Handing a divorce can be a messy affair. It is not always that the parties involved will solve the issues amicably. Things get even more complicated when kids are involved. That is why it is imperative that you’re looking for an attorney even if the odds could be in your favor. Such cases are likely to turn complicated pretty first and you’re better off having someone experienced by your side. There are some key considerations you should have in mind when searching for a child custody attorney and we’re going to highlight some of them.
Understand Your Case
Every case will be encompassed in family law. There will be a big difference between an attorney that is out to make money compared to one that genuinely cares about the welfare of the children. Even if you don’t intend to hire an attorney for the divorce, you should think about the children. Hiring an attorney will be in their best interest and there is nothing wrong with going through the process. That is why it is important to build a case with an attorney who cares and is not only concerned with what is at stake.
Experience
The only way you can guarantee that you’re working with the best lawyer is to look at their experience. Ideally, you should be looking for a lawyer that has worked on a similar case to yours. They will know what needs to be done to influence the outcome of the case in your favor. Don’t be shy to ask potential attorneys for relevant examples. This gives you an idea of the kind of service that you can get from the attorney.
Get a Local Attorney
Family law will vary from one jurisdiction to another. That is why you should be looking for a local attorney that has a thorough understanding of the local judicial system. The attorney should have a working knowledge of the laws that apply in your local jurisdiction. It will be tempting to gravitate towards attorneys that are based in big cities as opposed to someone local. This could be detrimental to your case as such an attorney might provide the attention to detail needed to win. There are child custody law guidelines that will need to be followed. These guidelines will not be the same in every state.
Set Your Budget
Even as you narrow down to the attorneys in your locality, you will need to have a budget in mind. As much as the child’s well being is of utmost importance, you will need to be realistic about the financial situation. You don’t want to go for an attorney that will leave you bankrupt once the case is done. Reach out to a couple of lawyers and compare their rates. You are likely to get someone that is affordable and has the right experience for the case. The law firm should have a breakdown of the fees so that you’re completely aware of what you’re paying for from the onset.
Schedule a Face-to-face Meeting
You will never know if the attorney is right for you and the case without meeting in person. Even if you’re busy with other things and you’re in the middle of the divorce, it is important to schedule a meeting with the potential attorney. The first consultation meeting will help in analyzing the case and you will have more than enough reason to work with the attorney. Be wary of an attorney that is only interested in impressing you and doesn’t understand the case.
People’s Skills
You don’t have to be best friends with the attorney for you to feel like they’re genuinely concerned about your plight. A good attorney should show empathy with your situation. Family practice is not the same as making an auto claim. The attorney will need to be emotionally invested in the case. This means they understand what you’re going through. The attorney should be kind, level-headed, and trustworthy.
Communication Skills
A good attorney will ensure that you’re informed about the proceedings of the case. It shouldn’t be hard to reach out to them in case you’d like something to be clarified. You can know about the communication skills when you first reach out to the lawyer. An attorney that offers prompt response will obviously be a good sign. It will be an obvious red flag when it takes more than a day to get to the attorney. Working with such a person is not recommended given the sensitive nature of child custody cases.
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My friend is wanting to hire a child custody attorney so that he can get to see his son more often because his ex-wife has him most of the time. You made a good point when you explained that it is a good idea to find someone who is concerned about the situation you are in. I’ll be sure to share this information with my friend so that he can find the right lawyer to work with.
It is helpful that you would mention that we should make a budget before we would hire an attorney. My wife and I have been talking about finding an attorney to help us with our case. My wife and I are trying to gain custody over her son, so it will be important for us to know that we are hiring the right one. To be sure of that, I will make a budget beforehand.