6 Things to Look For When Hiring a Child Custody Attorney

1 in every 2 marriages ends in divorce.

Many of these families include children. One of the hardest parts of going through a divorce is determining who gets custody of the children. This is why it's so important to hire an experienced child custody attorney.

But how do you choose the right one? Keep reading for 6 things to look for when hiring a lawyer for a child custody case.

Education

The first thing you should do when looking for a child custody attorney is to make sure the attorney you choose is licensed to practice in your state. Your attorney should have an undergraduate degree as well as a law degree. They should have passed the bar in your state and have a license to practice law there.

You should also inquire whether they have any sanctions against them or any issues with the state bar. The best lawyer for your case will be in good standing.

You might also ask about continuing education and how an attorney keeps up with the latest developments in the applicable legislation.

Experience

After education, experience is the number one thing to look for when you're hiring a child custody attorney.

When a lawyer is still in law school, they usually decide which area of law they want to practice. Child custody attorneys generally choose family law because they have a passion for helping parents struggling with child custody disputes. They then focus on this area of law and continue to grow and fine-tune their skills.

While you could technically hire an attorney who is licensed to practice in your state to represent you in a child custody case, you need an expert. The child custody attorney you choose should focus on child custody and family law cases. Nothing can replace first-hand experience going to court and handling cases like yours in your state.

Reviews

Reading reviews from current and former clients is one of the best ways to gauge any product or service and hiring an attorney is no exception.

When you're hiring an attorney, be sure to look online for reviews. You can learn a lot about what a child custody attorney accomplished with other clients.

If you know someone in person who has hired a child custody attorney, that's even better. Be sure to ask friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues that have gone through a divorce settlement who they hired and whether they would recommend the attorney. Remember that past success is a great indicator of future success.

Compatibility

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

You've probably heard this popular quote at some point. There's an important lesson to be learned from this sentiment, especially when you're hiring a lawyer.

How a potential child custody attorney makes you feel is incredibly important. Even if they seem like a good fit on paper, if they don't make you feel good about your choice, keep looking.

Some people just click better than others and if an attorney makes you feel uncomfortable or you see red flags, you should walk away. Going to court is stressful enough, the last thing you need is an attorney that you aren't compatible with.

Remember that your attorney should be doing everything they can to earn your business. If they leave you with a bitter taste before you've even taken legal action, they aren't the attorney for you.

Integrity

Child custody cases are delicate matters and the best child custody attorneys understand that. How an attorney acts will have an impact on a young life. This is why you should look for a child custody attorney with integrity in everything they do.

The best attorney will be honest, transparent, and act in good faith. When you meet with a potential lawyer, you can get an idea of whether they are honest and upfront.

It's important to remember that family law matters involve a lot of human emotions that should be taken into consideration. A divorce settlement and child custody agreement should be done fairly. This is the best way to avoid further trouble down the road and put unfair pressure on your children.

Your lawyer should help you set realistic goals that you will be able to achieve. Hiring a lawyer who is dishonest might help you get what you want immediately, but this strategy will backfire eventually. Choose a lawyer who is polite but honest and someone that you can trust has the best intentions for your child at heart.

Logistics

It's important to consider whether a child custody attorney has the time and resources to handle your case. Even if they check off all of your other boxes, if they can't be there when you need them, they aren't the best fit.

Accessibility is a key factor as is cost. When it comes to accessibility, your child custody attorney should be able and willing to take your calls and emails. They should also respond in a timely manner.

You have a right to good communication throughout your child custody case. When hiring an attorney, be sure to ask what you can expect as far as communication goes.

Who will be working on your case? How can you get in contact with them and when can you expect a response?

You should also make sure you are on the same page as your attorney about legal costs. The best attorneys understand the importance of child custody cases and set their prices fairly.

Do You Need a Child Custody Attorney?

Going through a divorce is hard. But you don't have to do it alone.

If you need a child custody attorney you can trust, we are here for you. We offer legal services at a price point you can afford.

Click here to contact us today to schedule a consultation with a child custody attorney.