Tips for Choosing a Family Lawyer in Wollongong
The journey of establishing Seacliff Family Law has been filled with so many unknowns. One thing that has never wavered is our choice of location - the decision to provide a family law service in Wollongong was perhaps the easiest one of all.
From idyllic beaches to infectious culture, Wollongong is central to who we are and how we live. We’re truly humbled to have worked on countless Wollongong family law matters. Years of local experience has taught us that family law issues don’t discriminate - whether you’re based in the city or by the sea, the complexities of life will always find a way to manifest themselves.
Matters like separation and divorce can be emotionally challenging to say the least. Having access to genuine family law expertise can make a world of difference in achieving a favourable outcome that safeguards the future and welfare of your family.
With so many lawyers to choose from, it’s paramount that you take the time to be “picky”. Finding the right legal representation for your family law matter is perhaps one of the most crucial decisions you’ll ever make.
If you’re looking for a family law specialist in Wollongong, you’ve come to the right place. Here we’ll share our tips for choosing one. As you’ll see, finding a family lawyer is easy, finding the right one can be a little trickier. That said, the extra work pays dividends in the form of a professional who’ll guide you through the legal complexities with calm compassion and expert knowledge.
Understanding Wollongong Family Law
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where someone is giving a glowing review about an inner-city restaurant? It often leads to a statement like, “the best food is always in Sydney!” Funnily enough, we hear the same misconceptions about family law firms!
Don’t let a high-rise office and a designer suit fool you – some of the most determined and well-respected family lawyers can be found right here in Wollongong. And as we can attest, many of them aren’t too phased about rocking designer suits!
We consider ourselves to be in good company down here. We’re proud to belong to a network of professionals who truly pride themselves on providing comprehensive legal services pertaining to family related issues and disputes.
When you start searching for a family law specialist in Wollongong, you might start to see some commonalities. Typically, the work of Wollongong family law firms will centre around various aspects of family law including divorce, separation, children, parenting arrangements, property and financial settlements.
When it comes to identifying the best legal representation, these commonalities can often become confusing. While it’s easy to think that all family law firms do the same thing, it’s important to note that there can be major differences in the values and services of each.
Knowing what to look for in both your research and your interactions with family law firms, will go a long way in identifying the individuals who can truly untangle the complexities of your matter. At the very least, these individuals must strive to protect your rights and best interests, while providing solutions that cater to your unique circumstances.
The Importance of Expertise
There are a few things to consider when investigating family law services in Wollongong (and beyond). We always encourage people to pay close attention to each family lawyer’s:
· Communication and interpersonal skills – Is it clear that your matter matters to them? Do your conversations bring clarity and considered direction?
· Client testimonials and reviews – Are client experiences positive? Do they paint a complimentary picture of the lawyer’s reputation and professionalism?
· Fee structure and general transparency – Are the billing practices easy to grasp? Do you have a sound understanding of payment arrangements, hourly rates, retainer fees and, any additional expenses that could arise during the legal process?
· Accreditation and experience – Do they have specialised experience in the field of family law? Have they demonstrated a strong track record of handling cases like yours? Are they recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Family Law?
Let’s take a moment to delve deeper into Specialist Accreditation – trust us, it’s a game changer.
When it comes to sensitive family law matters, Accredited Family Law Specialists are widely regarded as the experts in the field. Endorsed by the NSW Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Logo, their family law expertise is clearly identifiable in the market.
The Law Society of NSW imposes stringent regulations around Specialist Accreditation. To be formally recognised, practitioners must pass a structured assessment process which requires them to draw on their existing knowledge and skills to demonstrate their competency and family law expertise.
Specialist Accreditation demands more than just a standard legal degree. To become (and remain) an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, a solicitor must renew their Accreditation annually. This means completing double the hours of Continuing Legal Education compared to non-Accredited Specialist Lawyers, ensuring that the highest standards are maintained for ongoing recognition.
By taking your time to seek out an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, you can rest assured that they have received formal endorsement of legal excellence. Backed by relevant knowledge, tailored legal strategies and trusted credibility, these professionals can provide you with a superior service and the ultimate peace of mind.
Of course, you may choose to engage a non-accredited specialist. In this instance, it’s important to weigh up the associated risks. For example, could their limited qualifications and experience put you at risk of unfavourable settlements, additional court time and other costs?
As a specialist, boutique firm, Seacliff Family Law is immersed in all of the intricacies of family law, allowing for the delivery of an impactful and well-informed service. As an Accredited Specialist in Family Law, Principal Solicitor, Ashleigh Wisbey, has seen first-hand how family law expertise can pave the way for long term benefits.
Ashleigh is humbled to help clients carve a new path and move forward with hope. She says, “recently a client came to us, seeking help in getting time with their children. They had been completely blocked from their lives and had no contact whatsoever. Despite attempts to do things on their own, the client had no success. After meeting with us, we quickly got to work arranging a very successful mediation session.
