Simple Steps for Finding a Custody Lawyer

Retaining good legal counsel is one of the most important steps in your child custody case.  Almost every city offers hundreds of choices, but taking the extra time to find the best lawyer for your situation could pay dividends.  Here are some things to consider when making your selection.

References
A good lawyer will be proud of his success and will be happy to share references with you.  But don’t just browse the list he provides, call two or three of them and compare your case with theirs.  It won’t do you much good to have a lawyer who excels in accident settlements when you are involve in a custody battle.  If you can’t find someone with a comparable case then move on to the next firm.  One easy point of reference is to seek a lawyer who is also a Certified Family Law Specialist.  This ensures that they have had the training and experience in area you need assistance.

Experience
There are two types of experience you are looking for with your custody lawyer.  The first is a track record of dealing with similar cases, and the second is experience working with the current judges in your jurisdiction.  While the court operates under the premise of unbiased judgments, long standing relationships will always have a positive effect on your case.  Look for a lawyer who has successfully won custody cases with your particular judge.  This is usually a positive sign that they can achieve the same outcome with your case.

Interview
So many parents walk into a lawyer’s office and wait for them to ask the questions.  The session turns into a reverse interview where the lawyer learns everything and you learn nothing.  Have an extended list of questions prepared in advance of your meeting.  Ask for cost estimates, approximations of how long the process takes, and what their strategy is for custody cases.  If you interview at least three lawyers with this system then you should be able to easily eliminate one or two by simply comparing their answers.

Choosing a lawyer for your custody case should not be taken lightly.  Those who expect to just open the phone book and pick the biggest ad are likely to be disappointed or pay too much. 

Never rely solely on a lawyer to win your custody case.  Using a resource like Bricklin and Elliot's Custody Strategies will help you better understand the custody process and determine what you need to do to win your case.