How to Make the Most of an Initial Consultation with a Family Law Attorney in OC California

Most attorneys offer an initial consultation either free of charge or at a discounted price before a client actually retains the lawyer. The main idea of this initial consultation is to allow the client to get to know the lawyer and his or her practices and expenses, and for the attorney to get to know the client, his or her case, and what the client may be looking for in a lawyer.

Because you will likely only get one initial consultation with your lawyer, it is important that you have an idea of what to discuss beforehand so that you can make the most of your initial consultation with a potential family lawyer.

The goal of a consultation is for both you and the attorney to decide whether or not you want to work together throughout your case. Remember that anything you discuss with an attorney in an initial consultation is confidential, and the more honest you are with your lawyer, the better understanding of your case he or she will have.

Be Prepared for your Free Consultation with the family law lawyer

Be Prepared - Do not be afraid to take notes, especially with the key points

Do a little research prior to your consultation. You might want to look up the lawyer online, whether you use a search engine, social media, or look for the attorney’s website. It’s a good idea to find a family lawyer who has experience in the kind of law that relates to your case. For example, if you are trying to modify a child custody agreement, look for an attorney who has experience in child custody and the modification of court orders. If you are considering a divorce, look for an attorney who has experience in divorce and alternative dispute resolution.

It is also important to prepare yourself emotionally. If you choose to hire this family lawyer, he or she will be helping you through one of the most stressful and personal times of your life, so you will need to be comfortable sharing personal details. The more that you are comfortable sharing with your attorney in a consultation, the more accurately the attorney will be able to evaluate your case.

You should have an idea of what you want for your case, so that when you discuss it with your lawyer, you can ask questions about your options. Be honest with yourself and your lawyer so that he or she can provide you with an accurate potential game plan.

Know Your Budget before you retain a family law attorney in OC

Know Your Budget before you retain and take the time to read the retainer before you sign it! Know exactly what you are retaining the attorney for...

One of the things that you and a divorce lawyer will discuss during your initial consultation is the cost of hiring that lawyer for your case and the types of payment that the attorney will accept. If you have a limited budget, or if you want to work out a payment plan with your lawyer, the initial consultation is the time to bring that up. The right attorney for you will be willing to work within your budget and to work out a financial plan that is beneficial for you both.

Discuss Your Case in detail with your family lawyer

The more that you can share with a family lawyer in the initial consultation, the more you will get out of the initial consultation. If you have any existing legal documents related to your case, bring them with you. This can be an existing child custody order, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, a temporary restraining order, or any legal documents that might help the attorney get an idea of what your case entails.

Prepare your questions to make the best of the free consultation with the family attorney

The more research you can do beforehand, the better prepared you might be. Think of how you see your case going, and any issues you think might come up.

• Ask the attorney how he or she sees your case playing out.
• Ask the lawyer if he or she has handled cases similar to yours in the past.
• Continue by asking how those cases turned out.
• Ask the lawyer if he or she would have done anything differently with his previous cases.
• Ask the lawyer to clarify anything that he or she says in legalese.
• Ask the attorney what your options are.
• Ask the attorney how he or she would handle your case if you choose to move forward.
• Ask about the attorney’s professional and education background.
• Ask whether you will be dealing with the attorney throughout your case or if you will be dealing with paralegals and assistance.
• Ask about the attorney’s fees and payment options, and whether he or she will work within your budget.

It is critical that the lawyer answers your questions thoroughly and even better if the lawyer asks you if you have any questions. It may be important for him or her to discuss billing and payment, but an attorney who does not take the time to clearly answer any questions you have does not care about you or your case. When it comes to family law, a caring attorney is one of your most valuable assets.

Take notes during your Initial Consultation with the attorney

Write down what the attorney says, especially if you are considering more than one family lawyer

Finish up by asking the lawyer whether there are any questions that you should have asked but didn’t. You should also make sure to take notes and write down what the attorney says, especially if you are considering more than one family lawyer to handle your case.

