Family Law: Guiding Clients Through Life’s Most Personal Challenges

Family law is probably one of the most personal areas of legal practice. It deals with changing relationships and the impact of the same on people’s lives. For many clients, working with a family lawyer is not just about resolving a legal matter; it is about finding a path forward during one of the most challenging times they will ever face.

When I tell people I practice family law, they often recognize that my work involves issues like divorce, custody, and alimony. Some assume I also handle wills, trusts, or elder law. While those areas are connected to families, they are generally outside the scope of a family lawyer’s day-to-day work.

Now that I serve as Chair of the ABA Family Law Section, I have been reflecting more on what it means to practice in this area, and how we can improve the system so it is easier to navigate and more accessible for those who need it.

Practicing family law means being trusted with the most personal details of a client’s life. Clients often share information with us that they have not shared with anyone else, including close friends or family members. For some, we may be the first, and sometimes the only, lawyer with whom they will ever work. We help parents gain access to their children, guide clients through the division of assets and debts, and ensure parties receive the financial support they need to move forward.

A large part of the work involves counseling. We are not mental health professionals, but we spend significant time helping clients manage uncertainty and make sound decisions in the midst of emotional upheaval. Divorce and custody disputes often involve people who still have deep ties to one another, and they need to learn how to relate to each other in a new way, especially when children are involved. Our role is to be the steady voice that helps them navigate the legal process and helps them focus on and learn how to manage their evolving personal situation.

When we are not speaking directly with clients, we are working with opposing counsel, negotiating agreements, and seeking resolutions. We must be skilled both as negotiators and as litigators. When settlement is not possible, we must be prepared to shift our focus to advocating zealously for our clients in court.

Family lawyers also draw on knowledge from many other areas of law. A single case might touch on real estate, tax, business law, bankruptcy, or estate planning. Even when we do not handle those matters directly, we must understand how they intersect with our cases so we can develop strategies that address all aspects of a client’s situation.

Some lawyers comment that they could never practice family law. They point to the emotional intensity or the challenges of working with clients during such difficult times. This is not an area of law for everyone. It requires the ability to stay strong when clients are at their most vulnerable and to have the courage and wherewithal to help them make decisions that will affect their futures and the futures of their children.

Practicing family law is challenging work, but it is also deeply rewarding. There is great satisfaction in helping someone move from a place of uncertainty and fear to a place of stability and hope.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law

Q: What is family law?
A: Family law is a highly personal area of legal practice that focuses on changing relationships and their impact on individuals’ lives. It helps clients navigate challenging times and find a path forward.

Q: What specific issues does a family lawyer typically handle?
A: Family lawyers commonly handle issues such as divorce, child custody, and alimony.

Q: Does family law include wills, trusts, or elder law?
A: While these areas are connected to families, they are generally outside the day-to-day scope of a family lawyer’s work.

Q: What is the role of a family lawyer in negotiations and litigation?
A: Family lawyers work with opposing counsel, negotiate agreements, and seek resolutions. They must be skilled as both negotiators and litigators, prepared to advocate zealously for their clients in court when settlement is not possible.

Q: Is practicing family law rewarding?
A: Yes, despite being challenging, practicing family law is deeply rewarding, offering great satisfaction in helping clients move from uncertainty and fear to stability and hope.

With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Jennifer Brandt’s practice includes all aspects of family law including divorce, custody, support, alimony, adoption, and guardianship matters in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In addition to family law litigation, she also negotiates prenuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements on behalf of clients. In addition to her busy practice, she’s a well-known legal commentator on national news networks including CNN, CNN Headline News, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, ABC News, Court TV and local and regional television and radio.

If you have a family law issue or would like her to speak about legal issues, you can connect with Ms. Brandt at www.cozen.com.