Public interest in AI has grown far faster than many expected. Karen Bishop, Head of Family Law at Palmers Solicitors, says this rising reliance on automated advice carries damaging risks for people dealing with sensitive family issues. 
According to a recent Ipsos study, nearly one in five people have used AI for advice on personal problems or issues.
The alarming statistic shows that a lot of people want quick guidance that makes a difficult situation feel manageable. AI tools currently provide this for them.
“I think it’s becoming almost second nature for people to turn to AI, especially platforms like ChatGPT, to answer their questions. Some people want an answer immediately, while others may not want to seek professional advice due to costs or anxieties,” said Karen.
She expressed her concern that while AI can provide quick answers, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the right ones.
“I’m not blind to the perks of these kinds of AI tools. I think they have their place in society and in the workplace in terms of automating workflows and helping with routine paperwork, but I don’t think they can be trusted to deliver the level of advice needed for legal matters.
“AI cannot understand the emotional background of a case or the details that shape decisions on children, finances or safety. At the end of the day, family matters come down to context.
“For instance, a short marriage with no children raises different questions from a long marriage with complex finances. A small change in someone’s circumstances can also alter the best course of action.”
Karen shared that Palmers often advises clients who have come to them after getting their initial guidance from AI tools, only to report that AI had left them even more confused than before.
“No online tool can see the pressures a family is under or how a child is coping. People often come to us with information they have gathered online that sounds plausible until we look closely at the facts.
“Once we do that, it becomes clear that the general guidance they relied on does not fit their situation at all.”
Incorrect or incomplete guidance can prompt people to miss filing deadlines, approach discussions the wrong way, follow incorrect procedures, or agree to terms that place them at a disadvantage.
Misinformation can also raise expectations that exceed the court’s limits. That tends to leave people feeling frustrated.
“I understand the urge to explore options in private before speaking to a solicitor. It feels safer and more convenient to look things up online.
“The trouble is that mistakes at the start are hard to fix. A short conversation with a solicitor at the start helps people understand what the law actually says and what their options are. There’s a reason the saying ‘it’s better to be safe than sorry’ is used so often.”
Kim Kardashian recently spoke with Vanity Fair about her decision to use ChatGPT while preparing for legal studies.
The tool produced confident answers that turned out to be wrong, ultimately leading her to fail some of her exams.
“I’m hoping that high-profile situations like this will show the public why people shouldn’t blindly trust what AI tells them. This applies to legal matters and to general guidance as well.
“At the moment, these tools collect information from across the internet. Some of it is out of date, and some of it comes from laws that do not apply in this country. I’ve even come across information taken from the platform that is just outright wrong.”
All’s Fair, Kim Kardashian’s latest venture into the acting world, has also attracted attention for its glossy portrayal of divorce law.
She stars as Allura Grant, a high-profile divorce lawyer and co-founder of an all-female law firm. The show leans into the drama of heated disputes, shifting loyalties and high-stakes breakups, while presenting a stylish, fast-paced version of legal practice.
Karen Bishop says the show highlights an important distinction between television and reality.
“Television condenses tension into dramatic moments. Real family cases usually unfold slowly and depend on careful preparation, trust and detailed understanding of people’s lives.
“Shows like this can be entertaining and bring attention to family law, but few of them reflect the day-to-day work or the emotional weight involved.”
Kim has mentioned in interviews that she admires family solicitors but could not see herself doing the work. Karen says that honesty reflects the reality of the role.
Family work requires judgment, patience and sensitivity, qualities that a quick online search or AI-generated answer cannot replace.
Palmers Solicitors urge anyone with legal enquiries to please seek advice from a qualified solicitor to reduce the risk of exposure to poor or incorrect guidance.
The Essex-based firm offers legal support to individuals and businesses across multiple areas, including Family, Corporate, Residential and Commercial Property, Criminal Defence and Wills and Probate.
For support with your legal matters, please contact out team.