What to Look for in an Attorney to Protect Your Family

What do I need an attorney for? You may ask. My life is great! I have a loving partner, beautiful kids, a fabulous home… my life couldn’t be better right now. And that’s all wonderful, wonderful news. But the truth is that when everything’s going perfectly in life, that’s actually the perfect time to seek out an attorney. After all, the prepared household doesn’t wait to rush out and buy a first aid kit only when someone injures themselves. They keep in close at hand at all times just in case it’s needed. In this regard, a lawyer is a lot like your first aid kit. It’s better to have one that you trust in reserve now than to wait till you need one and wind up choosing one at random from the phonebook.

Take the time to find an attorney now and you can spend as long as you need searching for one that’s the best fit for you. 

Why you might need an attorney

There are a lot of reasons why families (even perfectly happy families) might need an attorney. They may be involved in an accident on the road, on the street, or at work that isn’t their fault. The worst case is they might get charged with a violent crime they didn’t commit. They may wish to start their own business and want to make sure that they’re well covered legally. Or they may simply want help with estate planning to ensure that their legacy is intact. (Though many people are unaware that there are now online estate planning services that make it easy to put together an estate plan on your own.) Having a good relationship with a lawyer can give you years or even decades of peace of mind.

Here are some indications that you’ve found the one for you…

They have experience in all the areas that matter to you

Of course, it takes a special kind of person to pass the Bar, and 50-70% of would-be attorneys don’t make it on their first try. Still, you’ll want to do your due diligence on your prospective attorney’s experience in the fields that matter to you (estate planning, family law, personal injury law etc.). 

All lawyers are capable of representing you in virtually any aspect of the law. But experience can go a long way towards giving you peace of mind. 

They have glowing feedback from former clients

While you’ll no doubt want to peruse a lawyer’s website and online presence, you’ll want to take what they say about themselves with a grain of salt. What their clients are saying about them will always speak more eloquently to their skills. The good news is that in the digital age, getting client reviews can be done in just a few clicks when you know where to look. 

You get along with them

Finally, don’t underestimate your personal relationship with the attorney. Meet with them, ask them questions, see how well they respond to you and vice versa. An attorney should help you to feel relaxed and assured. You need to be able to trust in their abilities completely for ongoing peace of mind.

Don’t stop looking until you’ve found a lawyer who can give you exactly that!