Family Law Overview in York, PA
Family law in York, PA covers a wide spectrum of issues that can affect everything from marital matters to issues of child custody. Familiar topics police see in courtrooms include divorce, child visitation disputes, alimony and more.
Divorce
Divorce is perhaps the issue that most people associate with family law. As a result, the attorneys who practice in this area often focus a sizable portion of their work in divorce court. Those who wish to end their marriages may attempt to file for divorce on their own, but revisions to the process mean that hiring an attorney is strongly recommended. Generally, the process includes a filing fee, a divorce complaint and other motions that can be complex. It’s also important to note that not all divorces are mutual , and some cases may involve domestic violence.
Child Visitation
You don’t have to get divorced to deal with child visitation issues. In fact, these issues may arise during or after custody of children has been determined. Child visitation helps establish how much time children spend with each parent and may vary depending on the parents’ circumstances. This area of family law can help both parents understand their role in the children’s lives.
Alimony
Generally associated with divorce, alimony—or spousal support—is an agreement between former spouses to provide financial assistance after the marriage has ended. These support payments tend to end once one party remarries. However, they may be modified if circumstances of the paying spouse’s life change, such as through job loss.
Importance of a Free Consultation with a Family Law Attorney
A free consultation represents a very important opportunity for an individual with family law issues to get some initial but crucial perspective on his or her case, first to determine whether it even makes sense to pursue legal action, and second to suggest direction as to how to proceed from what will often be a very emotional starting point.
An experienced lawyer is necessarily going to be familiar with a wide range or family law issues, and can quickly suggest what steps make the most sense, and conversely what steps should either not be a concern or should be avoided. Sometimes with family law cases, there are nothing but negatives, and that can be a hard pill to swallow in the emotional context, but this also means that no way of proceeding can necessarily be a "bad decision" and the client has a good deal of control over how the matter turns out.
A consultation will also give both the lawyer and the client a chance to evaluate how they feel about the matter at hand. Sometimes after the fact a client will simply not feel comfortable proceeding with a case. Conversely there are some matters where a lawyer will take on a case even though it seems less likely to succeed than to fail. In the end a lawyer’s most important asset is his reputation and sometimes taking on difficult cases is a way to strengthen that reputation.
Sometimes too with a case, particularly one involving children, the lawyer will see immediately that the court system or human services are going to be a significant determinant of the outcome, and that the lawyer’s role will be limited.
Selecting a Family Law Attorney in York, PA
When searching for the best family law lawyers in York, PA, consult with your friends and family, as well as do some online research. Ask them about their experiences with various attorneys to better gauge which lawyer may be right for your specific legal matter. In addition, consider scheduling an appointment with lawyers that you are interested in to discuss your case and ask questions. This is a great way to determine if you are comfortable with the attorney and also get a feel for how experienced they are. Having a skilled and competent lawyer on your side can make a world of difference when it comes to complex family matters. Finding a trusted legal representative shouldn’t be a difficult task. Doing research will help you find and choose an attorney that is right for you. In addition, make sure to read reviews online to learn more about an attorney’s track record and past successes so you can make an informed decision. Keep in mind that different lawyers have different styles and approaches. Choose someone you feel is compatible and will help you attain the outcomes you are looking for.
Inquiries to Consider for a Free Consultation
- What is your fee arrangement? – Family law lawyers generally have three different types of fee arrangements: a retainer, a flat fee, and an hourly fee. These arrangements are frequently combined into one arrangement, such as an hourly fee for the retainer portion of the case and a flat fee for the remainder of the case.
- Do you have a retainer that needs to be paid upfront or will the fee be invoiced monthly? – A lawyer may require that a retainer be paid in advance to cover the cost of the case. However , a lawyer can only hold a retainer for a reasonable period of time before the funds must be deposited into their bank account and cannot commingle retainer funds with funds belonging to them.
- What are the risks involved if we enter into an arrangement with your firm? – There are always risks associated with litigation and it is important that you understand what some of the legal risks may be before you enter into an arrangement with an attorney.
- What is likely to happen as we move forward and what is the timeframe for the next steps? – You should discuss the timeline associated with your case and what is likely to happen in the very near term.
- What was your reasoning behind how you answered my questions? – You may want to ask the attorney why they came to the conclusions they did concerning your case because they may point out additional information you have not considered.
Preparation for a Free Consultation
Prior to visiting a family law attorney in York, he or she will likely ask that you be prepared with information about yourself and your legal issue. A summary of the specific information the attorney may request is as follows:
1) Personal Information:
· Full name (and full names of any other individuals who may be part of your matter, such as children or co-owners of property)
· Home address
· Home and work telephone numbers and email addresses
· Occupation
· Employment information (name and address of employer)
2) Information Relating to Your Legal Issue:
· Written description of your legal issue (general information on what you believe your legal issue to be)
· Documents related to your legal issue (if you have any, such as investment statements, bank accounts, deeds, wills, or child custody orders)
· Name and address of any other involved parties and their attorneys (for example, if you are involved in litigation, you should provide the name and the contact information of the attorney representing the other party)
3) Information Related to Your Financial Situation:
· A basic listing of your assets (property you have, including real estate, business interests, investments, retirement accounts, and personal effects)
· A listing of your debts (liabilities such as mortgages, consumer loans, credit cards, and any support obligations)
· Approximate value of your assets and the amount owed on your debts
· Your net income (provide pay stubs, where applicable, or a copy of your tax return)
4) What Are Your Goals With Your Matter?
Getting the Most out of Your Family Law Consultation
To ensure that your future lawyer will be able to help you satisfy your needs, it is important to ask the right questions during your consultation and plan ahead.
Here are some tips:
When it comes your turn to ask questions, be prepared.
Your lawyer should always remember that clients have different needs. Asking the right questions up front will maximize your chances of finding a good match, even if you’ve gone with the wrong lawyer in the past.
Find out what type of cases he or she usually handles. Is it exclusively family law related? From divorce to spousal support, the best lawyers for your case are those who genuinely care about family law issues. Do they take an interest in their clients’ cases? If so, you will know that they’re a good fit for you.
Does this lawyer work only on family law cases? Are they passionate about these cases? Do they take personal interest in your case? If they do , then you have the right lawyer for you.
What technology does your family law lawyer use? Are they computer literate and do they use family law financial apps?
Ask about payment structure. Most family law lawyers are flexible and will help you find a payment option that best suits your budget. Find out about their hourly fee and whether they will consider a retainer and installment payment plan.
Ask him about past cases. Inquire about the success of past cases and determine whether the lawyer handled them alone or in a team. Find out how long the case took to complete.
Ask the lawyer to describe in detail what filing for divorce will involve. Ask them to give references of other satisfied clients. Ask them what they can (and cannot) do for you. What are the next steps?
If you’re looking for the best family law lawyers in York, PA, this free consultation guide can help you find the right candidate for your family law case.