As family is the most vital unit in the world, it is absolutely essential that when experiencing any issues within the family unit be it Separation, Divorce, or children issues including Child Custody, you choose the right lawyer to advise and assist you.
Legal Expertise in Dubai Family Law
With the vast number of Ex-pats living in Dubai, careful attention must be placed on ensuring that you seek advice from an appropriately knowledgeable and qualified lawyer. Credentials are important as this will provide information on the lawyer’s qualifications and their experience with International and Expatriate Divorce/family cases.
Seeking Recommendations
You may also seek recommendations from anyone who has used a lawyer to deal with their family matters. Recommendations can come by:
- Word of mouth which are the ones that often place the most emphasis on the individual characteristics of the lawyer.
- They can also come via testimonials which are linked to the profile of the professional. The testimonials will provide a feel of various traits of the lawyer.
Assessing Approachability
Another important consideration is the approachability of the lawyer. An initial introductory brief conversation will enable you to assess and ascertain whether the lawyer understands your needs and is able to assist you. It is the initial communication whether verbally or in person which can be the key to whether the lawyer is the right person for you / your case. Of course, there will be a number of lawyers for you to consider and choose from however, when determining which lawyer is best for you, you should take into account a number of pointers including :
- Availability
- Professionalism
- Legal knowledge
- Expertise
- Compassion
- Listening skills
- Responsiveness
- Ability to keep calm
Experience with International and Expatriate Divorce Cases
Dubai has a unique legal environment that brings together experts who not only have a wealth of knowledge in their specialist area of law but also a working understanding of the local laws in operation ie Sharia Law. A deep understanding of UAE family laws with knowledge of international laws will enable the lawyer to appreciate any issues you may face whilst living in the UAE.
More often than not, you may come across conversations whereby someone who is a therapist or a coach has assisted someone going through a divorce or knows someone who has gone through a divorce however, as we all know, we should not believe everything we hear or read and especially where the source is not legally qualified to be giving out such information.
Navigating Jurisdiction and Local Processes
An experienced family lawyer will appreciate and will be able to navigate you through areas such as jurisdiction and advise on the best outcome for you. They will also be able to guide you through the local processes including the Dubai Court System and provide a comparison to international family law aspects including the time for the case to be concluded and an estimate of likely costs for any legal action. An experienced lawyer will be trained in various ethics and will understand that a client should always be updated not only on legal matters but also time and costs in relation to the case. The lawyer should be available to discuss matters and provide options in order for you to be able to make an informed decision.
Key Areas of Family Law
Family law is always such a vast area therefore, when seeking the appropriate lawyer, you should ensure that they are able to address issues such as child custody, alimony, and division of assets in Dubai and across different legal systems. The lawyer should explain the importance of any action or advice in clear, consistent communication not only at the outset but throughout the process.
Instructing the Right Family Lawyer
Instructing an appropriate family lawyer is key for a client not only to ensure a favourable outcome but to retain an expert who is there to follow your instructions and protect your interests.
To conclude, you may want to determine the following when considering an appropriate expert to retain: their ability to listen to what you have to say; an understanding of your issues; their experience in the family law arena both abroad and in the UAE; similar cases which have been dealt with; whether suggestions are put forward as to a resolution and most importantly how you feel on your initial interaction with the expert.
Why Choose James Berry and Associates?
At James Berry and Associates, we pride ourselves on our reputation to provide the highest of client care along with over 20 years of international family law experience across all areas of family law including :
- Separation
- Divorce
- HNW cases
- Alimony
- Child custody
- Child abduction
- Adoption
- Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our expert family lawyers in Dubai and receive personalized legal guidance
Head of Family Law / Senior Consultant