The end of a marriage can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. During such a challenging time, it can be difficult to know where to turn for legal representation. Depending on your circumstances, you might find yourself wondering, should I hire a divorce lawyer, or a family lawyer?
In today’s blog post, we’ll examine the difference between the terms “family lawyer” and “divorce lawyer” and guide you in choosing the right representation for your legal needs.
What’s the Difference Between a Divorce Lawyer and Family Lawyer?
There’s a common misconception that divorce lawyers and family lawyers handle separate fields of law. However, the short answer is that there isn’t a significant difference between divorce lawyers and family lawyers. Divorce is a subset of family law, which means that all divorce lawyers are family lawyers who handle divorce. However, family lawyers usually handle more than just divorce.
What is Family Law?
Family law is a broad term pertaining to legal issues in a family. This includes prenuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, separation agreements, parenting plans, child support, spousal support, family property disputes, adoptions, and other family law matters. Divorce also falls under the umbrella term of family law.
How Do I Choose Between a Divorce Lawyer and Family Lawyer?
When deciding on legal representation for your divorce, the way an attorney markets themselves can provide an important clue into the kind of services they offer and the experience they bring to the table. Although whether someone identifies as a divorce lawyer or family lawyer shouldn’t necessarily determine your choice, it can begin to give you an idea of what to expect.
It may help to consider the nuances behind the terms “divorce lawyer” and “family lawyer.” Attorneys identifying as divorce lawyers may be suggesting that they offer more aggressive legal representation, strictly focusing on the divorce and winning a settlement on your behalf. They may or may not choose not to handle cases involving child custody. On the other hand, those who identify as family lawyers may be ready to offer a more integrated approach, considering the long-term success of your case and providing conflict resolution to allow everyone involved to move on.
Ultimately, research is the best way to guide you in your decision. Determine what your goals are – mediation, collaboration, property distribution, a simple divorce, etc. This will help you find an attorney who can assist you in reaching those goals.
Bear in mind that an attorney who markets themselves as a divorce lawyer may still offer mediation, in the same way that a family lawyer may be able to aggressively dispute a case. However, it’s still important to consider your choice of words when using a search engine, as these nuances we’ve discussed may alter your search results.
Is Westside Family Law Right for Me?
The lawyers at Westside Family Law are experienced in divorce and family law and are eager to help you with your divorce and legal issues. Read about our divorce services or learn more about our firm.
We provide holistic representation in areas of family law and divorce, and are committed to aligning with your goals and helping you meet them. We would be happy to help you determine if our services are right for your legal needs. Contact us to set up a consultation or call us at 604-734-7911 to get started.