Child custody disputes require solid legal representation. Anyone can start a custody case, but not everyone can win it. It takes knowledge and experience to fight for a favorable outcome. Child custody cases are tough and highly contested. It’s easy for things to get ugly – and even easier for you to be taken advantage of. For example, what if the court requires you to pay child support even though your former lover makes over six figures per year?
Child custody lawyers at Jensen Family Law will help you achieve your goals and make favorable decisions regarding parenting time and custody during divorce. Read to learn if you need a lawyer for child custody.
Is a Lawyer Necessary for Child Custody?
An attempt to represent yourself in a contentious child custody dispute could put you at a disadvantage if the other parent has hired an attorney.
Most family law attorneys will tell you not to represent yourself in your case. It is because family law cases are complicated and can get messy quickly. In addition to the emotional toll of divorce or custody disputes, these cases are time-consuming and expensive to litigate.
A lawyer will guide you through getting divorced or resolving custody issues so that you can focus on other parts of your life. It’s best to have an experienced attorney who can navigate these cases successfully.
What If You Represent Yourself In a Child Custody Case?
The biggest pro of representing yourself in a child custody case is that you can save money. Legal fees can be astronomical, and many find they don’t have the money to pay an attorney for their services. In most cases, child custody attorneys charge flat fees or hourly rates. It is common to expect a flat fee of between $3,000 and $20,000 for a child custody matter.
It may be beneficial for your case if you have the means to hire an attorney. However, it may be better to proceed without representation if you are low on funds or don’t have the money available to pay for legal services
Here are some of the cons of representing yourself in a child custody case:
- You won’t get the best outcome for yourself and your children. A child custody attorney will help you in court with any questions or concerns about the case, including what kind of evidence is necessary for a positive outcome.
- You won’t know how to proceed if something unexpected happens during your case.
- You won’t present your best arguments because you won’t know what those arguments are or how to present them properly.
- You’ll have a harder time developing a strategy for how you want to approach the case. Attorneys help you devise a plan of action and prepare everything necessary for the court hearing, such as witness statements, evidence, and more.
What Happens If a Lawyer Represents You In a Child Custody Case?
Your rights as a parent are being threatened, and you need to take action. You can’t let things happen because if you do, you may lose your child for good.
You have options! And the first thing you need to do is consult a child custody lawyer who can help you navigate. Your lawyer will guide you in creating an effective strategy that will ensure your rights as a parent are protected.
When working with an experienced lawyer, you can expect the following:
- Know all of the laws in your state, including what factors judges consider when making determinations.
- Know how judges tend to rule in different situations, so you can ensure you have the best chance of winning.
- Helps you prepare a strong argument for why you should have sole or joint custody or why joint custody should be modified.
- A child custody lawyer advises you on what types of evidence would be most helpful in convincing the judge that they should grant your request for sole or joint custody of your children.
- Strengthens your case by finding evidence that supports your position, collecting information about your spouse’s behavior and history, and investigating witnesses’ credibility and motives.
- Advises you on how best to present yourself in court so that you appear a calm, reasonable person who can make decisions based on what is best for the kids.
- Helps you understand your legal options.
Situations a Child Custody Lawyer is Necessary
When you’re looking for a custody attorney, there are many situations where you’ll need to find someone who can help. Here are some of the common ones:
- Power imbalance.
- Planning to remarry.
- History of violence or abuse.
- Alcoholism, drug abuse, or substance abuse issues.
You are free to decide whether you need a lawyer or not or what type of legal advice you want to seek. Seeking family law advice from a qualified and experienced lawyer is your best action if you want to know your options and move through the court system with legal clarity.
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