When it comes to your family, don’t settle for anything but the best. Although it is not required for lawyers to specialize in a certain field, this doesn’t mean just any attorney should handle your family law. In the state of California, a Family Law Specialist is an expert at practicing family law. In order to have themselves considered as a specialist, attorneys must go through formal examination to pass certain requirements on the California bar and must additionally submit references. In addition, they must continue to take legal education classes in family law and report consistently.
Becoming a Certified Family Law Specialist
The California bar requires lawyers to complete formal examination to demonstrate their expertise. This requires lawyers to first show they have detailed knowledge of all family law matters. They prove this by completing a comprehensive test that requires deeper expertise than the general bar exam requires.
After passing this exam, Family Law Specialist applicants must further demonstrate specific experience and a continued education in the area of family law. This is where references help to attest to the knowledge and skill of their colleagues, in addition to verifying character and professionalism.
Why Hire a Family Law Specialist
While any lawyer may be able to help you with your family law case, this does not mean that any lawyer should. Family Law Specialists have the specific and necessary experience and expertise to best assist you with all family law matters.
While every lawyer will be professional and experienced, you may notice different treatment from a lawyer who has only ever handled personal injury, than with a Family Law Specialist. In fact, you may be surprised by how few Family Law Specialists there are in your area, despite the number of lawyers that claim to practice family law. For family law matters, credentials are important. A Family Law Specialist handles various personal and family issues.
- Divorce/ Annulment
- Child custody
- Visitation
- Child support payments
- Spousal support/ alimony
- Adoption
- State guardianship
- State child protection
- Domestic violence
Since these issues can be highly complex and sensitive, a family law specialist is highly recommended. Often in these cases, there is no specific legal code, which means you will want an experienced lawyer in these ares to provide you with the best legal action. For example, child custody should not be handled by just anyone. A less experienced lawyer may not recognize the child’s best interests and therefore not come to the most ideal solution. You may not even be able to recognize issues with the arraignment, which means you and your family could agree to something that doesn’t meet your needs.
Contact a Family Law Specialist Today
Lawyers are not required to specialize in any field, but any lawyer interested in becoming a certified family law specialist is. A family law specialist will have the certifications, demonstrated knowledge, and experience to provide you and your family with the best legal support. They will provide you with the sensitive care and trust that most family cases need.
