If you’re not sure how to hire a lawyer in Los Angeles, then here’s your go-to guide on the process.
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If you’re experiencing a divorce, it’s in your best interest to consider the best divorce lawyers in Los Angeles sooner than later. Finding the right attorney for your needs may be overwhelming, but there are a few things you can do to tackle the process quickly and efficiently. Here’s how to find the best divorce lawyers in Los Angeles.
How to Find the Best Divorce Lawyers in Los Angeles
When couples simply cannot work out their differences, sometimes the best decision for everyone involved is to separate. In fact, separation is so common that around 40 percent of marriages on US soil ultimately end in divorce.
For an action so common, it may surprise you to learn that few Americans truly understand the divorce process and how complex it can be. Issues like financial entanglement, child support payments, custody, alimony, and even the splitting of assets can be immensely difficult to manage. Emotions often run high, making decisions even more difficult.
Fortunately, it doesn’t need to be this way. Working with a divorce attorney ensures your rights are respected at all times, no matter how simple or complex the process becomes. Use this guide to find the best divorce lawyer in Los Angeles.
Related: How to Find a Good Divorce Lawyer
Identifying Specialized Needs
Your first task is to identify your needs – this includes any specialized requirements or unique situational factors that might impact which lawyer you hire.
Think about your divorce and separation. Make a list of all contributing factors and aspects you need to be handled before you can consider the matter finished.
For example, you might include:
- Vehicle allocation
- Real estate allocation
- Child custody arrangements
- Alimony and child support allocation
- Joint account separation
- Name changes (parents and kids)
- Pet custody (if required)
- Protective order needs (mostly for domestic violence cases)
- Divorce mediation
Be as detailed as you can – these factors can and will change the type of lawyer you need. For example, a couple who co-owns a business together may need a divorce lawyer as well as someone who specializes in business law. On the other hand, a spouse who has dual citizenship and is divorcing on US soil, but plans to move back to their home country with the children, may need someone who specializes in child custody and international custody arrangements.
Where to Find Divorce Lawyers
Once you have a basic understanding of your own needs, it’s time to use a few online and real-world resources to create a shortlist of options.
First, know that there’s nothing wrong with searching for lawyers online. Try typing “divorce attorneys in Los Angeles” into Google. Browse each result from an actual law firm to see what they offer and whether they might be right for you.
If you don’t feel comfortable searching yourself, you can also turn to a lawyer referral service. These organizations maintain an extensive database of vetted divorce lawyers with a long track record of success. Often, they can take down your information and cross-reference it to identify the perfect match.
Referral services are also licensed by the California Bar, meaning they have to adhere to extremely strict ethical and legal regulations. They can only refer to you a lawyer who truly suits your needs, meaning you can trust their recommendation.
Personal referrals from friends, family members, and even local professionals (such as your accountant) can also be helpful. Don’t be afraid to ask others around you if they’ve used the services of a divorce lawyer, and if so, how their experience was.
Lastly, you do also have the option to contact the California Bar for information directly. The Bar maintains their own in-house referral service to help Californians connect with legal services and/or verify if the lawyers they find are legitimate.
Make a shortlist of the attorneys who seem to best fit your needs. Keep this list with you as you move through the next few steps.
Confirming Quality and Experience
We’ve talked a bit about how to find the names of lawyers. Now, let’s talk about how to verify if a lawyer is truly an expert, as well as how you can be sure they’ll really work to help you through your divorce.
First, research any lawyers thoroughly online, even if you don’t get their name from a Google search. Read reviews from past clients to see if others felt well-served.
A quick note: be careful to take online reviews with a grain of salt. While they can be useful, some may be fake or even malicious. The same is true of positive reviews, too! Try not to write a lawyer off for a single negative review; instead, look for patterns, such as an overwhelming number of negatives to positives.
You can also ask a prospective lawyer for their license number if you have concerns about whether they’re legitimate. Call the California Bar directly and ask them to tell you if the lawyer has a current and active license to practice law. They can also confirm whether the lawyer has any outstanding complaints, lawsuits, or disciplinary actions against them under the Bar.
You should now have a very short list of a few lawyers who are well-suited to your needs. The next step is to schedule a few initial consultations so you can ask questions and get answers before moving forward.
What to Ask During Initial Consultation
Most lawyers offer initial consultations either for free or at a reduced rate. The purpose of this appointment is to allow you to get to know each other and determine whether you can work together effectively.
Ask questions like :
- Do you specialize in divorce law?
- Where did you go to school?
- How much experience do you have?
- How often do you win a case?
- How often do you lose a case?
- How much do you charge?
- How will we communicate about my case?
- Will you or someone else in your law firm handle my case?
Related: How Much Does a Divorce Cost in California
These questions may seem simple, but the way the attorney answers them, and how readily they hand over information, can be very telling.
