How family law gets practiced has undergone some dramatic changes in recent years, thanks to advances in technology. These changes aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, meaning those who want to stay ahead of the curve need to be proactive in learning about and utilizing new technologies.
What used to be a labor-intensive, paper-based process has been streamlined and made more efficient thanks to new technologies. So, how can you ensure you’re taking advantage of these technologies?
Here are a few ways technology can help you maximize access to family law:
Utilize online court forms and filings.
One way to save time and make the family law process more efficient is to take advantage of online court forms and filings. You can find these forms on the websites of most state and local courts.
This innovation can be a huge time-saver, as you won’t have to waste time driving to the courthouse or waiting in line to file paperwork. Plus, you can often get your forms filed more quickly online than in person.
So, take advantage of your state or local court offers online filing. In doing so, you’ll be able to save time and get a jump start on your family law case.
Take advantage of e-discovery tools.
Another way technology can help you in family law is through e-discovery tools. E-discovery refers to using electronic data to aid in the discovery phase of litigation. It can include emails, text messages, social media posts, and more.
E-discovery tools can help you find evidence that you might not have been able to find. They can also help you save time and money by eliminating hiring an outside firm to conduct a paper search.
In family law, e-discovery can be especially helpful in child custody and visitation cases. For example, suppose you have text messages or social media posts that show your ex is an unfit parent. In that case, those messages can be used as evidence in court. E-discovery tools are also valuable for divorce cases. Suppose you suspect your spouse is hiding assets. In that case, you can use e-discovery to find financial records or communications that prove your case.
When you’re involved in a family law case, take advantage of e-discovery tools. They can help you save time and money, and they might give you the evidence you need to win your case.
Use virtual consultations.
Sometimes, life can be hectic, and you might not have time to travel for a consultation. That’s why many family law firms now offer virtual consultations. You can meet with your lawyer via video chat or phone call with a virtual consultation. It is a convenient way to get the necessary information without taking time out of your busy schedule.
Another way virtual meetings can be helpful is to provide a safe environment for your child. In many child custody cases, your little one may need to attend a meeting with the other parent. Taking your child to court could be stressful, but with a virtual meeting, he or she can participate in the comfort of your own home.
A virtual consultation with an experienced child custody lawyer can help you avoid putting your child in a potentially contentious and dangerous situation. This way, you can keep your child safe and prevent unnecessary stress.
Apply technology to stay organized.
Family law cases can be complex and involve a lot of paperwork. It’s crucial to stay organized throughout the process to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
A great way to stay organized is to create a folder for your case on your computer. Within that folder, create subfolders for each stage of your case. For example, you might have a “discovery” folder, a “trial” folder, and a “settlement” folder.
Within each of those folders, create subfolders for each type of document. So, your “discovery” folder might have subfolders for “depositions,” “interrogatories,” and “requests for production.”
Organizing your documents will help you keep track of everything in your case. It will also make it easy to find the documents you need when you need them. So when your lawyer asks for your deposition transcript from six months ago, you’ll know exactly where to find it.
Technology can be a great asset in family law. You can save time, money, and stress by using the above tools. You can also get a jump start on your case and give yourself a better chance of success. This way, you can focus on what’s really important: your family.