No doubt about it: “FREE” is certainly a more appealing selling point than having to pull out your wallet when you are looking for a service to be done. This may come as a shocker, but outside of pro bono legal services, it is important to understand that “free” is a way for lawyers to try to get their phones to light up and people in their offices, but of course lawyers are not working for free in the long run.
You have likely seen all kinds of lawyer ads on TV and on billboards advertising “free consultations,” but such ads are pointed to personal injury clients, not family law and divorce clients. And, to be sure, there are a few legal professionals out there who do claim to offer free consultations for family law matters, but there are a few reasons why “free” means “you get what you pay for” (as in essentially nothing) when it comes to consultations on family law matters.
Why Most Family Law Attorneys Do Not Offer Free Consultations
If all personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, why shouldn’t family law attorneys? There are several good reasons for this.
With a personal injury, there is always a question of whether someone else is actually liable for the injury such that it is possible to bring a winning lawsuit. Thus, the free consultation is primarily about the attorney determining whether there is indeed grounds for a lawsuit, and less about providing legal guidance to a person in need.
With divorce, there is no question of whether you can pursue a divorce. You always have the right to pursue a divorce. A consultation with a family law attorney is not about a lawyer determining whether you have a case but rather giving you the counsel you need to make decisions going forward.
Also, with personal injury, the representation will almost always be on contingency, meaning the attorney doesn’t get paid unless and until you win, so, in a sense, the entire representation is “free” unless and until you win. Not so with family law which involves continuous service to help you reach your goals, not win a claim.
“Free” Is Often Code for “Sales Pitch”
Again, attorneys generally aren’t working solely out of the good of their heart when providing “free” services. While many attorneys do genuinely love serving people, they do need to get paid, and so it is unreasonable to expect you are going to get all the legal counsel you need for your divorce without paying for the service. Thus, a “free consultation” is often just a sales pitch to get you to hire the attorney and get the actual legal advice you need.
Take the Financial and Relational Implications of Your Divorce Seriously
Following from the last point, when you are facing the significant financial and relational implications of your divorce – which can affect your finances and relationship with your children and spouse for many years to come – you need answers that are tailored to your specific situation, not a sales pitch, especially if you are not even sure if you want to pursue a divorce yet.
While a consultation with an experienced California family law attorney may involve paying a fee, it can save you many thousands of dollars and unnecessary heartache in the long run.
For any questions on family law in California, contact the Law Office of Kelley C. Finan today to schedule a consultation to discuss your circumstances.