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22 Aug, 2023 by Jordan
David covered more ground in 1 hour than I have experienced with other attorneys. He was real, and told me clearly what is realistic. He set me on a good course and I will be grateful.
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06 Nov, 2020 by James
David provided me with the knowledge and advice I needed to successfully navigate my divorce. His assistant Tarrah was fantastic to work with as well. I was charged a reasonable fee to prepare, edit and file all of the documentation. Meetings via Zoom were set up in a timely fashion and my questions and concerns were answered promptly. Although this was a difficult experience, I believe David helped to make it as smooth as possible for me. I would highly recommend hiring David if the need arises.
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15 May, 2020 by Lucy
David I Bean has helped me with renewing my Restraining Order against my aggressive and dishonest ex during COVID-19. David takes my case seriously. He approached me and try to sort out my issues although he could ask his assistant to do intake on behalf of him and let me have a longer wait. However he didn't. David let me have time and space so that I can bring the most useful resources related to the issues. He listens very well. David can react to a new situation and transition it smoothly. We went to the Court for a in-person hearing, but it turned out to be a phone hearing. David was able to fast response how to deliver certain tasks to proper person/Judge to get things going seamlessly. David cares about community. He donates his time and knowledge and help me to become a better person. In a word, David is a lawyer with good heart. It was a great experience to learn from this excellent human being, Lawyer David I Bean.
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08 Mar, 2022 by Kellie
I found Tanzosh Family Law after multiple calls to other attorney's in the area. Brenna was personable, answered my questions, and was very sympathetic and understanding during my consultation (divorce - mostly amicable). Her billing was accurate in time devoted to my case and I never felt she 'added on or made things longer' than they needed to be. Very fair in price and represented me very well. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing assistance in Family Law. Side note: She also decided to hire an assistant during the time I was utilizing Brenna's services. She is also knowledgeable, timely and efficient. Great team. Thank you for all you have done for me. I was so appreciated.
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08 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Honest and Dependable Loyer gets the job done Very satisfied Never want to go through divorce again but definitely hire her again
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11 Jan, 2022 by Jeff
Brenna & Michael took my case a couple of years ago and it was complicated, and at the time very emotional with the circumstances and challenges. They got me in the right mental frame of mind with their support. Then we meticulously went through our options, and devised a plan. We reached a settlement that was fair and equitable for both sides which is all I could have asked. It didn’t get messy because Brenna & Michael were empathetic to the factors in our case. I’m forever grateful for the outcome. They are top shelf professionals that know the law and the reality. I highly recommend them to the serious person that desires a fair shake, and is willing to put in the time to get there. Sincerely, Jeff Johnson
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05 Jan, 2021 by Stephen
DO NOT HIRE HIM, YOU WILL REGRET IT! Lee is in it for the money, not your best interests. Somehow my situation got worse with Lee's representation. I fired him, represented myself, and regained custody that I lost when Lee was representing me.
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29 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr. Tyler was very personable and provided great representation without adding unnecessary hours and charges. A great attorney I would and will hire again.
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18 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Through one of the hardest experiences I've been through, yet my confidence grew quickly with Lee and the very capable team.
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08 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Like the comment below, he was not worth what I paid. He often required that I wait way too long for responses to emails and calls and clearly was always preoccupied by somethings. Divorcing my wife cost way more than it should have.
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25 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
Look. If you want to spend top dollar for mediocre results then this is your guy. I found him incredibly disengaged with the process.
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02 Oct, 2017 by Allison
No one wants to get divorced, and certainly no one wants to have a contentious divorce and custody battle. Walking into court, I never felt more confident thanks to Alex's hard work, preparation and caring communication throughout the whole process. Alex is incredibly smart, measured, thoughtful and has a personal nature that will make you feel at ease. But it's also his tenacity and doggedness that makes you feel confident you're in the right hands. I interviewed numerous lawyers before final landing on Alex and I am very thankful to have him on my team.
