Family law issues not only difficult, they’re emotionally draining. That’s why it’s imperative to find a good attorney who is also the right one for your needs. The days of opening the phone book and picking one have given way to online searching. Today, law offices utilize digital marketing and SEO (search engine optimization) to help you find the information you need quickly and make informed decisions about who you’ll hire to represent you. Family law encompasses several areas, including: • Adoption • Marital Property • Custody issues • Father’s rights • Parental rights and responsibilities • Grandparents rights • Divorce/Annulment • Protection from abuse and harassment It’s important to find a family law attorney who understands not only the law and the process, but the difficulty you face while dealing with the issues. Ask For Referrals Start by asking people you know if they know of a family law attorney you can talk to. They may know someone, or previously worked with someone they highly recommend. Alternately, you also may be told to “stay away from” a particular attorney. That’s OK—you need to know who to avoid, too. If you’re uncomfortable speaking with friends, family or coworkers for referrals, Maine’s State Bar Association has an online referral service where you can find attorneys and legal assistance. Another great source of referrals is another attorney. Most people don’t think about it, but if you’ve recently used the services of a different type of attorney, ask them. An attorney who handles business transactions, estate planning, personal injury cases, or even traffic tickets likely has friends, college classmates or colleagues that practice family law. Attorneys like referring clients to people they know, and you might find an attorney you wouldn’t have met otherwise. It never hurts to ask. Do You Like This Individual? Finding someone who is a good “fit” is not just about their experience and where they went to law school. What kind of a person are they? Do you feel comfortable talking to them, and sharing potentially intimate details of your life that you need help with? Is he or she friendly and outgoing, or intimidating? You need to take these “soft skills” into consideration. If you find yourself “afraid to ask” when speaking with this attorney, keep looking. Qualifications and experience are important, but if your personalities don’t mesh, or worse, clash, you may want to reconsider. Settlement Vs. Litigation These are two separate entities, and the family law attorney you select should be skilled in both. Many cases settle without litigation, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need someone who is also ready to head to court to represent you. Not Just A Lawyer A family law attorney becomes your partner in the process, so it’s imperative to find one that you can work with as well as trust with very personal information. There should be no apprehension because you want to find someone who you feel comfortable talking to, and that they understand your case so that they can properly represent you. Many attorneys offer free consultations without an obligation to sign up. Take advantage and interview more than one. Even if you like the first one you meet, interview at least one more so that you’ll know who is available and how they can help. Whomever you choose, the decision is ultimately yours. Interview more than one, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Family Law Attorney In Gorham, ME Facing home foreclosure is not something you should handle on your own. For more than 25 years, Peter W. Evans has helped Mainers with their various real estate law issues. Mr. Evans gives each client and case personal attention to resolve nearly any kind of real estate litigation problem. Call (207) 747-5114 today or contact us online to make an appointment.

April 11, 2019 By admin