Parents want only the best for their children and are typically willing to do anything necessary to ensure that happens. That’s why child custody cases can quickly become very intense and often aggressive. You want to fight for what’s best for your children, and enlisting the help of a child custody lawyer can be very beneficial.
When you start looking for a child custody lawyer, you’ll find that there is no shortage of options. So how do you know that you are choosing the best lawyer for your child custody case? The answers to the questions below can help you with your search for the best child custody lawyer for your case.
Do They Have Experience in Cases Like Yours?
Every child custody case is different. And the lawyer who will be best suited for your case has experience with cases similar to yours. Here are a few examples of special circumstances in which you should ensure the custody lawyer you choose has experience.
- Will your case be high conflict or complex?
- Does your child have special needs?
- Are there jurisdiction issues to take into consideration?
Are Custody Cases Their Specialty?
All child custody attorneys practice family law, but not all family law attorneys are child custody attorneys. Many family law attorneys have experience in multiple areas, but if their primary specialty is something other than child custody, they may not be the best choice.
Do You Like the Lawyer?
You’re not expected to get along with everyone you meet. And the same is true with child custody lawyers. That makes an initial consultation with a lawyer a vital part of the process. During the consultation, ask yourself the following questions.
- Do our personalities mesh?
- Are they professional?
- Do they seem distracted?
- Are they organized?
- Do they answer my questions thoroughly and in a way that I can understand?
- Do they listen to me?
- Do they seem interested in helping me?
- Is there anything that makes me uncomfortable about this lawyer?
Each lawyer has a different personality and a different style. Meeting with multiple lawyers to discuss your case can ensure that you choose the lawyer you feel the most comfortable with and think can best represent you in your child custody case.
Don’t Choose a Lawyer Solely on a Recommendation
Getting recommendations from family and friends is a great place to start your search for a child custody lawyer, but it shouldn’t be the only factor you use when making your final decision. When you get a recommendation, you should definitely take time to research the lawyer and even schedule a consultation. But remember that just because the lawyer was a good fit for your friend, they may not be the best fit for your case.
Do They Communicate Well?
During your case, your lawyer should be communicating with you regularly. You should be able to contact your lawyer with questions and know you will get a response in a reasonable amount of time.
Your lawyer must also communicate with others, such as your spouse, lawyers, and judges. You need a lawyer who will be an effective communicator and professionally represent you.
Do They Fit Within Your Budget?
Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, so it’s essential to make sure that hiring them will not cause a financial burden for you. During your consultation, you should ask how the lawyer handles billings. And while they may not be able to give you an exact amount of their services at that time, they can give you a ballpark cost that will allow you to determine if they will fit within your budget.
Do They Show Compassion?
Your family is going through a very emotional time right now. You will want a child custody lawyer who understands this and what your family is going through. While your lawyer isn’t meant to be your emotional support during this time, you need to find someone who can show compassion for what you’re going through.
Let Attorney Hunter Fowler Help You With Your Child Custody Case
Choosing the right child custody lawyer is one of the most important decisions you will make. Mistakes made during your case could ultimately affect the time you get to spend with your child, and certain mistakes can lead to a parent losing custody of their child. So ensuring that you have the right lawyer by your side is imperative.
Attorney Hunter Fowler knows that you want what’s best for your children, so he makes your family’s needs a priority when he works with you. Hunter has experience with child custody cases, including cases involved in a divorce, unwed parents, and questionable paternity. He will walk you through the legal process and help ensure that the outcome of your case serves everyone’s best interests.
Contact us today for a consultation.