What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Certified Family Law Specialist?
We are often asked what the benefits of retaining a certified family law specialist in California are.
Getting a divorce involves making life-changing decisions. Most divorces are filled with stress and anxiety that overwhelms you, and even basic decisions seem challenging.
The term “divorce” means the legal dissolution of marriage by a family law court and, by its very nature, is a series of compromises. In other words, negotiating with your spouse is a routine part of a divorce.
It doesn't matter if you have remained on friendly terms or can't stand even talking to each other. You will have to find a way to negotiate a divorce settlement agreement, or you are forcing the court to make life-altering decisions.
Do you want a judge who knows nothing about your family making critical decisions on child custody and property division? If not, you better put your pride and anger on hold and negotiate with your spouse.
This means you should hire an experienced family law attorney to look out for your best interests and children, which are a top priority. Let's review this topic in more detail below.
What is the Board of Legal Specialization?
The State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS) recommends program rules and provides policies and guidelines for the certification of specialists.
They also develop testing and legal education criteria for the specialists and advise the Board of Trustees on establishing specialty fields. They make it easier for somebody to find an expert in family law.
When you retain a family attorney who is a California Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS), you are hiring someone to represent you that has the expertise to deal with all the crucial issues related to your divorce.
The process to become a certified specialist is comprehensive. To get on this exclusive list of attorneys, they must be certified by the Board of Legal Specialization or a similar certification program accredited by the California State Bar.
The lawyer must demonstrate proficiency in family law by passing written examinations and completing the level of education needed. After passing the exam and becoming certified, they are required to:
- continue demonstrating a high level of experience and skill in family law,
- complete continuing education requirements, and
- get favorably evaluated by other lawyers and judges familiar with their work.
So, if you're looking for a lawyer with the training and expertise to handle all the different aspects of your divorce, then you can find a certified specialist.
Certified as an Expert in Family Law
Let's be honest; not all family law lawyers are the same, just like other professions. Choosing your attorney could be one of the most important decisions you could make when getting a divorce in California.
Selecting a lawyer with the skills and experience to give you the highest quality legal representation is critical. They could make the difference in whether you obtain a favorable outcome on child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.
In other words, a Certified Family Law Specialist can prove very beneficial inside the courtroom or during out-of-court negotiations with your spouse. A CFLS is a licensed legal professional with an additional certification of expertise in family law.
They went through standard licensing requirements to be deemed a family law specialist and certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. They have to meet the following requirements:
- passed a written family law examination,
- completed years of experience in family law,
- have the required education in family law,
- show proficiency in the area of family law,
- show a continued high level of experience,
- maintain positive evaluations from other legal professionals,
- complete ongoing education requirements.
The process to become and maintain certification is thorough. It means that Certified Family Law Specialists are unique and not common. It means they made the extra effort to become a specialist in their field of law.
How is a Family Law Specialist Different?
When you decide to retain a California Certified Family Law Specialist to represent you in divorce proceedings, you have someone who is an expert in your type of case.
They usually are divorce professionals specializing in crucial areas such as child custody and support, alimony, terminate spousal support, and the division of assets and property.
While no lawyers should ever guarantee a specific outcome, having an expert will give you the best chance of success.
When you work with a CFLS in your divorce-related issue, you have someone who has demonstrated a high standard of excellence. They are routinely better qualified to handle your case than a lawyer who is not certified in family law.
Most divorce issues are settled out-of-court when a mutual settlement agreement has been signed. A CFLS is typically skilled in negotiations between spouses.
If you are forced to litigate the divorce in a trial, you can be assured of their ability to represent your best interest in the courtroom. If you have a complex family law issue, a certified specialist is best qualified to represent you in cases of:
- high-asset divorce,
- contested divorce,
- high-net-worth individuals,
- business owner divorce,
- pension plans with CalPERS or CalSTRS,
- employee restricted stock units,
- contested child custody battle.
A CFLS can explain California family laws and how they relate to the divorce settlement you seek.
They can help you prepare required legal documents, identify potential tax issues, and negotiate emotional issues on your behalf, such as keeping the marital home. They can help you present the most robust case possible.
If you are ready to work with lawyers who are California Certified Family Law Specialists, then contact the Los Angeles divorce attorneys at Furman & Zavatsky, who offer a free case evaluation.