In some states and areas free legal services such as Legal Aid may be available for individuals that need a family law attorney but cannot financially afford one. Often these services are so overwhelmed with clients that the divorce process may take significantly longer to complete than using a paid attorney.

Most family attorneys will have to have advice and consultant with other professionals. These may include tax specialists, accountants, financial planners, therapists and even private investigators. Ask how your attorney handles these other professionals and do you pay them directly or does the attorney handle the payments as part of the fees charged to you.

A good family law attorney can handle more than just divorce and child custody cases. They ought to be able to advise you, at least in a general manner, on financial trusts, alimony, child support, civil unions, domestic partnership, adoption, and more.