Divorce can be an extremely scary and traumatic time in any persons life. Emotions can flare and the process can leave you feeling desperate. These feelings can be amplified when children are part of the proceeding. If you decide that your spouse is no longer fit to care for you or to care for your children, or, even worse, you are unexpectedly handed divorce papers, than you are going to want to seek out a lawyer that specializes in these sorts of cases. It is important to seek out representation from a team that specializes in child custody because the processes for different types of law can be very different. An attorney for child custody will know the best course of action to get you the best settlement for your case. A divorce case that involves your whole family is a much more serious case than just dividing up your belongings and the settlement can become much more weighty, for this reason we have gathered a list of tips and tricks to help you find a great attorney for your child custody case.
Look for Recommendations
If you or your spouse is considering filing for divorce then you should immediately begin by searching for an attorney that fits all of your needs. If you have no idea where to start looking, ask some of your friends or family for recommendations. If you do not know anyone who has needed an attorney for child custody then you can ask the court. Some courts maintain a record of lawyers and will be able to give you a recommendation. You need to find a legal team who is capable of assisting you through your divorce and helping you with the reallocation of both of your assets.
Be Honest, Tell Them Everything
Each and every divorce case is very different and should be overseen by someone who is able and willing to listen to all of the facts, variables, and concerns and to carefully tailor them to you in order to make sure that the most fair and amicable outcome is reached. Proper preparation is key, and a skilled representative can help you to get through the divorce process with as little stress as possible. Honesty is going to be extremely important to make sure your lawyer can help you get the best settlement possible. Make sure to be open and vulnerable with your attorney, do not withhold anything. This is especially important if there is a history of violence or abuse. Many times in cases where one individual has been victimized by the other, be that through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse or any form of child abuse, the victim often is so afraid that they never speak up during the case for fear of further abuse. If you are able to share with your legal team these intimate details of your life they will be able to not only help you to be safe, but also get a better settlement and potentially work “Pro Bono”, or, for free. Many states require their lawyers do a number of cases Pro Bono and legal aid is very likely to represent you for free if there is a history of violence in your relationship.
Interview Before You Hire
When you believe you have found a lawyer to represent you, or have at least narrowed it down to a few prospective legal teams you should conduct an interview. Do not just go with the first guy you find or commercial you hear. Find a time to meet with any lawyer before your hire them. You might want to know a few things about them like: how long have they practiced? How many custody cases like yours have they handled? What does your representation look like? What is your opinion of my case? How much will your representation cost? Is there any financial assistance available? There are many questions you may have and this will be the best time to have them answered.
Find Someone Who Specializes in What You Need
There are many reasons to choose a lawyer who specializes in what you need. Because they are a specialist they may be slightly more expensive than a more general lawyer, but they will be much better and you will be more likely to get what you hope for in your case. The best attorney for child custody for you will be the one which has an in-depth knowledge of the rules and laws where you live. In South Florida, it would make sense to hire a lawyer who has a specialized knowledge of the ins and outs of Florida law and how to use this knowledge for a positive outcome.
Many factors affect a custody hearing and can factor into every step of the process of looking for your legal representative. When divorce is on the table and your right to your children is as stake it is okay to be fearful and upset, but it is important to also begin looking for legal representation. A skilled lawyer is going to be able to help you to get through and to get out of this difficult season of your life. As soon as you realize that separation is imminent, it is imperative that you start searching for recommendations. When you have narrowed it down to just a few then you should begin an interview process, this interview does not have to be lengthy or even formal, but this is a great opportunity to have any of your questions or concerns answered. Remember, it is very important to be open and vulnerable with your lawyer and to tell them all the aspects of your life relating to the divorce and custody hearing. There is no reason to be unprepared and with only a little bit of work on your part you can feel secure in your ability to receive a settlement that you can be happy with.
