As most people adapt to changes these days where the world is facing challenging times, from pandemics to the high cost of living, families are also experiencing difficult moments that can lead to breakups and other negative consequences. For example, marriage separations or marital conflicts are increasing daily. And as this happens, family lawyers help solve and find prompt solutions before things worsen. Therefore, if you have a passion for assisting people in finding solutions at times when marriage and family conflicts are negatively affecting them, becoming a family lawyer is a great career choice.
But still, to become an experienced family lawyer and have a great resume, you still need to undergo all the requirements others go through before succeeding in this career. An excellent way of doing so is practicing with or getting inspiration from a team of family attorneys. And while there are many law firms you can get inspiration from, firms like Jensen Family Law in Mesa, AZ, are better because they have experienced family attorneys that have served for a long with a record of winning cases and awards. In addition to mimicking what successful family lawyers do, let’s also look at other things you need to become a family lawyer.
The Academic Requirements
To become a family law attorney, you must complete a four-year bachelor’s degree and earn a Juris Doctor at a law school. Depending on your preferences, you can get your law degree by taking an undergraduate degree in general law or specializing and taking other preparatory courses that boost your credibility.
For example, if you decide to take undergraduate and other supportive courses, your studies will involve subjects such as history, economics, government, and English.
Next, you take your relevant law school examination or sit for the state bar association examination. If you sit for a bar exam, you will also need to pass the law school admission test administered by your law school or the state. After this, you can take voluntary or paid work to boost your experience with family law cases before you get a license to practice with others or independently.
Or, instead of volunteering or getting paid to work with a law firm or companies dealing with legal services on behalf of family attorneys or state matters regarding marriages and other family concerns, you can also gain experience by working as a clerk in a law firm.
The ultimate goal of taking paid work or volunteering is to earn enough experience and learn to deal with complex or simple family matters.
For example, as a secretary or clerk at a family law firm, you can begin by resolving less serious family conflicts like couple misunderstandings, child support, or child custody matters. Afterward, you can expand your knowledge and expertise by involving in challenging family matters, including divorces or conflicts regarding family estates and wills.
Types of Subjects You Need to Cover in and outside of Law School
Whether you study to earn a law degree, diploma, or certificate to become a family lawyer, the subjects to pay attention to and excel in and outside law school include the following.
Marital Property
Marital property refers to the assets or funds obtained during the marriage. During a divorce and when spouses share child custody responsibilities, the belongings and money acquired during their marriage union are evaluated and split between them.
But still, because divorces and child custody rights differ from state to state, you must comprehensively understand every law regarding marital property in your state or the place you’re handling the case before making the final decision.
For instance, you could rule that the spouse currently staying or taking care of the kids takes the house while the other goes with the family car or other assets.
Adoption Law and Mediation
Adoption law is a family law that helps couples to adopt children from their biological parents or child adoption centers. As a family lawyer, you will help couples adopt or give their children for adoption. Your work will involve ensuring the child’s welfare is in good hands and that all parties agree on the written and spoken terms.
On the other hand, mediation law involves resolving different types of family disputes. You can deal with disputes regarding family estates or wills.
Therefore, to become a family lawyer, you must attend a law school and earn academic credentials. Then, you can work or volunteer at a law firm to get the experience required before you get a license.