By the end of your initial consultation, both you and your lawyer should have an idea of whether you are comfortable working together on your case. Anything that you have discussed in your initial consultation is confidential, and if you were truly honest with the lawyer, you should have an understanding of how you and this attorney would work together on your case.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with an Orange County Family Law Attorney

If you are ready to discuss your family law case with a qualified family lawyer in California, contact Yanez & Associates today. Our experienced attorneys have experience in many areas of family law, from divorce to child custody to domestic violence, restraining orders and prenuptial agreements. We’re here to discuss your potential case in a free initial consultation - contact us today to schedule yours!

California Family Law

January 29, 2015

Bettina Yanez

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Bettina Yanez

Attorney Bettina Yanez is a recognized top Orange County Divorce & Family Law Attorney. She is Certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, as a Family Law Specialist, this means that she is skilled in the following areas of law, divorce, child custody, child support, child visitation, mediation, legal separation, modifications, restraining orders, paternity, prenuptial agreements, property division and all other matters that fall under California Family Law.

View all posts by: Bettina Yanez

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Customer Reviews

Bettina and her family law firm helped my mother-in-law with her divorce. It was extremely helpful that we were able to find her an attorney that was fluent in both English and Spanish.

I will recommend Bettina and her family law firm to my family and friends.
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Diego A Navarrete

2/11/2023

I would like to share the great experience I had with Sean Yanez. I needed to change my name on my birth certificate and had difficulty finding an attorney to assist me. After contacting Sean, he and his assistant Angelica took care of everything. I am very satisfied with them.
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Catherine Vade Bon Coeur

1/13/2023

A Divorce process i have been battling over 9 years was closed by this Law Firm within 9 months. I specifically say thank you to Patricia Santamaria who represented me through the process.
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Kurt Cledjo

9/28/2022
Sean and his team were incredibly helpful and made the process as seamless as possible. He was very straightforward and honest about everything and was always responding to my questions quickly. I can’t thank them enough for all the help they’ve provided. I’d recommend Sean and his team to anyone who would need a great team on their side.
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Joe

8/22/2022

I’m a very satisfied client. Atty Sean Yanez thank you for taking my case without any hesitation and by the way the most favorable charge retainer fee within OC. And to Atty Patricia Santamaria thank you so much for helping and guiding me throughout the process with my divorce and custody case. I was amazed for the quick and smooth proceedings. Thank you very much.
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annieLaine -h-

4/09/2022

I’m a very satisfied client. Atty Sean Yanez thank you for taking my case without any hesitation and by the way the most favorable charge retainer fee within OC. And to Atty Patricia Santamaria thank you so much for helping and guiding me throughout the process with my divorce and custody case. I was amazed for the quick and smooth proceedings. Thank you very much.
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Ggee - s -

4/09/2022
I’m a very satisfied client. Atty Sean Yanez thank you for taking my case without any hesitation and by the way the most favorable charge retainer fee within OC. And to Atty Patricia Santamaria thank you so much for helping and guiding me throughout the process with my divorce and custody case. I was amazed for the quick and smooth proceedings. Thank you very much.
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AC

4/09/2022

Customer service is awesome at this law firm. They answer immediately, which was quite helpful to me, and I would strongly recommend them.
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Henry Morton

3/16/2022

Attorney Yanez help me understand my divorce options; she is such a strong advocate to have in Orange County.!
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Ronan Rich

3/14/2022
she saved my marriage Mrs. Bettina Yanez advised that I tried all options before considering divorce and urged that I consult a marriage counselor. Other law companies I spoke with were solely concerned with getting me divorced, but she saved my marriage. I thank Mrs. Bettina Yanez and her legal team, and I highly recommend them to everyone.
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Darren Fryer

3/12/2022

Child Custody Investigation During a child custody investigation, I approached them for advice on fighting my ex-husband for custody, and they were truly generous with their time. Thank you.
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Milan Ahner

3/11/2022

Mrs. Yanez is an experienced attorney who is well-versed in divorce and family law and is the best in her field.
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Denny Marko

3/10/2022
I had a great experience with Yanez & Associates. They were very responsive and always had my best interest and fought for me until the end. We were able to settle out and had a good outcome.
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Roma Wilson

3/02/2022

Yanez was the best at getting things finalized in my divorce. She is such a strong advocate to have in a lawyer. I will definitely recommend her to anyone!
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Charlotte B.

