Although it is difficult to pinpoint the number of parents involved in custody battles in the USA, there were roughly 22 million custodial children in 2018. Simply put, this means that these children lived in a household with one parent, while the other lives elsewhere.
However, even with the number of custody battles ongoing, it can be one of the most stressful situations a parent will experience. After all, this will see a judge’s decision shaping a child’s future, and this decision could be swayed with the right legal assistance. This means obtaining the right lawyer is essential.
To ensure you hire the best attorney for your child custody case, you must consider the three factors below.
Check Certifications and Credentials
When hiring a child custody lawyer, one of the very first aspects to verify is their license with the state bar association. It is this license that ensures the attorney is legally allowed to practice law in your state, and it will also prove they have not faced disciplinary action during their career. A lawyer who has been disciplined could weaken your case and cause problems in the future.
While checking they are properly licensed, you will also need to look at the qualifications the lawyer has gained. Some legal experts will further their education by earning certifications in family law, which will ensure they have more expertise and knowledge in this field. This type of information will help you determine if they are the right fit for your case.
It is also worth looking at any awards the lawyer or their legal practice has won. For example, Lonnie Foster from Foster Law Firm in Sugarland, Texas, won the Readers’ Choice Best Family Attorney and Attorney Mediator for Fort Bend County in 2007. This demonstrates a higher level of expertise and recognition within the family law and child custody field.
Evaluate Their Experience
As the experience of your chosen attorney will impact the strength of your case, you must look into this before finalizing your decision. The experience they require will range from mediation, particularly as custody cases are usually settled this way, to court. You want a lawyer who is experienced and confident when presenting your case to the judge, as this will increase the likelihood of gaining a favorable outcome.
Child custody cases are often emotionally charged and could involve child support, spousal support, and other complex problems. An experienced lawyer will have the know-how to handle these issues effectively without becoming overwhelmed and making mistakes. They will strive to work towards a fair settlement agreement while advocating for their client’s interests.
Listen to Referrals and Read Reviews
Sometimes, word of mouth is best, and reviews and referrals can offer a valuable insight into the professionalism and success of a child custody attorney. There is an abundance of reviews available online, and you can read through these to understand how your potential lawyer has communicated, handled cases, and interacted with past clients.
Referrals from individuals you know are crucial, too, as they often come with a level of trust. If someone you know has been through a custody battle, they will have contacts that could prove useful. Trusted friends and family members can vouch for an attorney’s ethics, results, and skills to lead you to select a lawyer who has the ability to handle your case.
To conclude, using the three considerations provided in this post can be incredibly useful when looking to hire a child custody lawyer. This can be a stressful time, especially if you have upset children, but knowing you have selected the best attorney available will ease some of the stress you will likely be experiencing.
