Benefits of Hiring a Local Family Law Attorney

When couples separate, one of them might move far away, possibly out of state. Living so far away can create problems when it comes time to go through a divorce proceeding. Ideally, you should hire a local lawyer—someone familiar with the family courts in South Carolina who can shepherd your case toward a final divorce decree. 

Call Surasky Law Firm to speak with an Aiken, SC family law attorney. If you just moved to the area, you might be tempted to contact a lawyer from back home to represent you. Instead, call us. Below, we highlight the many reasons why a local attorney can more successfully handle your family law case. 

A Local Lawyer Knows Local Judges 

Unless you can reach an agreement with your spouse in a divorce, you will end up before a judge, who is tasked with deciding critical issues like alimony, child support, and child custody. A local lawyer has appeared before these judges dozens or hundreds of times. A local lawyer will understand what arguments are successful and how a judge views a case. 

Family law is not as cut-and-dried as many people imagine. Judges have the discretion to weigh competing factors. For example, if you are in a custody dispute, then a judge will analyze the dispute according to various factors, including each parent’s fitness, the history of serving as primary caregiver, and the children’s age and health, among other considerations. The law doesn’t tell a judge how to weigh all these factors. Ultimately, the judge must use his or her judgment to decide child custody. 

This is where a local lawyer really shows their worth. Because we know how judges think, we can craft arguments that appeal to the specific judge. Some judges might weigh allegations of domestic violence more seriously, while other judges might tend to prefer a stay-at-home parent when it comes to custody. 

We Know Local Rules and Court Procedures 

South Carolina has Rules of Civil Procedure which apply to all family law cases. However, each court also establishes its own rules and regulations. An experienced local lawyer will have familiarity with how judges run their courtrooms. An out-of-state lawyer can learn these rules, but it takes time. And judges tend to get annoyed if a lawyer messes up and doesn’t follow the rules to the letter. Hire a seasoned local lawyer to help you. 

We Are Already Licensed to Practice in the State 

It’s illegal to practice law in South Carolina without a bar license. For this reason, an out-of-state lawyer will need permission from a judge before they can represent a client in a South Carolina courtroom. In truth, judges tend to give permission somewhat liberally. But it’s better to hire a lawyer who already has the necessary license to practice law. 

Easier Access to Evidence 

It’s easier for a local lawyer to access relevant information to use in a case. For example, you might need to have your home valued as part of divorce, or you need your child’s report cards or medical records which are here in Aiken. Hiring a local lawyer makes sense. We have an easier time going out to a medical building to obtain records or visiting your home with an appraiser. 

When you work with a local lawyer, you can reduce the costs of your representation. An out-of-state lawyer, or even one out of town, might bill you for travel time to come to South Carolian, which really adds up. 

Convenience 

A local lawyer is much more convenient. You can stop in to talk about an issue or share documents and other evidence. When a lawyer lives far away, you can only meet by making a phone call. 

Your lawyer is not a therapist, so there’s no reason to come in every week to chat. But a local lawyer can more easily handle a deposition, for example, without needing to travel. Your local lawyer can also more easily discuss divorce settlement negotiations if you are in the thick of hammering out an agreement with your soon-to-be ex. 

Your Attorney Has a Local Reputation (It Matters!) 

Your lawyer’s reputation can give you an edge in a family law dispute. A lawyer with an excellent track record will appear more credible to a judge in court. By contrast, your out-of-state attorney might be excellent, but no judge in South Carolina has ever heard of them. The judge might be skeptical of the lawyer’s skills. 

Reputation matters when it comes to dealing with opposing counsel. They will take into consideration your lawyer’s reputation. At Surasky Law, we have developed a reputation for tough-but-fair advocacy. We believe in vigorously protecting our clients’ rights in various family law disputes, including child custody and divorce. For this reason, opposing counsel knows they can’t pull any tricks on us, because we will call them out to the judge. 

They also know they can trust us when we make promises. That type of credibility matters when it comes to negotiating child support, alimony, or child custody. 

We Have Experience Serving as Local Counsel 

When people use an out-of-state attorney, this lawyer usually partners with local counsel, who can file papers at the courthouse. Why not just hire a local lawyer for your family law dispute? 

We have served as local counsel for many out-of-state attorneys. We can also handle your case and stay in contact with anyone who lives out of state. You might have moved to Florida or Michigan when you separated from your spouse. We are happy to help. We can stay in contact via text, email, and Zoom. 

Talk with an Experienced Family Law Attorney 

Do you see a family law dispute on the horizon? It might be time to consult an attorney. Our Aiken family law attorney has tackled all sorts of disputes, including child custody, paternity, and divorce. Let’s get together to discuss where things stand. It’s never too soon to talk with a lawyer about your legal options in a free consultation. We can meet in person or reach out by phone.