2/06/2022

Mrs. Yanez is a very professional attorney. She is very versed in local and international law. She does a great job of letting you know your options and the best course of action to accomplish what needs to be done for whatever your situation is. I have used Yanez and Associates on multiple cases and have always been impressed with the professional care. If there is an important case regarding family law, Yanez and Associates is the only law firm I would recommend, they are the best.
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Ethan Remington

1/09/2022
Bettina is a good caring professional who delivers results. Driven to results and very ethical.
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Paloma Remington

1/09/2022

"I am truly thankful for the legal advice provided for my up coming divorce and child custody matters. The attorney was very patient and listened to my situation. You guys are the best. I will definitely contact you when I am ready, meanwhile I will refer you to my family and friends.
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Jacob Kelly

1/08/2022

"I am truly thankful for the legal advice provided for my up coming divorce and child custody matters. The attorney was very patient and listened to my situation. You guys are the best. I will definitely contact you when I am ready, meanwhile I will refer you to my family and friends.
"
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Dean Saliman

1/08/2022
Mrs. Yanez truly cares about the children and what is best for them. She is real knowledgeable and she and her staff will help you throughout your case. I highly recommend choosing Yanez & Associates.
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Jennifer McGonigle

10/10/2021

With much gratitude to Yanez & Associates Attorneys and Staff.
Mrs. Bettina Yanez, Mr. Peter Flanagan and Mr. Sean Yanez worked closely with our family through one of the most difficult and emotional domestic violence divorce. Our entire family suffered by one person's act of violence. Going through this kind of life changing trauma, you will need people of true compassion and willingness to fight to protect you in every possible way. Every dollar spent was more than worth the professionalism this legal firm brought to us. I strongly recommend Yanez & Associates for as an excellent Family Law Firm.

YS
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Yvette Salinas

8/19/2021

I appreciate everyone at Yanez & Associates. I was blessed to have wonderful attorneys who protected, worked hard and assured me that I came first in all their decision making. I went through a difficult abusive and domestic divorce and Yanez & Associates attorney's, staff and administration responded with respect and urgency to protect me and my family. I highly recommend Yanez & Associates for their values and legal services. Extremely knowledgeable and experienced in family law.
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Jessica Moreno

8/18/2021
After months of trying to find the right legal counsel that I could trust, I was graciously referred to Sean Yanez by a dear friend who highly recommended him and his firm. As a true skeptical person, I was a little apprehensive to speak with yet another "fast talking" attorney who wanted me to pay upfront for a consultation that may or may not answer my legal concerns, but to my pleasant surprise I found that Sean Yanez was the real deal with a heart. He not only gave me extremely valuable advice through his free consultation, but took the time to follow up right away with strategies I could apply to my legal matter right away. Also, instead of upselling me on his legal services, he was honest and straight-forward with giving me his recommendation without trying to take my money. He took the time to learn about my case before speaking with me and never had me repeat any information I already shared with his firm, he spoke to me with compassion and interest in my legal matter, and was extremely helpful at a time when all I had been used to was the exact opposite. Off the bat, Sean was sincere and full of knowledge that he shared openly without coming across as condescending or forceful. He was a breath of fresh air to speak with and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone who needs an attorney that they can trust. I would have never found Sean through reviews due to my past experiences, but I'm so glad that he was recommended to me by a friend. Please believe me when I say that you can trust Sean and his firm to handle your family law matters. They are timely, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and most importantly they treat people with compassion, dignity and respect without overcharging and under delivering --qualities that can be so difficult to find in attorneys. You will not be disappointed.
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Dira Johnson

6/11/2021

I called Yanez & Associates divorce & family law attorneys and scheduled a free consultation with Attorney Yanez few weeks ago. She was very polite and listened attentively and was very informative in her response. She seemed very well-informed in her field, intellectually quick and very assured. Just speaking to her made me feel strong and safe, which is a good sensation to get from an attorney. I would hire this law office just based on their kind conduct. I haven't officially met her due to covid, but I would highly recommend, to anyone looking for a Family Law Attorney.
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Danielle Ayers

