Child custody matters can be challenging and stressful, considering they can have such a significant impact on your child and their future. However, having the support of a strong child custody lawyer can make all the difference, helping give you the peace of mind you need to get through to the end of your case. What exactly you should be looking for in a child custody lawyer is unique to you. However, there are certain details you should consider emphasizing, like the right knowledge and experience, and compassion.
How a Child Custody Lawyer Can Benefit Your Case
It is particularly helpful to understand the importance of having a lawyer on your side while you deal with a custody battle. A child custody lawyer can help get you through some of the toughest parts of your custody case, along with handling critical tasks. A child custody lawyer can help you with all of the following:
● Drafting and filing your lawsuit
● Developing a legal strategy
● Gathering evidence
● Building your case
● Helping you make decisions for your child’s benefit
● Representing you in court and at mediation
● Supporting you throughout your case
Because custody matters are so important, it’s essential to hire a lawyer you feel comfortable working with and sharing some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
What to Look for in a Child Custody Lawyer
Everyone has different traits and characteristics they look for when hiring an attorney. However, the following are some of the general details that help make a child custody lawyer great.
Knowledge and Experience
First and foremost, it’s crucial to work with a lawyer that has the right knowledge and experience handling child custody cases.
Not all lawyers are the same. While you could rely on a bankruptcy lawyer to handle your claim, you likely wouldn’t get the same results as working with a lawyer that’s familiar with the laws and procedures related to custody cases.
Having a lawyer that’s experienced with and passionate about handling custody matters is ideal.
Compassion
Child custody matters can easily take a toll on you mentally and emotionally. Therefore, it’s particularly helpful to have a lawyer that’s compassionate and kind during a challenging time. They can provide the support you need to get you through your case. While a child custody lawyer should be compassionate and patient, they should also know when to be aggressive to fiercely represent your best interests and those of your child.
Accessibility
It’s helpful to know you can count on your custody lawyer when you need them most. They should be accessible to you when you need reassurance, updates on your case, or questions answered. It is important to note, however, that lawyers are busy. Consequently, you cannot expect your attorney to be available to pick up every phone call or answer every email right
away. You could ask your lawyer their policy for returning phone calls and answering
emails. For example, many lawyers get back to clients within 48 hours.
Communication
Along the same lines of accessibility, you want to know you can communicate with your attorney openly. Also, your lawyer should be communicative about your case and anything related to it.
Aside from being communicative with you, you should also feel confident knowing your lawyer can communicate on your behalf. Whether it be the opposing party, other lawyers, or judges, your attorney should be able to successfully communicate with
others about your case, whether in or out of the courtroom.
Support System
No matter how amazing a lawyer may be, they can rarely work entirely on their own. Whether it be a legal secretary or paralegal, attorneys often have a support system to help keep them on track. This, in turn, benefits a lawyer’s clients, as they can work more
efficiently.
Asking the Right Questions – Determining Whether a Child Custody Lawyer is Right for You
One of the best ways to determine whether a particular child custody lawyer is right is to get to know the lawyer by asking questions. When you first meet a lawyer, that is your opportunity to speak and decide whether you could see yourself working with them on
your case.
Asking the right questions can help you decide whether the custody lawyer is the right fit for you and your case.
Below are some of the questions you may consider asking to get to know your lawyer, their opinions of your case, and what you could expect moving forward.
Questions About the Lawyer
If you’re interested in getting to know your lawyer better, you could consider asking any of the following:
● Where did you attend law school?
● Did you always know you wanted to practice family law?
● How many years have you been practicing family law?
● How many child custody matters have you handled throughout the years?
● If you weren’t practicing family law, what other area of law would you focus on?
Questions About Your Case
If you’re interested in learning the lawyer’s thoughts on your case, you could consider asking the following questions:
● What are your initial thoughts of my case?
● Have you handled cases like mine in the past?
● Do you think I have a chance of getting custody?
● What would your legal approach be with a case like this?
● How long do you think my case could take to resolve?
Questions About Expectations
Setting expectations is crucial. You can set them using the following questions:
● How do you charge for your services?
● How often can I expect communication from you?
● What is your policy on returning phone calls and answering emails?
Consider Working with an Unbundled Lawyer for Your Child Custody Matter
It’s never easy knowing exactly what you should be looking for in a custody lawyer. It can be helpful to have an idea of the details that matter most to you to help guide you in the right direction.
When you need legal help, consider hiring an unbundled lawyer. An unbundled lawyer not only helps you manage your child custody case, but they can also keep costs low, as you only pay for the services you need most. From minimal legal assistance to more extensive representation, an unbundled lawyer can do it all.
If you’re facing a child custody matter, and would like to learn more about the cost associated with hiring a custody lawyer, as well as some ways to save money see this article.
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