7 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Child Custody Attorney

According to statistics, Utah is among the top ten states with the highest divorce rates.

Divorce is almost never easy, and if you have children, it's very important to choose your child custody lawyer with care. A good child custody lawyer will protect the best interests of your child and help you navigate the legal process with ease.

A good child custody attorney also doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Not sure how to identify a good child custody lawyer for your legal case? Keep reading to find out 7 key questions you can ask that will help you identify the right attorney for your needs.

1. How Much Experience Do You Have With Family Law and Child Custody?

Having a positive outcome to your child custody case is essential. You want to make sure you hire an attorney who knows what they are doing.

Not one who has a minimum of experience.

Ideally, the child custody attorney you hire should have multiple years of experience specializing in family law. Not only should family law be their forte, but they should also have lots of experience with child custody cases, including ones similar to your unique situation.

Before you hire an attorney, ask how many years they have been practicing family law. How much experience do they have handling child custody cases specifically? Do they deal with them on a routine basis?

You should also ask them about their track record, success rate, and if they have any specialized certifications or recognition in child custody or family law.

2. Will You Personally Handle My Case?

It doesn't matter how much experience the child custody lawyer has; if they're not the ones who're going to handle your case, all of your questions will be for naught.

Are they handling the initial consultation only to pass your case along to a less experienced junior member? Or are they personally going to oversee your case?

Seasoned lawyers might have junior partners help them with some of the legwork. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It can help them focus on the core areas of the case.

But if you're led to believe that the senior partner is handling your case, they still need to personally oversee it, review all important documents, and handle critical interactions.

3. What Is Your Approach to Child Custody?

Different child custody attorneys can have different approaches. Before you hire a lawyer for your case, ask what their advocacy style is.

Do they follow a more collaborative approach, try to create common ground, and negotiate to reach an amicable agreement with the other parent?

Child custody lawyers who have a collaborative focus might also be open to alternative dispute resolution methods, such as collaborative law and mediation.

Or do they have a more assertive approach? More assertive or aggressive attorneys tend to focus on litigation. Instead of trying to keep things within the confines of negotiation, these attorneys are more likely to fight for the desired outcome in court.

The approach of your attorney should meet your individual goals and serve the best interests of your child. If there's a possibility of reaching an amicable middle ground, this is usually the best for the child.

Child custody arrangements via negotiation are a lot more common than many people think. About 51% of child custody cases are settled outside of court.

But if this isn't attainable, or the child's safety depends on minimal contact with the other parent, a more aggressive approach might be necessary.

4. How Long Do You Think It Will Take for My Case to Resolve?

It's very hard for a child custody lawyer to give you an exact time frame for your case. There are usually lots of variables, and the time to resolution often depends on the other party's responses.

Negotiations can take time, especially if there's conflict. If your case goes to court, this can extend the timeline considerably and add more variables.

However, your attorney should still be able to give you some rough projections on how long it might take to resolve your legal case.

5. How Do You Know What's in the Best Interest of the Child?

The interests of the child (or children) are the center point that all custody cases hinge upon. Any experienced child custody lawyer should be able to explain to you what strategies they will use to prioritize your child's interests.

Asking a potential child custody attorney how they prioritize the best interests of the child can give you a glimpse into their expertise.

6. How Will You Keep Me In the Loop?

Negotiating a child custody agreement can be an incredibly stressful time, with a lot hanging in the balance. Your schedule, where you live, and where your child goes to school could all depend on the outcome.

The last thing you want is to be left in the dark during the proceedings.

To set up clear expectations, ask your potential child custody lawyer how they intend to communicate with you and at what frequency.

Can you expect them to phone you with updates, and how often will you hear from them?

7. What Are Your Fees?

Nobody wants to be hit by a surprise bill. To make sure this doesn't happen, ask the child custody attorney to explain their fee structure to you.

If it sounds complicated or confusing, ask them to clarify the details and outline any potential hidden costs.

If cost is a concern, we'd also recommend a child custody lawyer who operates on a flat rate or hourly fee. This can help you accurately budget for the costs and easily interpret your bill.

Are You in Need of an Experienced Child Custody Attorney in Utah?

Picking a child custody lawyer to represent you is an important decision. A lot can depend on how they handle your case. Make sure you choose a child custody attorney who's experienced and has the right approach for your needs.

You should also get clear on their fee structure, how they propose to protect the interests of your child, and what communication frequency you can expect.

Are you looking for an experienced child custody attorney in Utah?

Specializing in family law and child custody cases for over a decade, Joshua R. Lucherini has represented over 1,400 clients. With us, you can also expect fair prices and transparent fees.

Contact us today to book a virtual consultation.