Off the back of this session, we promptly re-established time with the client and their children – all within a short time frame, no courts involved. This reunion meant the world to our client and we were honoured to help bring them back together.”
The importance of Specialist Accreditation and genuine family law expertise cannot be understated. Unwavering focus in this area of specialisation, ensures that your legal representation can provide you with the specialist resources and dedicated knowledge to untangle even the most complex family law matters.
Family Law Consultations
How to spot a suitable family lawyer
When we meet new people, a short interaction is often all it takes to affirm whether they can offer a safe space for us to be heard and understood. The realm of family law is no different – initial consultations are the ideal opportunity to get a feel for the firms, solicitors and wider teams who may be able to assist you in your matter.
Always trust your gut and don’t discount the way your prospective legal representation makes you feel! The way they communicate will really shine a light on their suitability - while professionalism is a priority, a personable approach is paramount.
Don’t base your decisions on expertise and experience alone. While these factors are important, be sure to seek out legal services that are woven with support, empathy and sensitivity, so that you are well equipped to make informed decisions about your future.
What to bring
Before your initial consultation, take stock of whether or not the team is doing anything in the background to speed up the process. Ideally, they should invite you to:
Outline the details of your situation.
Specify what you need help with. And,
Recount important dates or events that are relevant to your matter.
Ultimately, this can help to save time and costs, allowing the team to make some preparations and proposals before you meet.
On the day of your consultation, be sure to take any relevant documents including but not limited to:
Written correspondence with the other party
Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders
Draft Agreements
Court Documents
Court Orders
Photo identification (driver’s license or passport)
We always recommend bringing a pen and paper in case you need to take any notes. Additionally, if you’d find it more helpful, bring a support person along as well.
What to ask
Your initial consultation should equip you with all the information you need to make important decisions about how to proceed.
The power is in your hands - consider this meeting your opportunity to ask any questions that will help to bring clarity to your circumstances. The initial consultation should serve as an open forum and a safe space to:
Ask questions - that will help to empower you with knowledge.
Answer questions - in a judgement free zone to help the team understand your legal issues.
Receive advice – about your rights, responsibilities and entitlements.
Work together – to lay the foundations for a path forward.
Your prospective family lawyer should always welcome any questions that will assist you in making enlightened decisions about your path forward.
What to consider
When you leave an initial family law consultation, you should have received nothing less than expert knowledge, considered advice and future options regarding your matter in the context of family law.
When meeting with Family Law Services in Wollongong, look for those that display a high-level commitment to tailored solutions. In consultation with you, your legal team should ultimately prioritise four distinct elements:
Identification and Planning – understanding your situation and building a strategy.
Information Gathering – gathering all required information, data and evidence for your matter.
Proposal and Resolution Pathway - building a proposal based around the most appropriate resolution pathway (negotiation, mediation/arbitration and court).
Finalisation - documenting and formalising things when an agreement is reached, or an outcome is decided.
Should you feel uncertain about any of these factors, be sure to ask questions or, seek out a different family lawyer who can restore confidence and clarity to your situation.
Compassionate support
At Seacliff Family law, we are acutely aware of the emotional strain that comes with family law issues. If you’re feeling uncertainty, doubt and general overwhelm, know that you are not alone.
Taking the time to find holistic family law services in Wollongong, can really help to establish an extra layer of emotional support.
As holistic practitioners ourselves, we are forever mindful that hardships are detrimental to family health and well-being. We are proud to work in collaboration with a network of qualified professionals like mental health and financial experts, who can support and guide families through the family law journey.
You may be nurturing children or other family members through this process, however, your own mental health is a priority. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup! The right family lawyer will provide an enriching partnership that balances legal expertise in conjunction with additional avenues of support.
When choosing a family law specialist in Wollongong, look for legal services woven with support, empathy and sensitivity, so that you have a safe space to be heard, guided and understood.
When it comes to Wollongong family law, we’ve learnt that no two matters are ever alike. While we are passionate about helping as many people as we can, we always encourage people to do their research before choosing a family lawyer.
Take the time to be “selfish” and don’t be afraid to settle for anything less than the right family lawyer for you!
Consider this article your checklist on your search for your perfect legal match. To help you make an informed choice, take your time to find a legal partner that can offer:
undisputed expertise (including Specialist Accreditation)
A constructive consultation and,
compassionate support
Whatever path you choose to travel, our wish is that it equips you with certainty and closure, while empowering you to move forward with hope.
Looking for a Wollongong family law service?
Contact Seacliff Family Law today to schedule a consultation with an Accredited Specialist who will stand by you every step of the way. Take the first step toward a brighter, more secure future now.