The breaking up of a family is always a difficult and emotional situation. And if there are children involved, it makes it that much harder. Between the divisions of assets, custody agreements, parenting time and financial support, the whole ordeal can become overwhelming very quickly. Pennsylvania has a lot of complicated and confusing laws regarding family matters. And more often than not, it is best to not try to go it alone.
2. Table of contents
Breaking Up is Hard to do!
Does the attorney practice in any other areas, or are they exclusive to
family law?
Does the attorney present themselves in a professional manner?
Does the attorney have experience in handling cases similar to yours?
Does the attorney communicate well with you?
Does the attorney have a plan?
Do you feel you can work with this attorney?
3. Breaking Up is Hard to do!
The breaking up of a family is always a difficult and emotional situation. And
if there are children involved, it makes it that much harder. Between the
divisions of assets, custody agreements, parenting time and financial
support, the whole ordeal can become overwhelming very quickly.
Pennsylvania has a lot of complicated and confusing laws regarding family
matters. And more often than not, it is best to not try to go it alone.
4. Erie is one of the state’s five biggest geographical regions. When families
break apart, it can seem like an impossible situation for everyone involved.
But for as difficult as it can be, know that you will get through it. And
regardless of the particulars of your situation, if you find yourself in need of a
Family Law Attorney in Erie, there are numerous avenues of assistance that
you can pursue. For starters, let’s examine some of the things you’ll want to
look for when selecting the right family law attorney:
5. Does the attorney practice in any other areas, or are
they exclusive to family law?
Basically, this is a nice way of asking if the lawyer you are considering is an
expert. When it comes to your family, a ‘jack of all trades’ may not be the
person to put your trust in.
6. Does the attorney present themselves in a professional
manner?
This should go without saying, but I will say it anyway. Your attorney is the
person who will be representing you to a judge, a mediator, your family, and
anyone else that may be involved in the proceedings. As a reflection of you,
pick someone who understands the importance of professionalism.
7. Does the attorney have experience in handling cases
similar to yours?
There are many, many aspects of family law. And everyone’s situation is
different. When evaluating attorneys, make sure they have experience
dealing with cases similar to your own. There is no ‘one size fits all’ in matters
of family law.
8. Does the attorney communicate well with you?
This is a big one. At the end of the day, your lawyer is there to do a job. It is
not their family that is going through this, and it is not their life that will be
drastically changed. Even if this is a lawyer whom you have known for years,
they are there to collect a paycheck. When they are communicating with you
about your case, they shouldn’t have dollar-signs in their eyes.
9. Does the attorney have a plan?
You probably already know what you want from this situation, and it is the
job of your lawyer to help you get it. Make sure you select someone that has
a logical and practical plan to get you across the finish line.
10. Do you feel you can work with this attorney?
This one may be more of a ‘gut feeling,’ but it is still every bit as important.
What kind of vibe do you get from the lawyer? Remember, you will probably
be spending a fair amount of time with them. If they aren’t somebody who
you think you can collaborate with, then they may not be the best choice.
11. The Erie Bar Association offers a comprehensive list of local public legal-
service agencies who are ready and willing to help. These services and
organizations exist to provide low or no-cost legal services to low-income
families in need of assistance. If you are like most people, the cost of a
lengthy court battle is probably not something you’re prepared for. But don’t
worry; finding a family law attorney in Erie, PA doesn’t have to cost you your
entire life savings. Everything from information about the public defender’s
office, to legal-aid volunteer-attorneys can be found on the Erie Bar
Association’s website.
12. Another fantastic resource is Legal Support Today. This is a web-based
organization that helps connect those in need with affordable legal services,
including family attorneys. While this service is not exclusive to the Erie area,
they are a fantastic resource should you find yourself unable to afford an
attorney to help you navigate the pitfalls of the legal system.
13. There are presently just under 13 million residents living in Pennsylvania, and
just over 94,000 of them hang their hats in Erie. And at 50,112, Pennsylvania
has the fourteenth-most licensed attorneys in the United States. That comes
out to roughly 256 people for every lawyer. So the bottom line is this: if you
live in Erie, and regardless of your situation, or your financial limitations, there
is a Family Law Attorney that can help. And there are numerous resources
available to assist you in your search to find them.
14. Contact a local lawyer
Company Name: Law Offices of Bruce G. Sandmeyer, Esq
Address: 1001 State Street Suite 1400, Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-616-2928
Fax: 814-480-5750
Family Law Attorney - https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/Family-Law/
Criminal Defense Attorney - https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/Criminal-Law.shtml
DUI Lawyer - https://www.brucegsandmeyer.com/DUI.shtml
