How Do I Choose a Child Custody Lawyer?

A child custody case is extremely difficult for everyone involved. Breaking up a family is always a tough choice, but in some cases it is the right choice. It is best for everyone involved if the case is resolved swiftly and fairly; the best chance of such a resolution is to find the right child custody lawyer to handle the case. However, that is not always easy since there are going to be many child custody attorneys from which to choose.

Before you choose an attorney, you need to do the proper research to make sure that you trust them to put the interests of your family above anything else. If you live in the Farmington Hills area of Michigan, then you can trust that Ash and Ash Legal Group will have the welfare of your child as their highest priority.

Get References

The first step in choosing a child custody attorney is to talk to other people who have hired a child custody attorney. You should ask them how the lawyer handled their case, whether they would recommend that lawyer, and other similar questions. You can ask friends or family who have gone through a child custody case if they have any recommendations to give you.

If no one you know has gone through such a situation, then you can go to a court office and ask the clerks for a recommendation. Some courts maintain a network of attorneys and can help you choose one that may be right for you. You can also get referrals from the State Bar Association since they will be familiar with all of the attorneys who practice law in your state.

Conduct Your Own Research

Once you get a child custody lawyer recommendation or two, it is advised that you do your own research to get more details about them. That way you will get a better understanding if they are the one you need. You can find out more information from the attorney directory of your state since it will have relevant details about their history, their standing within the legal community, and whether they have ever had their licence suspended. You can also check online review sites to learn the opinions of people who have worked with that lawyer.

Ask The Lawyer The Right Questions

Once you have chosen a child custody attorney and decided to meet them in person, there are a few questions you need to ask them to determine if they are the right lawyer for you. These questions come under the following categories:

The Lawyer’s Background - Find out where they went to law school and how long they have been practicing the law. Ask them how much experience they have with cases like yours and how many child custody cases they handle each year. You should also ask them if they have any experience with mediation in child custody cases.

Their Legal Philosophy - These questions are about the way that the lawyer handles these kinds of cases. You should ask them how they approach child custody cases, which involves how they deal with clients. That means finding out if they will give you options that help you to make a decision, or if they will tell you what to do.

Their Assessment of Your Case - This is where you ask them what they think of your case. You should find out their initial opinion of your case and whether they think that it might go to trial. You should also ask them about the expected outcome of the case and if they are aware of any problems that may impact the proceedings. Ask them if they think that you will need to go to trial and how long it might take to resolve the case. Be sure to ask your child custody lawyer if arbitration or mediation are viable options.

How They Manage Your Case - You should find out how the lawyer intends to manage your case should you decide to retain them. Ask them if they will manage your case personally, or if you will be dealing with anyone besides them during the case. Learn if they will keep you updated as to what is going on in the case and if they will provide progress reports. Be sure to find out how you can contact them and how quickly they respond.

Your Legal Fees - You definitely need to find out how much the case will cost you before you settle on an attorney. Ask them what is their estimate of how much the case will cost, how often you will be billed, and when your payments are due. You should also ask them if they require a retainer fee and if there are other fees or expenses that you need to worry about.

Choose The Right Child Custody Attorney For You

Selecting a child custody lawyer can take a while, but the process is necessary if you want to find an attorney that you can afford, who will do a great job, and who will make the custody case as smooth and stress-free as they possibly can. That way you can get the custody case resolved as soon as possible so that you, and everyone involved, can get on with your lives.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.