Lawyer Consultation

Identifying the Right Attorney is Critical.

The proper attorney on your team increases the chances of achieving the desired outcome. Be strategic about the choice of counsel. 

Check out our list of questions to ask attorneys during the Lawyer Consultation Process here:

Consider these key factors:

1. Retain a reputable family law lawyer who regularly practices family law
Choose an attorney who specializes in all matters of family law

2. Lawyer who practices in the geographical area of the child
They’ll have existing relationships with courts, judges
They’ll be more familiar with the tendencies of the courts, judges
Lower retainer fees & costs (limited travel expenses)
Creates an even playing field with the opposing party
They’ll be performing on their home turf

3. Lawyer who will work for you
Constantly working for you is key to your success

4. Lawyer who will lead in preparation
Help you understand the laws of your state
Prepare you to address those laws
Lead you and navigate the process

5. See our Educational article “Choosing the Right Attorney While Establishing Child Custody” to learn more strategic tips.

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This is an expedition in the high seas and you’re in uncharted waters. You need a ship captain to lead navigate and complete the journey successfully.

While there are many ways to identify the RIGHT attorney given your circumstances, utilizing the Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services is a suggested approach. 

The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service and local bar association lawyer referral services make it easy for a consumer to contact a lawyer. Local bar associations administer 10 referral services, operating in Florida’s major cities. The Florida Bar handles all other referrals from areas without a local service.

Utilize the Coverage Map to see the Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service in the county of your court case.

Seal of the Broward County Bar Association featuring a seated woman reading a book, a scale of justice, laurel branches, and the inscription 'Fidelity to Law & Truth,' with gold and blue colors.
Logo of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association featuring scales of justice and the year 1971.
Logo of the Jacksonville Bar Association featuring a stylized city skyline and text 'Jacksonville Bar Association since 1897'.
Logo of the Orange County Bar Association with a blue circular background, a balance scale, a gavel, a map of Florida with an orange star, and the text 'Orange County Bar Association Est. 1933'.
Logo of the Clearwater Bar Association featuring a stylized palm tree, scales of justice, and a sun, with text 'Since 1930' and 'Clearwater Bar Association'.
Seal of Florida featuring a scene with a Native American riding a horse, a cotton plant, a Seminole woman, and a radiant sun, with the text 'The Florida' and the year 1950.
An illustration of a dental or mouth-related diagram with yellow and gray sections, possibly representing teeth and gum structures, on a dark background.
Logo of the Palm Beach County Bar Association featuring a scale of justice with green leaves in the background and orange and blue colors.
Logo of the Collier County Bar Association featuring a stylized palm tree with green, blue, and teal fronds and brown trunk.
Seal of the Hillsborough County Bar Association with a depiction of traditional Russian church domes, the text 'Hillsborough County Bar Association Since 1896' encircles it.
Logo of the Dade County Bar Association, featuring a pink silhouette of Miami buildings, palm trees, and the abbreviation DCBA with a light blue and black circular border. The logo also includes the year 1916.
Official Seal of Pinellas County, Florida, featuring a woman in traditional dress, palm trees, and a bridge, with text indicating it's from the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Pinellas County, Florida.
Bronze coin featuring Lady Justice with a beam scale in her left hand and a sword in her right hand. Surrounding text reads 'Sixth Judicial Circuit Florida'.
Seal of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Pasco County, featuring a courthouse, a gavel and bell, and the phrase 'In God We Trust'.
Seal of the Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller of Hillsborough County, Florida, featuring Lady Justice holding scales and a sword, with a shield in front of her.
A coin with the emblem of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, featuring Lady Justice holding scales and a sword, with the text 'Sixth Judicial Circuit Florida' around the edge.
Seal of Florida featuring the state's outline, the words 'Florida 1972', and the text 'Office of State Courts Administrator' around the border.
 

 There is a wide variety of accessible resources to help narrow the search and find the proper legal counsel. 

The list is meant to provide general information to users that are researching legal information and ways to identify and find legal aid. The information should be used as a resource that can help narrow a search by seeing available options.

  • Logo of the Ocean Conservancy, featuring a stylized wave and a leaf, with the text 'Ocean Conservancy' and the tagline 'Save the sea, save ourselves'.

    Featured Resource for Tampa Bay Area Parents

    Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm serving residents in the Tampa Bay area, providing all of our services free of charge thanks to the generosity of the community.

  • A blue rectangular banner with a circular logo on the left side that reads "County Bar Association" and "Est. 1935". The background is light blue with white text.

    Orange County Bar Association

    The Orange County Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service. SERVING THE Legal Profession, SERVING THE Community.

  • Logo for Milavetz Law, P.A. featuring a stylized 'M' in orange and dark red, with the company name written in dark red on a dark background.

    Featured Resource for Minnesota Parents

    Milavetz Law, P.A. — Legal problems can make you feel lost and unimportant. At Milavetz Law, P.A, they believe that your voice, your rights and your story matter. They stand up for you even when it seems like no one else will.

  • Logo of Legal Services Corporation with text 'America's Partner for Equal Justice' and 'Legal Services Corporation'.

    Get Legal Help

    LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 132 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

  • A sign with a green background and white border displaying a large lowercase 'r' and the text 'reel fathers rights.' Below is smaller text reading 'The Fathers Rights Attorney'.

    Featured Resource for Southern California Parents

    ReelFathersRights.com — A Dedicated Father's Rights Firm Serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino Counties and Greater Southern California in Divorce, Child Custody, and Family Law Court Proceedings