All right, so you are looking for a family lawyer Hamilton. Your question now is this: what is the beat way to find and hire one?
Personal Referrals
Personal Referrals
Take referrals from people you can trust: family, friends and coworkers who have used a family lawyer before. These people have had personal contact with lawyers and they can tell who to choose and who to avoid.
The Good ol' Internet
Do a Google search for 'family lawyer Hamilton' or 'law firms in Hamilton.' Visit each lawyer's website to have a general idea of the firm's personality and any preferred areas of practice, such as separation or divorce, or complex asset division problems. Although this step is helpful, it does not mean it's a substitute for a personal meeting with the lawyer you're thinking to hire.
Meet a Few Lawyers
Now that you've a couple of names, start scheduling appointments. You are making a crucial and often expensive decision, so meet only a few professionals. You don't necessarily need to go with the first professional you meet; take your time to shop around.
Most family lawyers charge for these initial consultations. Do not assume your consultation will be free unless the lawyer advertises this fact on his or her website. Lawyers are professionals and they bill for their time.
It's not necessary for you to make preparations for these meetings, but it is always recommended carrying a list of the important dates (your birthday, your spouse's birthday, your children's birthdays, the date you got married, the date of separation, etc), a general idea of what your assets and liabilities are, and summary of your and your spouse's income.
Choosing the Right Lawyer
What you really ought to be looking to get out of an initial consultation is:
1. an explanation of the law applicable to your issue;
2. an explanation of all the options available to you;
3. the lawyer's opinion on the outcome; and,
4. an idea of how much it'll cost you to hire the lawyer's services.
On top of that, you should walk out of the consultation with:
5. confidence in the lawyer's knowledge of Canadian family law;
6. a feeling that you will be able to work with this lawyer;
7. some assurance that the lawyer will be able to devote time to your case; and,
8. a clear understanding of the terms associated with the lawyer's services.
You must ask all the questions you've in mind and expect some honest answers, and if you have any hesitation about the person you're thinking to hire, hire someone else.
More Tips for Hiring a Lawyer
1. Ask for how long the lawyer has been practicing family law in particular. Inquire about his or her hourly rate and about the services you will be charged for.
2. Hiring a family lawyer Hamilton with a reputation as a shark isn't always a great idea, unless you like spending lots of money in court.
3. If other people in a law firm will be working on your case, ask to meet them as well. Make sure to introduce yourself to the lawyer's main legal assistant.
4. If the family lawyer you meet can't take your case, take the lawyer's referral to one or two other lawyers. They will always make referrals based on who they think would best suit you and your legal case.
Sekhon Law is one of the leading law firms in Hamilton. Our family lawyers deliver reliable solutions to clients as per their unique requirements.