Use the official Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) register to check the solicitor’s name, firm, practising status and any conditions on their authorisation. Compare the register’s contact details with the firm’s website or correspondence, particularly if you have been contacted unexpectedly or asked to pay money. The Law Society’s Find a Solicitor service can also help you find firms with family law experience, although SRA regulation is the key check. If anything is unclear, contact the SRA directly or seek advice from another SRA-regulated solicitor before instructing them.