A guide to becoming a family lawyer
Every lawyer has a responsibility to represent their clients to the best of their abilities. Nowhere is this responsibility more important than in family law cases where emotions are so high and there is such a personal investment in the outcome.
Family law cases can be incredibly highly pressured and with the safety of Children or the conviction of an abusive partner at stake it takes a certain sort of person and skillset to thrive in the role of family lawyer.
Of course, not all family law cases involve these distressing and difficult topics. Family lawyers also oversee divorce proceedings and help finalise child custody agreements that are completely mutual and there is no ill-feeling from either side.
However, there is almost always a huge amount of emotion involved and only a select few have the aptitude to help their clients navigate some of the most momentous moments in their lives.
That said, being a family lawyer can be incredibly rewarding and you have the chance to make a genuine difference to the life of your clients every single day and find justice for the people within society who deserve it the most.
If you want to join the elite band of qualified family lawyers in Scotland, this article is the guide you need.
What do family lawyers do?
Just some of the responsibilities of family lawyers include drafting wills, divorce settlements, customer agreements, and adoption documents. Asset division in the event of a divorce is another major part of the family lawyer role.
If it does come down to it, they will represent their clients in court but in many cases both sides will have an interest in avoiding the additional stress and upset that this will cause them and their families.
Family lawyers will be experienced in handling out of court negotiations and mediating two parties.
Some of the most difficult and challenging family law cases are those that involve child custody and these are the cases that often become most emotionally charged. It is the task of a family lawyer to remain calm and take the emotion out of the situation as much as possible.
How to become a family lawyer
Becoming any kind of lawyer requires a huge amount of dedication and family lawyer is no different. The first step you will need to take is obtaining a bachelor’s degree. This does not need to be a degree in family law, however. Many prefer to study for a degree in general law as this gives them a broad understanding of many different areas of the law and lets them decide which one they want to specialise in further down the line.
Once a degree has been obtained, you will need to obtain a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice if you wish to become a fully qualified solicitor before securing a training contract at a law firm.
Again, this firm doesn’t need to focus solely on family law but if this is the route you want to go down you should try to find one that does have a strong focus on family law cases.
