Collaborative post by another author. Most of us hope that we will never need to hire a solicitor for matters relating to our family. We know on some level that there are going to be some issues through the course of our lives that will require legal advice, and they range from minor inconveniences like getting money back from cancelled holidays to life-changing events. But when it comes to our family, it seems fair to say that a lot of us spend our time actively choosing to not think about these kinds of issues.

However, the truth is that there are going to be times when you will need to find a solicitor who can represent you and your family’s best interests. And when these moments arise, it is not always particularly easy to focus. Whether it is an issue over the estate of a loved one, or looking for a settlement following an accident, there are a number of reasons why you will need a good solicitor that you can trust to both to get the job done and the result you want, and to carry the emotional load for you. There are so many solicitors out there that it can be difficult to know what you should be looking for. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Look For Relevant Experience

Any solicitor’s firm will want to impress you with how many years they have been operating for. And if they are a recent establishment, then they will tell you about the combined years of experience that they have in their team of lawyers. While this is undoubtedly important, not to mention reassuring, it is more crucial that they have relevant experience in the area that you need help in. Look for a law firm that talks about their experience in this area on their website, instead of getting in touch with the first search result and asking if they can help.

Look For Good Communication

Communication is key for anyone looking for good representation, but it is particularly important when you are dealing with a family matter. This is inevitably going to be something that has a lot of emotional baggage for you, and the last thing you want is for your solicitor to be talking to you like you are not capable of understanding what is going on. Of course, if you simply want your lawyer to just get on with the matter at hand and leave you out of it as much as possible then there is nothing wrong with that. But it is important that you have some idea of what kind of issues you may be facing, and the best route forward. For example, court of protection suits are the kind of difficult legal issue that can occur during a will dispute. They can be complicated, and they can be messy, and a good solicitor will be able to break down exactly what is happening in a way that you feel comfortable with. The legal team at Hugh James has years of experience in these matters and they place the comfort and ease of their clients at the highest importance.

Look For Good Feedback

Anyone can make a good case for themselves online, and it is easy enough to make a website that looks very convincing. However, everyone has found themselves in the ugly situation where they realise that the quality of service, they are getting is not up to the standard that was advertised. Any good law practice should have plenty of good reviews and testimonials on it's website. They should also be able to talk to you about the kinds of cases they have handled before (although they will probably not be able to share specific information due to confidentiality). If you need further feedback, check online, and look for the law firm’s name on social media. You should be aware that negative feedback is often the loudest online, but it may help you to answer any specific queries that you may have.

Look For Transparency On Pricing

It seems fair to say that budgets are one of the things that most families are worried about right now. With the rising cost of living, everyone is trying to be more careful with how they are spending their money. If you need to hire a solicitor, then you should look for someone that is completely upfront about how much their services costs. Many law firms will offer a free consultation, and during this period they should break down how much the process may set you back. It is worth keeping in mind that a good solicitor should save you money in the long run. They will be able to help you to avoid any costly mistakes, and they can also help you to avoid a court date as they can get very expensive.