Want to speak with a family law attorney without stepping foot outside your home?
Thanks to technology, times have changed. Accessing legal services doesn’t mean taking off work, sitting in traffic, and sitting in a waiting room all day.
But there’s good news…
Family lawyers have made their services more accessible than ever before. Virtual consultations, client portals, AI technology—there are tons of ways to speak with an attorney these days.
And it’s not just good for clients. Attorneys benefit from these changes too.
Let’s take a look at how technology is making family law attorneys more accessible than ever.
Table of Contents
- Why Using Technology is Important for Family Law
- Virtual Legal Consultations Are Becoming More Common
- Client Portals 24/7 Access to Your Attorney
- Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Family Law Practices
- How Does This Benefit You?
Why Using Technology is Important for Family Law
Family law issues can be time-sensitive. They can also be emotional.
Divorce. Child custody. Support. These matters aren’t something you can typically put off while you schedule a morning, afternoon, or evening office visit.
This is where technology comes in handy.
Family law offices are utilizing technology to better serve their clients. Whether you’re seeking help from Arkansas Family Law Attorneys or elsewhere, technology is helping bridge the gap between lawyers and everyday people who need their services.
In fact, according to the American Bar Association, 73% of lawyers use some form of cloud-based tools in their practices. That allows for quicker communication, easier sharing of documents, and more streamlined client experiences.
But that’s just the beginning…
Virtual Legal Consultations Are Becoming More Common
Picture this.
You need to meet with a lawyer about a family matter. How do you arrange that meeting?
If you guessed “by visiting their office,” give yourself a pat on the back. That used to be the norm.
These days, however, virtual consultations are more popular than ever.
Family law clients can now meet with their attorney from the comfort of their own home (or living room, office, etc.). All you need is a stable internet connection.
You might be wondering:
How does this specifically help family law clients?
Think about it.
Divorce is messy. Child custody battles can be tense. Some clients may not feel comfortable discussing these matters in a public place. Virtual meetings provide privacy and accessibility that office visits can’t match.
Case in point: Smokeball recently reported that law firms using client case management platforms have seen 62% of their clients report higher levels of satisfaction with their firm. Virtual meetings contribute to this.
Virtual consultations allow for:
- Meeting with your attorney at odd hours
- No commute (meaning you save money on gas)
- Privacy
- Accessibility for clients with disabilities or childcare responsibilities
- Quick follow-up meetings without the added effort
Family law clients no longer have to fit attorney meetings into their busy schedules. They can speak with their attorney whenever it best suits them.
A single parent who works two jobs can schedule a consultation over their lunch break. Someone in a rural area can access high-quality legal services without driving hours to the nearest law office.
Client Portals: 24/7 Access to Your Attorney
Here’s something you may not know about most modern law firms.
They’re always open.
Virtual client portals have revolutionized the way attorneys and clients communicate with one another. Clients can access their case information, documents, and messages at anytime through a secure portal.
Think about how great that is.
You no longer need to schedule a meeting just to ask your attorney a question that popped up at 2 am. Want to provide your attorney with more documentation? Just upload it to your client portal. No need to mail it or wait for your next appointment.
Client portals used to be a “nice-to-have” for high-end corporate clients. Now they’re becoming the industry standard for family law firms.
Most client portals include:
- Secure document storage/sharing
- Real-time updates/case status
- Messaging capabilities
- Payment gateways
- Appointment calendars
Just like that, clients have 24/7 access to their case information. They can stay on top of things and don’t have to wonder what’s going on with their case.
Artificial Intelligence Is Improving Family Law Practices
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for big tech companies.
Lawyers are harnessing the power of AI to help streamline their businesses. And better serve their clients while doing it.
Here’s the cool part…
When lawyers can work more efficiently thanks to technology, they have more time to provide quality services to their clients. Family law clients spend less on overhead and benefit from more knowledgeable attorneys!
Lawyers use AI to do many things, including:
- Reviewing and drafting documents
- Legal research
- Client intake
- Scheduling
- Billing
When attorneys save time on admin, they can dedicate more time to you. Everyone benefits.
AI even helps with consultations. Some firms use automated intake applications that allow clients to input their information before speaking directly with an attorney. The attorney can review that data ahead of time and craft a more productive consultation.
Law firms big and small are starting to use AI tools. Onlywp reports that large law firms have between a 70-100% adoption rate of AI technologies. Small- to medium-sized firms fall around 37%.
That doesn’t mean solo practitioners aren’t using AI. They’re just as likely to use AI tools as well, they just typically operate on a smaller scale.
How Does This Benefit You?
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this:
Technology has removed the barrier between you and quality legal services.
Virtual consultations allow you to speak with a lawyer without leaving home. Client portals enable you to access your case information 24/7. AI technology allows lawyers to keep more money in your pocket.
Need to know something about your case outside of business hours? Check your client portal. Having a random question about your legal matter that you need answered immediately? Message your attorney through your portal.
Family law firms that use technology are here to make your life easier. Those that don’t aren’t taking your convenience into consideration.
When vetting family law attorneys, look for firms that offer:
- Virtual consultations
- Client portals
- Electronic signatures
- Payment plans
- Easy methods of communication
If they provide these services, they understand how important accessibility is to you.
Wrapping It All Up
Thanks to modern technology, it’s easier than ever to find and work with a family lawyer.
Not only do you not have to leave your home to meet with them, but you can also access your case information whenever you need. Lawyers have more time to devote to you and your case because of how efficient they can work with technology.
Everyone benefits when family lawyers use technology.
If you need legal help, look for family law attorneys that work with clients where they’re at. Whether that’s virtual consultations, client portals, or AI technology.
Take advantage of these resources. Your future self will thank you!
