When divorce or family law matters begin, a party should hire a lawyer. Various factors can be relevant when deciding what attorney or law firm to fire, from experience, practice focus, personality, hourly rates, etc.

Oftentimes, an attorney can be found based on a personal referral. In other instances, a party might find a lawyer online after researching the lawyer, through hearing about them in an advertisement, or through other means. No matter the situation, the decision in terms of what lawyer to hire is an important one. An individual who needs a lawyer ought to carefully consider this decision.

When the Relationship Does Not Go Well

However, sometimes the client can have second thoughts about the lawyer or law firm chosen. It might be that there is a personality conflict. For example, individuals who need a divorce lawyer often need somebody caring and compassionate.

A party might also have concerns about the lawyer’s ability to meet their goals. Some clients have particular goals that are vital to them. Based on the lawyers’ skills and advocacy, some clients might become concerned for various reasons. It might be that they do not feel their lawyer is zealously advocating for them.

The level and method of communication can also become the source of dispute. For example, some clients might feel their lawyer is not promptly responding to their emails and phone calls. In other instances, the client might not like how the lawyer explains the case and their options. In worst-case scenarios, the relationship between a lawyer and a client can become adversarial when they are not on the same page.

What to Do When the Relationship is Not Going Well?

Regardless of the situation, the client can face an important choice when the relationship is not going well, or the client is not confident in their lawyer. Do they stick with their lawyer and hope that the representation improves? Or do they get a different lawyer to represent them?

The decision on whether to remain with the current lawyer or get a new one is important. There are no right or wrong answers. In many cases, the representation may improve. In other cases, the relationship may end up getting worse.

When a decision is made to obtain a new lawyer, it is essential to make a better decision the second go-around. Otherwise, a situation could arise where the client is also not happy with their second lawyer.

When to Make The Final Decision?

Regardless, it is generally essential for a client to decide as early in the case as possible if they want to make a change in a lawyer. The closer a case gets to trial, the harder it can be to change. A new lawyer would likely have to spend substantial time getting up-to-speed in the case. For this reason, it is generally better to make the change earlier in the case than later.

However, sitting down with the lawyer and expressing their concerns with the representation can also be a vital first step. In some situations, the differences can be resolved such that no new lawyer is needed.