When it comes to handling property disputes, it’s best to not go it alone. Property lawyers in Melbourne exist to help clients navigate complex property issues as well as avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. However, finding a reputable property lawyer you can trust to handle your property dispute can be difficult. This article will provide four tips for finding the right property lawyer in Melbourne to fulfil your needs.
Tap into Your Network
Your trusted friends and family members can be your most valuable resource when it comes to searching for property lawyers in Melbourne. This is because your network can easily jumpstart the process, as it’s likely you already know somebody who has dealt with a property dispute in the past and subsequently enlisted the services of a property lawyer.
Experience levels and abilities of property lawyers can vary widely, so recommendations from people you know and trust could make a substantial difference to the outcome of your property dispute. Getting recommendations from your network is also a safe bet, as you can be sure your friends and family will have no vested interests in the firm or law professional they recommend.
Use Your State’s Law Directory Website
If you’re still having trouble finding suitable property lawyers in Melbourne after consulting with your network, another great tip is to use an online directory for law services in Victoria. The Law Institute of Victoria has a free web directory the public can use to locate lawyers across many disciplines.
The search results are usually compiled of lawyers who have agreed to see clients for up to 30 minutes free of charge on an initial consultation. Results can even be filtered by location, area of practice and preferred language. Online law directory services are an easy, cost-free way to streamline the process of finding property lawyers in Melbourne.
Cross-Reference Reviews & Testimonials
While reviews and customer testimonials of property lawyers in Melbourne can be useful in the decision making process, they really only offer a snapshot of one client’s experience and shouldn’t be considered in isolation. It’s important to cross-reference positive and negative experiences clients have had with any prospective lawyer you’re considering in order to gain the most accurate image of that lawyer’s strengths and weaknesses.
Use this composite of different experiences to inform your decision of which lawyer to hire, as you may discover that although a property lawyer has consistently glowing reviews, they may simply not be the right lawyer for your dispute due to a lack of experience with your specific issue.
Meet with Them
Once you’ve found a lawyer you feel confident about hiring, the best way to see if they’re a good fit for your dispute is to book an initial consultation with them. In most cases, a short introductory meeting usually won’t be charged, as it’s more a way for you and your prospective lawyer to gauge if you’re compatible on both a professional and personal level.
This cross-level compatibility can be important if your property dispute proceeds to the litigation stage. The process of litigation can be stressful, time-consuming and costly, so having the support of a law professional you feel comfortable with can make a world of difference.
