forms must be completed correctly and on time. A family law attorney is experienced in completing these documents and will meet the timelines and not risk jeopardizing your case.

Know Opposing Counsel

Your family law lawyer may be familiar with the opposing counsel through previous cases and interactions in court. This will give your attorney insight into how they might present their case, and it allows him or her to potentially negotiate more easily and quickly.

Offer Other Options

Depending on your case, you might be able to explore other options for seeking resolution besides litigation. For example, an experienced family law attorney might recommend mediation for a couple going through a divorce who communicate well. This can help you avoid hostile litigation and instead let you work with a facilitator to agree on how to dissolve your marriage and divide assets.

Determine Support

When seeking spousal or child support, you want to make sure you are receiving the right compensation. An experienced family law attorney knows how to calculate the correct amount of support, and can draw upon experience to know how much to ask for, and how to present it to get you the support you need.

Attorneys Deirdre Kingsbury and Noreen Evans understand the complexities of family law cases and how stressful they can be. They can explain your options with compassion and clarity. At Evans Kingsbury LLP, we are family lawyers with decades of experience, including family trials and settlements. Call us today at (707) 730-4724 or fill out our easy contact form to discuss your case.