Choosing a Family Lawyer in Perth

Family law is a specialist field. It most often deals with divorce, separation and children’s matters, and it also reaches into financial agreements, adoption, domestic violence and property settlements. The lawyer you choose shapes your strategy, the pace of your matter and the result. If you own a business or hold complex assets, that choice carries even more weight, because the financial questions are rarely simple. 

Here is what to look for when you choose a family lawyer in Perth. 

Specialisation

It can be tempting to ask a solicitor friend for help. A better step is to find a specialist family lawyer with experience in matters like yours. Ask about recent examples and outcomes in similar situations, with client confidentiality respected. Where a business, trust or investment portfolio is involved, look for someone who deals with that complexity regularly rather than occasionally. A lawyer who works across many areas of law may know the basics, while a specialist deals with the same issues every day and can anticipate how a matter is likely to develop. That day-to-day exposure shows in the quality of the advice and the strategy you are given. 

Accreditation 

You should be represented by a family lawyer accredited in family law by the Law Society of Western Australia. The processes, frameworks and precedents that apply in Western Australia differ from other states in subtle but important ways, and local experience matters. Western Australia has its own Family Court, and matters here proceed under a framework that does not apply in the same way elsewhere, so a lawyer who practises in it every day understands its particular requirements. 

Reputation 

Perth is a small city, so word of mouth counts in your search for a family law firm. If you would rather not ask friends about personal matters, online reviews and client testimonials are a reliable way to gauge a firm’s track record. Scrutinise how a firm has performed for people in situations like yours. 

Someone you can work with 

Family law deals with sensitive and personal situations. You need a lawyer you trust to keep your interests front of mind while staying professional and measured through negotiations that will affect your future. The right working relationship makes the whole matter easier to manage. 

What to expect in a first meeting 

Meeting a lawyer before you commit is the best way to judge fit. A useful first meeting should give you a clear understanding of the law relating to your case, personal advice on the best course of action, confidence in the lawyer’s knowledge and experience, and an indication of the likely outcomes and the cost. You do not need to be in a court case to book one, as much of a family lawyer’s work is resolving matters before they reach court. Use that meeting to ask how the lawyer would approach a matter like yours, and what the likely steps and costs would be. 

Why clients choose Leach Legal 

Not all family law firms in Perth are the same. When you are looking for a lawyer to help with a divorce, separation or other family law matter, ask people you know for a recommendation and look closely at a firm’s record. 

As the largest team of specialist family lawyers in WA, we are in your corner from start to finish. We give you a tailored path forward and the certainty of knowing where you stand, whatever your circumstances. 

Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your situation and find out how our accredited family lawyers can help.