Families can be complicated and there are times you may want to need the expertise of a lawyer on your side. For example, let’s say you want to adopt a child or that you’re going through a complicated divorce. In either case, you need a lawyer to represent you. There are a number of family lawyers in Chennai who could help you understand the legal issues at hand. To pick your family lawyer, here are a few questions to ask.
What Kind of Cases do you Handle Normally?
It’s safe to say that no two legal issues are identical. However, you can also assume that some situations are rare. Hence, when you hire a family lawyer, they should have experience and expertise in cases like yours. Hence, the first question to ask a lawyer is the type of cases they handle. For example, if you need a lawyer to help you adopt a child from overseas, the lawyer should have worked with similar cases. They should be able to tell you handled a case similar to yours and how they would approach your case.
What will the Costs be Like?
Lawyers structure their fees in many different ways. Some charge a flat fee while others break their costs into non-refundable retainers and billable hourly rates. Good family lawyers in Chennai should be able to give you a rough estimate of how much your case could cost and what their fees would cover. Understand what services will be covered under their fees and how the company will calculate billable hours. Will you get a detailed bill? Will they bill you for actual time spent on your case or do they have a ‘minimum time increment’? Little things can add up over time so make sure you know what you are paying for and what can be billed as extra costs. For example, time spent on the phone or answering emails is chargeable but what about postage fees, mileage, etc.?
What is the Estimated Timeline for Your Case?
Some cases like an amicable child custody are straightforward while others like a divorce can be complicated. The lawyer should be able to tell you whether your personal goals for the case are realistic or not and what the best possible outcome for your case would be. Your lawyer should be able to evoke trust. The lawyers should also be able to give you an estimated timeline for your case. How long will it take for your case to reach a judge and how long before your case is decided? They should also be able to tell you what hurdles they foresee in your case.
When you hire family lawyers in Chennai the lawyers fees are not your only concern. It is more important to choose a lawyer who you feel comfortable with and who understand your goals and limitations. Unless you are an expert in family law, the outcome of your case will depend heavily on the expertise of the lawyer representing you. Hence, choose carefully and make sure you trust your lawyer.
