Law Office of Raunak Kothari

CONSULTATIONS & SECOND OPINIONS

Although I am not accepting new clients at this time, I continue to offer flat-rate consultations and second opinions about family law matters. My consultations are designed to help you evaluate problems, solutions, risks, practical options, and next steps with clarity, before you take any action.

To schedule a consultation, email consults@kotharilaw.com.

WHEN CONSULTATIONS ARE MOST USEFUL

Consultations are particularly helpful when you are:

First deciding how to proceed with separation or litigation
First served with legal papers by a spouse or co-parent
Considering a change in counsel
Evaluating strategy before a significant filing or court appearance
Addressing enforcement or modification issues

COMMON EARLY MISTAKES

Certain early decisions in family law cases have outsized consequences that can end up being devastating and irreversible. The two most common early mistakes are taking legal steps based on advice received at free consultations and hiring an attorney without consulting other attorneys. Another common early mistake is equating confidence and optimism with competence or genuine client focus.

Avoiding these errors as early as possible can materially affect how a case unfolds.

A NOTE ABOUT FREE CONSULTATIONS

In family law, free consultations often signal an intake and onboarding business model rather than an advice-driven practice focused on helping clients understand options and set expectations. Because family law attorneys are compensated based on time and are potentially liable for the advice they give, experienced practitioners rarely provide substantive legal analysis without charge. While free consultations are normal and to be expected in certain fields of law, free consultations from family law attorneys should generally be approached with caution.

Few decisions are more damaging to a case than selecting a charming attorney who tells potential clients at free consultations what they want to hear, only to later change their tune after failing to deliver the promised results.

When the interests at stake are important, avoiding irreversible errors matters far more than minimizing one-time consultation expenses. Paying for advice from a seasoned attorney who will spend the time necessary to understand your situation and provide tailored advice accordingly is a critical first step.

SECOND OPINIONS

Whether you are first hiring an attorney or considering a change in counsel, seeking the advice of multiple attorneys is one of the most effective ways to protect your interests.

A second opinion is generally a consultation with a different attorney after representation has already begun. Second opinions focus on the procedural posture of a case, the rulings and determinations that have already been made, and the validity of the legal strategy that has been pursued.

Second opinions can help identify:

Strategic blind spots
Unrecognized risks
Alternative procedural or settlement paths

As a general rule, legal advice is most valuable before options narrow and positions harden. Therefore, the earlier a second opinion is sought, the more effective it can be.

After working with challenging family law cases for over two decades, I firmly believe anyone litigating a difficult or drawn-out family law case should seek out multiple professional perspectives. Although there is a cost involved, it is minimal compared to the costs of proceeding in the wrong direction with the wrong guidance.

To schedule a consultation or second opinion, email consults@kotharilaw.com.