3/17/2021

I didn't hire them but did an initial consult. Laura called me back on a weekend and set up the consultation. I was very impressed getting a call just minutes after submitting a request for help. Thank you for the time!
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Bradley Ella

3/08/2021
I scheduled a free consultation with this family law firm and they were really helpful. It indicates a lot to me when someone takes time to talk to you for a few minutes about your problem. Compassion is super important and this law firm has it. Thank you so much.
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Adrian Daniel

3/08/2021

I reside outside of California and was blindsided with a child custody matter that involved a temporary restraining order. Clearly this was a terrifying and strange spot to be in. From the very first contact with Yanez and her associates I was impressed with their attention to detail. I highly recommend them.
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maryann christensen

2/19/2021

I was in great need of the best family law attorneys to handle a child support matter. I contacted several family law firms. I then called an OC family law firm and spoke with Mrs. Yanez. She was very professional & knowledgeable about family law topics. She went over my case and she answered all my questions. She quoted a price and suggested I also interview other attorneys before making a decision. That made me feel good that she was not rushing me. Most importantly, thanks to attorney Yanez, I was able to recompose and cool off before proceeding.
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Sylvia Acevedo

2/14/2021
A little of our story,
My Husband and I hired on Mr Yanez & Associates to help us with a move away case from CA to CO for my step son who had primarily lived with us since he was 5 yrs old (he’s 11 now). His birth mother believed that with us moving away she should now have her turn in raising him and attempted to change the custody agreement. We were worried we’d lose the case and our son would have to stay behind and not be able to continue to grow up with his brothers since “courts tend to sway with the biological mothers” or so they say.
My husband and I were fortunate enough to have had met with Sean in person a few years prior and were able to get a feel for how we’d hope he’d handle our case. And thankfully we were right. Even with all the Covid 19 obstacles he did not falter. We wanted someone who would listen to our concerns, someone who would answer our questions (and trust me we had a lot!) but not just with what we wanted to hear but with facts, with honesty and sincerity even if it wasn’t the answer we wanted. We wanted someone who knew the ins and outs of the court system and how it all worked and would give us their honest opinion. He was always was a step and ahead and very strategic. He gave us play by play and being in a situation where the end result could possibly be loosing your child, having someone like Sean who was literally there fighting with us made all the difference.
Mr Yanez & Associates were always extremely timely with getting back to us quickly, we never felt out of the loop, we never felt as if we were in limbo waiting on responses or answers or what our next step should be. Their professionalism and knowledge in my opinion is bar none.
The end result is we now live in CO with my stepson, and thanks to Mr. Yanez & Associates, my husband and I can continue to watch our boys grow up together.
If you’re looking for an attorney for your case. Look no further!!
Sincerely,
a Wife & Boy Mom of 3
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Katherine Gallardo

1/29/2021

Attorney Yanez was a godsend. She assisted us with a very difficult custody situation. She gave great advise over the phone and took the time to listen and address my unique situation during these uncertain covid-19 times. She is kind, but a tough divorce attorney. If you want a clever, trustworthy and passionate attorney who cares and knows family law extremely well, I recommend this legal team.
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Amber Gunn

11/28/2020

Absolutely remarkable family attorneys. Yanez and his team are extremely knowledgeable and give great advice. They know family law! I spent days seeking family law firms before making a decision. This firm was able to help me. Thanks to Mr. Yanez, I'll be able to be spend more time with my son again. If you're looking for a family law attorney for Irvine or the general Orange County area who cares, who's reasonably priced and knows what he's doing, this law firm without a doubt is a must consult with. I highly recommend them.
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Donald Leske

11/21/2020

Orange, CA Leading Family Law Firm

Our Divorce & Family Law Firm is located in Orange County two blocks from the Family Law Courthouse. Our business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 6:00PM PST. However, we can be reached 24/7 by calling 1 (714) 971-8000. We offer a free 30 minute case evaluation with one of our family law attorneys. When calling after hours please indicate the best time for returning your call. If you prefer to email us, please use info@yanezlaw.com or use our mail-form here.

How to Make the Most of an Initial Consultation with a Family Law Attorney