Picture this: your divorce date draws near, and everything should be squared away. You’ve checked in with your lawyer a few times and you feel good..well, you did at first. Upon repeated check-ins, you’re slowly starting to lose confidence in your lawyer. Maybe he made too many contradictory statements, makes you feel like he’s not taking your input, or perhaps he is proving difficult to reach. 

Whatever the case may be, this is one of the worst possible scenarios to find yourself before such an important legal proceeding. The truth is, many attorneys are good at marketing themselves but not all of them are willing to put the time and effort that your case deserves. 

To help you choose the right attorney, we’re focusing today’s discussion on warning signs or red flags to look for when vetting a potential family law attorney.

Poor Communication Habits

Do you find yourself often frustrated when you try to get a hold of your attorney? Is he or she keeping you well-informed and asking for your input regularly, or do you feel like the interactions are minimal and quick? If either of these ring true, you might be working with a bad attorney. Your case is possibly the most important and significant event in your life at the moment, it deserves the attention of a dedicated professional who is responsive to your needs.

Confusing or Unclear Billing

While billing schemes can vary, most fall under an hourly rate or on a contingency basis. An effective lawyer doesn’t need to get creative with billing and will always empower potential clients with the information they need to make any decision moving forward. A billing scheme that is confusing or lacking information could be a sign that your attorney doesn’t prioritize your best interests.

Tardiness or Lack of Organization

Take note of how your attorney schedules meetings, checks in, and responds to communications such as emails. Does he/she show organization and strong communication skills? Or are you seeing an overall lack of organization? Tardiness is another way in which disorganization manifests itself.

Incompatible Personality

Finally, consider whether you and your attorney have compatible personalities or not. This might seem ridiculous, but everyone is different and attorneys are no different. If you’re a social extroverted individual, you might be frustrated if your attorney doesn’t exhibit the confidence or public speaking skills you expected. 

Other attorneys come on too strong, which can be a bad match-up for someone who is a bit more anxious and would rather work with a calm, compassionate attorney. Think about how your personalities shape your interactions with one another and use that to inform your decision.

Learn More By Calling Our Experienced Family Law Attorneys

These are just some of the things you should look out for when making sure you’re choosing the right family law attorney. At the White Oak Law, we understand that each case is different and everyone’s expectations can vary. 

This is why we offer initial consultations, where we take the time to familiarize ourselves with your case. Schedule yours today to learn about how we can help.