Child custody cases can be contentious situations that involve a lot of emotions between all parties in the case. The legal process of resolving child custody cases can be challenging and complex, often leaving parents feeling frustrated, frightened, and stressed. Having a child custody lawyer on your side will not only help ease the stress of court proceedings, but it can make a big difference in obtaining a desirable outcome of the case.
Child custody lawyers are able to negotiate with the opposing party without involving emotion. This is an important point, because having an unbiased representative negotiate and advocate for you, while staying level-headed is a valuable attribute for a successful agreement. Former spouses, partners, or family members that have had complicated relationships often create an even more complicated situation when they don’t hire a qualified legal expert to assist them in their case.
Experienced attorneys are also accustomed to managing deadlines and all paperwork associated with child custody cases. Missing an important court appearance, or not filing paperwork in time can cause serious problems for an individual, and having an attorney handle the details provides a peace of mind that is essential when coping with child custody.
Another key factor in the job description of what child custody lawyers do, is that they represent their clients in court. Most people are unaware of the laws pertaining to their child custody case, but an experienced lawyer knows and will fight for a reasonable outcome for their client. Because emotions can run high in custody cases, it is important to have a lawyer who will advocate for your best interests while remaining calm and composed in front of the judge or a mediator.
Child custody lawyers also have the skill-set and experience to help parents modify their child custody agreements. Now more than ever, custody issues are being resolved through the use of parenting agreements that are made binding by the court.
Life happens, and sometimes these agreements need to be modified in order to accommodate changing schedules, home locations, or other issues that may present while the child is a minor. An experienced lawyer can assist a client with making a modification to the custody agreement, which will also ensure that the person does not violate any conditions of the agreement.
Other complex issues that child custody lawyers deal with, are legal situations that involve international or interstate custody disputes. When parents live in different states or countries, a whole new host of laws come into play, and having a lawyer who can navigate the ins and outs of the legal system is invaluable.
Additionally, child custody lawyers can help clients negotiate reasonable child support rates. Like parenting agreements, it is sometimes appropriate to modify the amount of monthly child support payments, and a child custody lawyer can assist in making this possible.
Other Helpful Resources:In order to obtain the best possible outcome for your situation, it is a good idea to consider hiring a child custody lawyer. In situations where both parties are initially cooperative with one another, it is not uncommon for issues to come up that create a rift or animosity. Having an attorney handle the legalities of court proceedings, as well as representing you in mediation or in court is also very helpful.
If your case is complicated, crosses jurisdictions, or if your ex is attempting to limit your contact with your child, your lawyer can fight for the type of custody agreement that you are seeking. Additionally, if the court is requiring you to take classes or participate in treatment, you are already at a disadvantage, and a child custody lawyer can help you navigate the court system, while holding onto your parental rights.
In cases that the person’s ex has hired an attorney, it is important for the individual to be fairly represented. Without an attorney, the person will be at a disadvantage, and it could put them in jeopardy of not obtaining a reasonable outcome. If you are unsure whether you should hire a lawyer, it is a good idea to request a consultation, and make a decision after you have a better idea as to what your case may entail.
While this might be one of the first questions a parent might have: how much does a child custody lawyer cost? The answer is: it depends. There are many factors that go into a child custody proceeding, and the more complicated and longer the proceeding is the more expensive it will be.
For example, if the case is clear and simple with divorcing parents trying to decide who should have physical custody, then it will most likely be a moderate amount. The exact amount will entirely depend on how much your lawyer charges and the cost of other fees like filing fees and if you used any experts or specialists. So you may expect to pay as low as $1,000 or over $5,000.
But if you have a more complicated case, like a parent refusing to share physical custody to the point of parental kidnapping. The case gets a lot more complicated and the lawyer could expect to put in more hours than what was first anticipated.
To fully understand the break down of fees and costs, check out our page on How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost.
The area of family law encompasses a wide variety of issues, including but not limited to: child custody, divorce, spousal support, child visitation, child support, and paternity. Many of the practice areas in family law are related to one another, and experienced family law attorneys are well-versed in representing clients with multiple needs.
For example, a person going through a divorce may also be dealing with child custody, visitation, child support, and alimony issues. In hiring a family law attorney, she can rest assured that all of her legal needs will be met, and she will be fairly represented in any upcoming legal proceedings.
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