Pros and Cons of Becoming a Family Lawyer

Family lawyers assist clients with legal issues involving relationships. You'll need at least seven years of college to become a lawyer, and getting into law school can be tough. Practicing law can be lucrative, but you'll probably have to work hard for that money, and some of your earnings may go to paying for licensing fees and keeping up with your field. While becoming a family lawyer can be a good career option, it's important to weigh all the factors so you can make an informed decision.

Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Loyola University School of Law.

Career Information

Job Description

Family law attorneys help clients with divorces, guardianships, prenuptial agreements, adoptions, parental rights and custody. They may also advise clients on the financial and tax implications for these proceedings. Since this specialty often involves the creation and dissolution of relationships, family law attorneys may counsel clients on matters not strictly related to legal issues. The work can be emotional, both in happy and sad ways.

Family lawyers generally work at small law firms or boutiques that specialize in family law. A few large firms have family law divisions; these generally deal with the financial aspects of the proceedings. A few family lawyers work in legal aid or government settings. The job can require irregular and, often, long hours. You will primarily work in an office, but you may visit clients at their homes or in other settings. You'll also appear in court with your clients.

Job Outlook and Salary Information

The general economy has much to do with the demand for family lawyers, since people are more likely to defer discretionary legal matters during a recession. However, some proceedings, such as divorce, may increase during financial hardships. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that employment for all types of attorneys, including family lawyers, will increase by 13% from 2008-2018, about as fast as average for all occupations.

The BLS noted that the job market is highly competitive because of the large number of students graduating from law school each year. The median annual salary for attorneys of all types was $113, 000 in 2010, the BLS reported. Most attorneys made between $75, 000 and $165, 000.

What Are the Requirements?

You'll need an undergraduate degree to start a career in law, followed by three years of law school. There is no specific major for aspiring family lawyers, so it's best to take a multi-disciplinary approach and hone your verbal and written communications skills as well as your research and logical thinking abilities.

Getting into law school is extremely competitive. Your score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), your undergraduate GPA and your personal interviews with admissions representatives will all be taken into account. In law school, you'll study constitutional law, contracts, legal writing and civil procedure. Individuals looking to go into family law should choose courses that teach about the law and relationships, especially marriage and parental rights. After graduating from law school, you must pass a written bar exam in the state where you intend to practice. Each state has its own requirements, and some require more than one examination.

Source: diplomaguide.com