10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Georgia Family Lawyer

You need a Georgia family lawyer. No matter what you are facing right now, or how complex it may seem, having an attorney who fits the situation is critical. That means the lawyer needs to be someone you can trust to navigate the legal matter with efficiency and conviction.

At Attorney Sharon Jackson, LLC, we provide answers to all of the questions you have during a consultation. However, the following are some of the most important questions to ask a Georgia family lawyer before you hire them.

1. Experience Matters

Ask:

• How long have you been practicing family law in Georgia?
• Do they handle cases regularly like yours, such as divorce, child custody, legitimation or others?
• What percentage of the cases in your firm are family law cases? (Do you really want an attorney that spends half of their time on criminal law or immigration?)

Knowledge is important, but experience allows the attorney to have the resources necessary to pursue fair outcomes for you. Choose a Gwinnett County divorce attorney with experience in cases like your own.

2. Local Knowledge

Ask:

• What experience do you have within our local court system?
• How many cases like mine have you taken to trial in Metro Atlanta (Gwinnett, Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb, etc.)?

This is another important experience-related set of questions. It demonstrates that they know the law, understand its intricacies and nuances, and have a good working knowledge of the court’s very specific rules.

3. Communication Style

Ask:

• When I call, who will I speak to?
• How often will you provide updates on my case?
• Do you allow for texting or email responses?

4. Legal Strategy

Ask:

• Do you prefer to use mediation or aggressive litigation?
• How do you tailor a strategy for divorce or child custody that meets my needs?

Hiring a family law attorney in Georgia means putting a lot of faith in someone. You need to be sure you understand their legal strategy.

5. Fee Structure

Ask:

• Do you charge by the hour or a flat fee?
• How much will I need to pay upfront?

A legal consultation with a Georgia divorce attorney will provide you with clarity on what you can expect cost-wise. You should not leave a meeting without knowing the specific cost of services.

6. Case Timeline Expectations

Ask:

• How long do you expect this case to take?
• What might cause delays?

When you hire a child custody lawyer in Gwinnett or other areas of Metro Atlanta, they will tell you as much as they can about the incident and what to expect in terms of both the outline and timelines. If an attorney cannot or will not provide you with even an estimated timeline, they may be too busy to prioritize your case.

7. Case Management

Ask:

• How do you manage deadlines in my case?

• How do you ensure that your attorney does not have too many cases to handle?

Experienced attorneys have systems in place to manage the number of cases and the case movement. 

8. Past Results and Testimonials

Ask:

• What types of cases have you handled like mine in the past?
• What type of success did you have?

Even the best family law attorney in Gwinnett County will have some people who do not recommend them. However, by reviewing this information and asking these questions, you open the door for examples. They may be able to share a story about a case like yours or discuss a similar case that was mishandled.

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9.  Red Flags to Watch For

Ask:

• Do you guarantee an outcome in my case? 
• What amount of time will you dedicate to my case?

Beware of any attorney who guarantees an outcome or who avoids answering the questions you have asked. They should be open and honest with you, sharing both the good and the tough decisions you may have to make as you move through this process.

10.   Gut Check

Ask:

• Do I feel heard?
• Does the firm seem to respect me?
• Am I confident in their ability to represent me?

Your gut is very important when choosing a divorce or child custody lawyer in Gwinnett County. You need to be able to trust this person with your future. If there is something just not working, move on.

Always Seek a Consultation to Ask Every Question You Have

Before you move forward with a decision about your future, set up a consultation. A legal consultation with a Georgia divorce or family law attorney allows you to clarify your legal options. Attorney Sharon Jackson, LLC, is always available to discuss your situation with you.

FAQs About Hiring a Gwinnett County Divorce & Family Lawyer

How do I know I have the best family law attorney in Gwinnett County?

You can base this on a variety of factors, including the attorney you seem to connect with or trust. You can base it on the references you have or the reviews and testimonials you find online.

Do I have to have an attorney to file a family law case in Georgia?

You do not need an attorney to take legal action. There is a famous saying about a person who has himself for a client that exists this long for a reason.  Would you pull your own teeth or change your own car engine?  Many people find it beneficial to do so to hire an attorney  because it allows them to receive the most robust legal support and guidance through a difficult time. If you DIY with a family law case, you may impact important rights regarding your children or property.

What is the biggest mistake I can make when choosing a family court attorney?

The biggest mistake you can make is not hiring a family law attorney soon enough. The earlier you involve an attorney, the more likely they are to have influence on the outcome.

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