Generally, a divorce lawyer should be more than willing – and more than ready – to provide you with any information you need to make an informed decision. Be cautious of lawyers who dodge questions, refuse to answer, or attempt to tell you why the information is irrelevant. You should feel respected, heard, and valued at all times. If you don’t feel these elements during a consultation, move on.
Whether you need help with estate planning, preparing power of attorney, or any other legal matter that relates to elder law or preparing for the future, you may find it difficult to find an elder attorney, Los Angeles, if you’re not sure where to start your search.
Today, we’re exploring a few options so you know how to find the right attorney with confidence.
Here’s how to find a Los Angeles elder law attorney.
Elder Law Attorney, Los Angeles
Do you qualify yourself as a senior, even if you’re truly young at heart? No matter how youthful you feel, seniorhood will bring special legal challenges and decisions to the table that can be extremely frustrating to deal with. California’s elder law system is notoriously complex; even the most knowledgeable layperson may struggle to understand it at times.
The good news is that there’s absolutely no need to risk your assets or your rights by attempting to handle everything on your own. No matter how much or how little experience you have in navigating California’s complex legal system, a Los Angeles elder law attorney can help.
Whether you just want to finalize a will, or you need to protect your assets from abusive family members, this guide will help you find the “best of the best” the first time around.
What is “Elder Law,” Exactly?
The first step to finding the right lawyer is to understand why you might need an elder law specialist in the first place.
Elder law refers to a specific legal specialization that focuses on issues concerning older Americans. This includes planning your estate, writing a will, applying for Medi-Cal or Social Security Disability (SSD), or setting an advanced medical directive in case you become incapacitated.
“Elder law” also includes issues like scams and rip-off strategies from con artists who target seniors due to their naivety. The fact of the matter is that seniors are one of the most targeted groups in America for criminals. It may also involve protecting yourself or another senior in your family from financial abuse or manipulation.
While the legal definition of “elder” generally includes anyone over 60, there is no specific cut-off age for when someone can struggle with these types of concerns. It is very possible for someone to begin creating a will at, say, 45 or 50, rather than waiting until they become a senior. In fact, it’s highly advisable to plan for your golden years early, rather than waiting until problems arise!
Can I Really Afford a Lawyer?
Many people facing complex legal concerns worry about the financial load of hiring an attorney. Your financial situation needn’t prevent you from protecting your rights.
No matter what your income level, there are options available to ensure you have access to legal services. This is true even if you are low income (e.g., SSD) or no income at all (not working; relying on a family member).
The senior legal services program provided by the SFVBA provides affordable initial 20-minute consultations with highly-qualified volunteer attorneys.
Starting Your Search
Sometimes, the biggest challenge is locating which lawyers near you specialize in elder law. You have a handful of options available to aid you in your search.
- Call the California Bar: The California Bar maintains an in-house legal referral service and can help you review your options. They can also provide simple answers to basic questions, like how to tell if a lawyer is legitimate or what to do if you have a complaint.
- Use a lawyer referral service: An attorney referral service will help match you with the most qualified attorney near you. The process starts with a conversation about your legal matter, after which an attorney referral consultant will match you with the attorney best suited to help you with your case. This can be an excellent way to find your options if you’re feeling unsure about your search. There’s no need to worry about being misdirected or linked with an inappropriate choice, either, as the California Bar licenses and oversees all lawyer referral services in the state.
- Ask friends and family: Your own friends and family can be very helpful in your search if you trust their judgment, especially if they’ve used a local elder law attorney themselves. Ask them to tell you about their experience and share suggestions to help you create your list. Your accountant, tax person, doctor, or existing lawyer may be able to refer you to someone, too.
- Look around your neighborhood: Most popular lawyers use advertising, both online and locally, to reach new clients. It can be advantageous to look around your neighborhood for billboards, signs, and even storefronts while you handle everyday errands. Make a note of anyone with “elder law” or “senior law” on their advertisements.
How to Narrow Your Shortlist
Once you have a shortlist of options available, it’s time to narrow down your choices and verify their legitimacy. Start by calling the California Bar to confirm each lawyer has an active license to practice law. Also ask whether or not the lawyer has had complaints lodged against them, whether they have ever been disciplined, and if they have ever been suspended.
If complaints or disciplinary actions are present, assess them. A fine for late Bar fees is much different than a complaint of fraud. It’s up to you to choose whether the situation makes the attorney ineligible.
You should schedule at least one initial consultation with a small handful of attorneys who fit your needs. Ask them how successful they are, where they graduated, how much they charge (per item or per hour), how many cases they have handled, and how they generally communicate with clients. These questions should give you a sense of how they are to work with.
How to Make a Final Decision
At this point, you should have at least a baseline understanding of who might best suit your needs. Your last step should be to consider how you feel with the elder law attorney: do they make you feel comfortable? Do you feel respected, valued, and heard, and does the lawyer seem interested in your case? Make your decision based on these influences as well as all other information for best results.
