There are situations where you just don’t click with someone, whether due to personality conflicts, disagreements, or other factors. It can be frustrating in any context, but your circumstances are especially challenging when communications with trust or confidence in the attorney you’ve retained to handle a family law matter breaks down. You have a business relationship with this individual, but it’s one which centers on very personal, emotional issues.
As such, when your situation becomes intolerable, you might find yourself asking, can I change my lawyer?” The answer is yes, you can terminate your business relationship. There are some state laws and family law procedural rules to be followed since you need court approval if there is a pending case.
However, it’s important to avoid making the same mistakes from the second time around. You’ll need to recognize some of the reasons you want to switch and understand what to look for in your search. This assessment ensures you’ll be working with an experienced, compassionate Chicago divorce and family law attorney, which prioritizes your needs.
Reasons to Consider Changing Your Lawyer
Some of the signs you need to make a switch are obvious, such as if your attorney engaged in misconduct. Others are more subtle, making them harder to spot. Still, you should consider retaining new legal counsel under the following circumstances:
- You feel like your lawyer doesn’t consider your input and objectives with your family law matter. While you cannot expect your attorney to meet every single goal you’ve established, it’s important he/she listen to your insights and apply them whenever possible.
- It’s a red flag with legal representation if your primary point of contact is an administrator, paralegal, or other support staff at the firm. It’s understandable you may be speaking with these individuals periodically, but your lawyer should be the person you communicate with regarding questions or concerns about your case.
- Overall, if you don’t have a sense of comfort and confidence in your relationship with your attorney, you should look elsewhere.
What to Look for When Retaining a Divorce and Family Law Professional
Again, there are some obvious factors when you’re seeking an attorney to represent you. You want to make sure your lawyer has the requisite knowledge and is licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. It’s also important to review relevant experience in the field of family law, rather than a designated number of years in practice.
In addition:
- Make sure your attorney’s primary area of focus is divorce and family law. Many firms handle a wide range of cases, with just a fraction of the practice being dedicated to these topics.
- Considering the nature of the subject matter – you want to seek out a lawyer with compassion and understanding about sensitive family law issues.
- Look for an attorney that listens to your goals and works with you to develop a strategy around them. There are no guarantees, but your lawyer should be your legal partner in striving to achieve the same, attainable objectives.
Find an attorney that helps you analyze your options at each stage of your case so that you can make smart, cost effective decisions.
Talk to a Chicago Divorce and Family Law Attorney That Suits Your Needs
Hopefully, this information answers the question, “Can I Change My Lawyer?” and provides you some guidance on the factors to note when you’re talking with candidates to take over your divorce or family law case. To learn how our team can serve your personal needs, please contact Michael C. Craven in Chicago, IL. You can set up a consultation by calling (312) 621-5234 or visiting our website. We’re happy to show you how we can be the right fit.
