Out of curiosity, does your law school give you an education that would permit you to pass any bar equally, or does it emphasize your state's bar? I think one of the reasons family law is so misunderstood is because each state is quite different, some drastically so.
Our school tries to cover things both generally and specifically. The family law prof I had actually lived and practiced in a variety of states he was in Texas and Missouri I remember for sure so we covered a lot of cases from there. We also did a lot of New England and Nevada cases. Las Vegas marriage is a big deal lol.
It's absolutely true that family law is different from state to state and that was what made that class such a chore. It was a lot of work but in the end you come out having a good understanding of how different things work in the different states. We spent, I thought, more time than necessary on common law marriage because it is going out of favor and so doesn't come up all that much. But knowing the history behind a law and how it develops is pretty important. In the family law arena case law is SO important. Of course statute comes first but family court judges have almost a ridiculous amount of leeway to decide what authorities they go by and they are more easily persuaded than many other court judges.
I think family law is misunderstood also because people only really care about it when they get taken to court. And those are unhappy people. It usually involves divorce and custody and those people HATE each other. It is just something most people react really negatively to. And I think that area of the law is the place where justice really get screwy. I don't know anyone who really thinks they got the best deal out of a family law case. I mean even Piotyr's friends wife probably feels she got screwed somehow. It should be called Delusion Court.
Also, I'm curious to know if you think family law is complex enough that one should go to a family lawyer as opposed to a general practice for family law issues? I wouldn't go to my general doctor for cancer treatment, although he could certainly speak of it generally, I'd want to see someone who specializes. Is it the same for areas of law, and in particular family law?
There are only two specialties in law: patent law and maritime law. Those actually have their own tests and everything. You could go to a general law attorney for family law stuff but I would make sure they have a lot of experience with it. I would personally want someone who has made it the main focus of his/her practice. You do not want to go to a lawyer for a divorce case who hasn't at least been a second chair on one before. There is a lot that goes into a divorce. And custody, I would want someone who has experience with custody and ideally has worked before that judge before. I can't emphasize enough how important getting along with a judge is in family law cases. Obviously it is in all cases but specifically family law.
