Tips For Choosing And Hiring A Child Custody Attorney
Pursuing a legal custody agreement for your child is not always easy, but it can be a lot easier with a good child custody attorney by your side. So, how do you know which child custody attorney to hire? How do you pick a certain attorney from the many options in your city? Here are a few tips that can help you in this regard.
Look closely at their experience
Child custody attorneys fall under a bigger umbrella of family law attorneys. If someone has experience in family law, you might assume that they have lots of experience in child custody, but that's not always the case. There are family law attorneys who have mostly worked on divorce and adoption cases and may have little experience with child custody. So, before hiring an attorney, make sure you look closely at their record for previous experience in child custody cases specifically.
Check what counties they routinely practice in
In most states, child custody cases are heard at the county level. Child custody attorneys tend to practice predominantly in one county. This does not mean they cannot practice in other counties; they can if they wish to do so. However, an attorney who routinely practices in your specific county will know the judges and authorities in that county better. This will make them better able to predict how your case will go and better able to argue on your behalf. Look for an attorney who does the majority of their work in the county where your case will be heard.
Meet in person
Child custody cases are highly personal. You want to work with an attorney who you feel comfortable around, and whose personality is compatible with your own. This is easiest to assess in person. Meet with each attorney you're considering, and talk to them about the basics of your case. This way you will get an opportunity to assess how each lawyer would handle your case. Plus, you can see which attorney you naturally feel the most comfortable and at ease around. Just because someone's personality does not mesh with your own does not mean they're a bad child custody lawyer. They may just not be the right lawyer for you.
With the tips above, you can choose a child custody lawyer who will better support your own interests and guide you through the court proceedings. This can be a long road, but the right lawyer will help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Contact a local child custody attorney to learn more.