Many divorce spouses have emotional disagreement over the right arrangement for their children. They kept quarreling on the same topic back and forth and couldn’t reach any conclusion. In this situation, you can consider getting help from a child custody lawyer as he can help you to determine the best arrangement that serves the best interest for the children.
Determine Whether You Need a Child Custody Lawyer
Hiring a child custody lawyer is necessary if the case is complex and you are not confident in representing yourself. For example, you have a bitter quarrel with your spouse on a major child arrangement and the argument keeps going back and forth with no resolution.Child custody attorneys can help in formulating a parenting plan that include details on the visitation times and custody. Spouses often quarrel on the amount of child support that they need to pay.
If you have an attorney to intercede for you, the proceeding will be able to take place smoothly. Court involvement is the best option if the topic that the spouses disagree is based on facts. You will need to look for a family lawyer that specializes in complex child custody issues and has experiences in handling cases in the courtroom. If you prefer representing yourself, you should go to your state website and read the information on the custody laws.
Choose a Reputable and Experienced Lawyer
You will want to consider the reputation and experience of the attorney before hiring. You will want to find a lawyer that can have experiences in handling similar cases. In the initial consultation, you can ask for references to evaluate the potential of the attorney in handling your case. The lawyer may not be able to recall every client’s case but he should be able to pour out his knowledge on certain subjects in the discussion.
After that, you can ask the lawyer about the idea he has for your case. You can ask the lawyer to give suggestions on the strategy he will use for winning your case. A reputable lawyer will be compassionate and capable of handling sensitive situations like family death. He will know what to do for a child custody case that involves children with special needs.
Take Into Consideration the Cost
Cost is another factor when you want to hire a child custody lawyer. They often have expensive retainer fees depending on the amount of time that is required for solving the case. Therefore, you should ask for the fees upfront in the initial consultation prior to hiring. It costs around $100 – $450 per hour to hire a child custody attorney. Some will charge a retainer fee as advanced payment.
The retainer fee is deposited into a special account and it is deducted according to the amount of the cost of the services you are being charged. The retainer fee can be forfeited if you decide to drop the case halfway. The rate varies depending on location and the experience of the child custody lawyer. Before hiring, you may want to obtain a written agreement on the fee.
