Sana Saddique is a qualified family specialist solicitor who runs her own family law firm in Birmingham. In this article Sana tells us about being a family lawyer, what it entails, what a typical day may look like and what it means to her. if you're considering becoming a family lawyer, this article is a great place to start.
What does a family lawyer do?
The role of a family lawyer involves advising and representing clients on a whole range of matters relating to family disputes. This can range from divorce to financial separation of assets, child arrangements disputes to international relocation, pre nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements and so much more. There is a common misconception that family law relates simply to just divorce work and that could not be further from the truth. On a daily basis, a family lawyer will be seeing clients and building personal connections, drafting documents and applications, providing advice, considering the best interests of a client whilst also taking into account longer term effects of financial division of assets and the needs of any children involved. Lawyers like myself will also often be representing clients in court and undertaking advocacy. The role is far reaching and varied.
Why did I end up becoming a family lawyer?
Becoming a family lawyer is a very important decision to make. You are dealing with clients often at the most vulnerable stages of their life, during family breakdowns, loss of access to their children or even, when assisting them in regards to allegations of harm being posed to a child. It is crucial to really connect with this type of work and appreciate that this area of law is very much hands on. It is not transactional and there is no where to hide behind the scenes. Your clients need you and often require time to meet you face to face or to talk over the phone as they feel anxious, afraid and sometimes even intimidated. For me, being a family lawyer is a way to help give a voice and a platform to those most in need. To ensure that even those going through the hardest of times in their life, have someone they can turn to for advice and who can protect their overall position so they are not taken advantage of or, disadvantaged by unfair settlements or arrangements following a marital breakdown.
What is a typical day for a family lawyer?
There's no ‘typical’ day as a family lawyer. The work is extremely varied and there's so much which falls under the umbrella of family law. On an average day I will be speaking to multiple different clients for appointments either face to face or via phone calls. I am often drafting statements and court applications, offering guidance on what a client should be focusing their thoughts on for example, the future potential needs of children or what financial resources may be required to ensure they have a stable future following a family breakdown. I also deal with international relocation matters so am often advising clients on the rules and requirements about taking children abroad. There has been a surge in pre nuptial agreements more recently and so I find myself drafting many agreements of this nature along with co-habitation agreements. The reality is, no two days will be the same and you often find that by 10am your ‘ to do list’ is out the window and needs adjusting as it is common to have emergency work/ court hearings come in which require you to re schedule your day. The work is fast paced and emotive but highly rewarding.
What other types of cases do you help with?
I cover work relating to: Divorce, financial separation of assets , child arrangements disputes, international relocation, pre nuptial agreements, post nuptial agreements, separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, change of name deeds for adult and children, domestic abuse, non molestation matters and much more.
Why would you recommend becoming a family lawyer?
Work as a family lawyer is intense. There’s no denying that. It’s highly pressured, fast paced, emotive and your clients really depend on you on a day to day basis. You are responsible for assisting them through some of the hardest times of their lives and the clients we deal with can often be vulnerable so they require time, commitment and a genuine passion and interest to help them. Despite the long hours, work load and needs of clients, the work is extremely rewarding. The skills you learn and develop through this area of work can equip you for solid future whilst also offering you a fulfilling career.
Working as a family lawyer, you can have a direct impact on people lives and you have the opportunity to really change someone’s future.
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