A Primer on Johnson County Family Law
Family law in Johnson County addresses a range of legal matters relating to the family unit. Most frequently, family law attorneys handle issues such as divorce, marriage, child custody, child support, spousal support (alimony), paternity and adoption. In addition, family law attorneys represent clients in matters involving estate planning, probate, guardianship and conservatorship.
Family law disputes are amongst the hardest fought and most stressful to endure. Emotionally, financially and psychologically, family law issues can be expensive (in many ways) and time-consuming to resolve. So having a competent , skilled and knowledgeable attorney is crucial, particularly when in the midst of contentious litigation. Further, we believe that understanding family law issues as a lay person, commonly without the legal jargon, is incredibly beneficial. Indeed, we use our knowledge and expertise as family law attorney to demystify these legal processes.
The following is a few of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) by Johnson County residents, which provides a good introduction to Johnson County family law issues and explains the importance of having a good family law advocate on your side.
Advantages of Hiring a Local Attorney in Johnson County
While it is possible to hire family law attorneys from other areas of the state, the attorneys and staff inside of Johnson County, Kansas know Johnson County law better than outside attorneys. Our attorneys have argued cases before judges, learned the attitudes and preferences of the judges followed the lawyers and heard the arguments that have been rejected as well as those that have been successful. Additionally, Johnson County attorneys are familiar with the court staff that work directly with the judges. Court staff can be very helpful to attorneys for information regarding the court’s schedule and docket.
Another benefit to a Johnson County lawyer is their networking connections within the Johnson County community. Johnson County family law attorneys often know professionals including therapists, accountants, and other business owners. There are many needs in a family law case outside of the attorney, all of which can be referred inside of Johnson County.
Ideal Qualifications for Johnson County Family Law Attorneys
Finding the attorney to represent you in your family law case is a daunting task. When you make that decision, you’re counting on your attorney to do the best job possible in handling your case so that you can move on with your life. Some families have people they’ve known for awhile they can turn to for good recommendations, but others aren’t as lucky to have those connections.
Here are some key credentials you should look for when considering an attorney for your case:
Certifications. The state of Kansas has many certifications available, including those for law practice management, elder law, family law and mediation. Are they a member of the Kansas Bar Association or the Kansas Academy of Family Law Advocates, a firm that recognizes the most qualified Kentucky lawyers?
Experience. You may see lawyers who have their experience touted throughout ads and websites, but what does it mean? How many cases just like yours have they tried in front of a judge? What’s their win-loss record? If you’re ready to try your case, what’s their record on cases that go to trial?
Specializations. Just because a lawyer does a broad area of family law doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for your case. When interviewing attorneys, ask what type of cases they specialize in. Do they regularly handle cases like yours, or is it a sign that they dabble in that area of family law?
While credentials don’t always paint the complete picture, it’s a good starting point as you choose the right lawyer to suit your needs.
Inquiries to Make with Prospective Attorneys
Before you sit down with multiple attorneys, it may be wise to first make a list of questions that you want to ask. This way, you won’t leave the interview thinking of things you need to ask. Here’s a list of some questions that every family law client should think to ask:
What is your fee structure?
Most family law attorneys charge by the hour. Many attorneys have a sliding scale based on their years of experience. When you are interviewing potential family law attorneys, ask them what their hourly rates are. If you aren’t satisfied with your choices, you can always interview other attorneys.
How long have you been practicing?
Every attorney in the firm may have different levels of experience. If you are dealing with a minor matter, you may be comfortable having a more experienced attorney train a less experienced attorney. If you are dealing with a more serious issue, you may want to make sure that the attorney has experience in your type of case so that you have the best chance of winning.
What is your success rate?
It’s not always necessary for a family law attorney to have a 100% success rate, but you want the attorney that you choose to have won the majority of the cases that they’ve handled. An attorney with a very low success rate may not be your best choice. The only downside to this question is that a smart and careful attorney will not always give you a straight answer. Sometimes there are other factors in a case that the attorney could not have controlled. Keep that in mind when deciding whether to hire an attorney or not.
How do you handle cases?
Family law attorneys should have a general process that they follow when handling a case. If an attorney’s process is too rigid or too loose for your liking, don’t be surprised if you don’t feel comfortable with that attorney. Make sure that the process makes sense to you before you retain them.
How much contact can I expect from you?
Some clients want regular updates while others don’t want to hear from their attorney unless there’s a big development. If you know your temperament, make sure you ask about whether it would be fine to have only periodic updates versus daily updates. Understand how many times per year you will have a face-to-face meeting with the attorney. Ask how often they will contact you and let you know what’s going on with your case.
Leading Family Law Firms in Johnson County
Some of the top family law firms in Johnson County include:
Tiffany & Boswell
The husband-and-wife team of Frank and Judy Tiffany has practiced in the Johnson County area since 1982, together and separately. Frank is a Certified Mediator.
Graves McClain
Leading attorneys Stephanie Graves, Jody McClain Adair and Timothy Coyle practice at Graves McClain , where they offer a variety of family law services.
Meir Law Firm
Clients with child custody and support issues speak highly about the Meir Law Firm, a family-run business headed by Cindy Meir, her son Adam Meir, and her sister-in-law Yesim Meir. They have been in business for more than 30 years and offer a full range of legal services.
Client Testimonials & Reviews: The Voice of Experience
In today’s digital age, client testimonials and reviews hold significant importance when choosing a family law attorney. Reviews can give you insights into the lawyer’s communication style and legal expertise, with written accounts allowing clients to describe their experiences in detail.
Positive testimonials from previous clients can help you gauge the reliability and trustworthiness of that particular attorney. The main thing to consider is whether the person giving the review seems credible. If you feel there is a chance the review could be fake, there’s a good chance it is.
Bonus tip: don’t just rely on reviews. Selecting a family law attorney is a critical choice that can affect your life for years to come, so it’s always a good idea to meet prospective attorneys in person.
Final Remarks: Picking the Ideal Family Law Representation
In conclusion, finding the best family law attorney in Johnson County requires you to make a conscious decision about who you want to hire to represent you. It is important for you to have a final round of consultations with potential attorneys who you are interested in hiring. Tell the attorneys you meet with how you have already done your own research, and that you would like their final thoughts on the research you have done, as well as their own experiences.
A thorough matrimonial attorney will answer your questions, explain the different issues you are facing, and hopefully give you their thoughts on how the case will proceed if you retain them . You should be sure that they understand the financial issues at play, and prepare to answer their questions about the nature of your assets.
Be sure to leave their office with a clear sense as to whether they are truly able to help you, or whether some of the other family law firms in the area may be more appropriate for you and your situation. Only you can decide who works best for you, but doing the proper research beforehand should give you a wide array of choices and attorneys that may work for you.
The next step, should be making that decision, and retaining the attorney you feel works best for you and your family.