Benefits of Hiring a California Certified Family Law Specialist

Many individuals going through a divorce choose to hire an attorney to represent them. However, choosing the right attorney can be a difficult and very selective process. Hiring a family law attorney who is also a California Certified Family Law Specialist, also known as a “CFLS”, can give you the extra boost of confidence to know that you are being represented by someone who has the proven experience and expertise to handle all aspects of your divorce.

A Certified Family Law Specialist is an attorney who has been certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization or an organization who has a certification program (whose requirements are equivalent to the State Bar’s program) that has been accredited by the State Bar. Despite an attorney’s number of years of legal experience, he/she is only allowed to advertise or identify himself/herself as a “specialist” after such certification as actually been obtained.  

In order to become a Certified Family Law Specialist an attorney must apply for such certification after demonstrating proficiency in the area of family law by completing the requisite experience and education in the field of family law. The attorney must have also taken and passed a written examination in the field of family law. This examination is similar to a one day bar examination but covers only family law related topics. After passing the specialist examination and becoming certified, Certified Family Law Specialists must continue to demonstrate a high level of experience and skill in the field of family law, fulfill the ongoing legal education requirements and be favorably evaluated by other attorneys/judges who are familiar with their work. This process is considered very rigorous and thus Certified Family Law Specialists may be few and far between. For a direct link to the State Bar of California’s website, which contains the formal requirements to become a certified family law specialist visit: http://rules.calbar.ca.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=8X1vLyj1V1w%3d&tabid=1149

Although selecting a divorce attorney can be a difficult task, the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization has made it easier for clients to get the assurance they need to know that their attorney is truly an expert in the realm of family law. With a Certified Family Law Specialist representing you, you can expect high standards of excellence, education and experience. You can rest assured that you will receive the assistance of a well-qualified attorney who is better trained and more experienced than most other non-certified family law attorneys.

If you are looking for an attorney who has both experience and expertise to handle various aspects of your divorce, hiring an attorney who is a California Certified Family Law Specialist is your best option. Please contact Nancy J. Bickford at (858) 793-8884 to schedule a consultation. Attorney Nancy J Bickford, Esq. is the only divorce lawyer in Del Mar representing clients, who is actively licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and is a Certified Family Law Specialist.