FAQ

Below we provide brief answers to some of the frequently asked family law questions that we receive. We take this opportunity to point out that if you are seeking answers to these questions then it is more than likely that you should take assistance and we recommend that you seek advice from an experienced family lawyer without further delay. 

Do I need a lawyer?

Strictly speaking you do not “need” a lawyer. It is a fundamental principle that you have a right to represent yourself in court proceedings and draft your own legal documents. However, that said, it is always highly recommended that you obtain legal advice to ensure that you do not take any actions that negatively affect your rights. As the saying goes, prevention is better than the cure.

How much will it cost?

Your costs will of course depend on the work that you want us to perform. Lawyers have an obligation to provide each client with an estimate of the total cost likely to be incurred for undertaking any work. At ABA Lawyers we are completely transparent in relation to our costs. We encourage you to send us an e-mail to obtain an estimate of your likely costs.

Can I get a second opinion or change lawyers?

There are many law firms competing for your business. The quality of service provided by these law firms varies significantly from firm to firm and from lawyer to lawyer. If you are not 100% satisfied with the service that you are receiving from your lawyer then you should not feel bad about getting a second opinion, as there is no obligation on you to continue to use the same law firm.

Do I need a Will?

That is a simple one: YES. It is surprising how many clients do not have a valid Will. The other issue the clients often have is of course that a significant period of time has elapsed since their Will was prepared. Circumstances have changed and their Will is likely to be invalid. If you think it is time to get or update your Will then e-mail us for an estimate.

Do I have to go to court?

Going to court can be time consuming, stressful and expensive. The good news is that you do not have to go to court to resolve a family law dispute. We recommend that parties go to court as a last resort only. There are a range of alternative services available to parties such as family dispute resolution, mediation, alternative dispute resolution, mediation style conference and arbitration. We strongly recommend that you take advice before picking the appropriate service for your situation.