Westgate, New South Wales5 family lawyers right near you

In France, in order to practise as a lawyer, one must at least hold a Master 1 in law and then follow the curriculum of a law school and thus pass the certificate of aptitude for the legal profession (CAPA). The student lawyer is then required to take an oath before the Court of Appeal of his or her bar. Throughout their career, they must respect the principles of their profession: "I swear, as a lawyer, to perform my duties with dignity, conscience, independence, probity and humanity". To practise, a lawyer must be registered with a bar association. This information can be verified with the Westgate bar association. There are 26 specialisations for lawyers. To be able to justify this, a lawyer must practise in the said speciality for 4 years and then apply to the National Bar Council and pay the registration fee of €960 including VAT.

The role of a family lawyer in Westgate is to assist clients in all legal matters relating to civil partnerships, marriage, divorce - whether for fault, permanent impairment of the marital bond or by mutual consent - the division of property, parental authority, adoption, maintenance and of course all matters relating to inheritance. Less well known is the fact that a lawyer specialising in family law is also competent in matters relating to violence between spouses.

Strictly speaking, a general lawyer can handle a dispute very well without being specialised in family law, but it is better to use a legal professional who has some experience in the field. While the fees of a specialist lawyer may be higher than those of a general practitioner, the process will usually take less time and the client will be more likely to comply with the request. For example, a divorce is often a painful stage in a couple's life. Poorly defended, a client may be harmed not only mentally, but also in terms of property. The role of a lawyer is to defend his client's interests to the maximum; it is difficult to do without one in any dispute concerning the family.

To hire a family lawyer in Westgate, you need to scour the professional directories and find out what areas the legal professional is involved in. Not all lawyers deal with divorce or inheritance matters. Some are specialised in business law, intellectual property law, patent law or even criminal law. However, in most cases, if the lawyer you contact is not a specialist in family law, he or she will refer you to a colleague.

The popular image of a lawyer is often linked to litigation, a judge or a trial. However, the lawyer also has a role of advice and mediation. It is possible to contact a family lawyer in Westgate for any question relating to the law. For example, the drafting of a marriage contract. Also, in certain situations, the use of a lawyer is mandatory, especially in the context of divorce. Even if it is by mutual consent, each party must have their own counsel. A lawyer can be a valuable advisor in all matters relating to parentage: simple or full adoption procedures, negotiation of maintenance payments, access and residence rights for children, etc.

The fees of a family lawyer are generally higher than those of a general lawyer. The reputation of the law firm, its geographical location and the complexity of the case are also important criteria. As an indication, in Westgate, the cost is €250/hour. For certain procedures, particularly in the context of a divorce, a lawyer may offer you a fixed fee. The cost of a lawyer is often a disincentive to start a procedure or to assert one's rights. However, it is possible to take out legal expenses insurance, which allows you to cover part of the costs in certain disputes. You should also know that everyone in France has the right to a lawyer, regardless of their resources. Below a certain income, you can apply for legal aid.

- Rule n°1: a good lawyer is a lawyer who is responsive, available, easily contactable and above all involved in the case. He must act as an advisor but also warn you about the stakes of a procedure.
- Rule n°2: a family law lawyer must be aware of the case law, laws and doctrines governing this branch of private law.
- Rule 3: a lawyer must charge fees in line with the stakes of a case.
- Rule n°4: contrary to urban legend, it is possible to change lawyers at any time if you no longer feel the flow.

The fee agreement. During a first meeting between a lawyer and a client, a fee agreement must be established. This is a kind of contract in which the terms of the management of the dispute, the method of remuneration and an estimated duration of the time spent by the lawyer on the case are mentioned.
If your situation qualifies for legal aid, check with the family lawyer whether he or she is open to this type of collaboration.
In the context of a divorce, find out which type of procedure is best suited to the situation. Discuss the issue of custody of the children, the different types of custody, and the arrangements for paying child support.