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28 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
i WAS GIVEN A REFERRAL TO GOLDBERG AND JONES. I DECIDED TO GO DESPITE KNOWING THAT ANY FIRM THAT POURS AD MONEY INTO A PRODUCT LIKE THEY DO TYPICALLY IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A POOR PRODUCT, I PAID MY 200 DOLLARS FOR CHANCE TO MAKE JOKES REPEATEDLY ABOUT MY BEING DUMB ENOUGH TO MARRY THE SAME PERSON TWICE.. I HAD DONE A FAIR AMOUNT OF DUE DILLIGENCE PRIOR TO VISITING HIM,, HE WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH MAKING FUN OF ME AND TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD JUST SETTLE MY CASE FOR HALF.. HIS PARTING COMMENT WAS TO HAND ME A CARD AND TO LET ME KNOW WHEN I WAS GOING TO RETAIN HIM.. AND A FINAL JOKE ABOUT MARRYING THE SAME PERSON TWICE.. I HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY RETAINED A COMPETENT ATTORNEY AND AM HEADED FOR TRIAL..
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05 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
It has been several years since I dealt with Chance but he appears to still be with Goldberg and Jones. Coming in the door Colin Amos promised me the moon, then passed me off to Chance. Most of my funds were spent sitting around chatting it up with Chance. He never developed a legal strategy to move forward with my case, even refusing to even attempt to research the value of narital assets. Valuable time was lost and, consequently, money. I wasn't sure if Fewel's failure to perform his duties,as my attorney were more due to professional incompetence, ineperience or a lack of passion for the job -- perhaps all three? Anyway after re-uping their retainer once too often and expending thousands of my dollars for legal services of questionable value I cut hi m loose and hired another lawyer who as she said "cleaned up the mess" he had made of my divorce. Lesson learned,even if a little late.
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22 Aug, 2017 by Matthew
Super honest and helpful- got my case settled!
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20 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Avoid this lawyer and his law firm AT ALL COSTS. We hired Ben Evans to help my mother through her divorce from her abusive ex-husband, and let me tell you: working with him was one of the most infuriating and aggravating experiences of our lives. Not only was this illiterate, degenerate lawyer unresponsive with laser-consistency, but he was always wildly impatient and rude to my mother. He never did any of the paperwork that he said he was going to do; my mother ended up doing most of it herself. He tried to convince my mother to give up most of the very reasonable things she was asking for from the divorce judge. It almost seemed like Ben Evans was colluding with my mother's ex-husband. Ben Evans never once showed even so much as an iota of care for his client. Ben always behaved as if we were a massive drain on his life and as if we should worship every breath he exhaled. He acted like a pretentious, defiant pre-teen. My mother's English isn't the best, and we're a very poor family, so we dug deep into what little money he had left to hire this clown. He caused my mother so much additional stress to the point that we ended up paying Ben Evans the full amount just so we could fire him on the spot and rid ourselves of the malignant tumor he had become in our lives. If you are a woman, or an immigrant, or struggling financially, and seeking help from a lawyer: do NOT hire this arrogant insect of a man. He will only cause you to lose tens of thousands of dollars with ZERO results.
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06 Sep, 2018 by Thomas
When I got divorced a couple of years ago, it was Awful. I am so glad that I spoke with Benjamin. He gave me great advice, and steered me in the right direction. Even afterwards, he often will ask about it if we see each other. I highly recommend Benjamin Evans!
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04 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
After 13 years of directly paying my exwife child support for our 2 children, per a verbal agreement, she decided to take me to court for more money. After trying to talk to her and settle situation out of court, as we have for last 13 years, I realized she wasnt going to compromise anymore and simply wanted everything she could get. I knew then that i needed a lawyer. I was given Ben Evans name as a referral from my roommates EAP. This being my first experience with a lawyer, I had no expectations. After initially speaking with Ben on the phone, I felt comfortable about moving forward with him representing me. I brought in everything regarding my divorce and explained what had changed since the final verdict years ago. He was quick to decipher everything I had and the situation I was in. By my next visit, he had every bit of paperwork ready to fill out and a rough time frame of what to expect. Every question I had was answered. Every bit of the paperwork I didn't understand or needed quidance on, Ben was there with an answer that related to what I was looking for as my final result. During the whole process, there were a couple hiccups with a difficult judge, Ben was adamant about rectifying the situation and wasted no time contacting the judge so we could move further on closing my case. All the while, keeping me up to date on everything transpiring. There were a couple things that I had to take care of on my own, which he informed me of where and how to handle. Including raising the eyebrows of child support division to the alterations in my case, making it easier for me to do what I needed to do. In the end, my support was lowered, to the surprise of my ex! Ben was easy to work with and communication was spot on. Any problems throughout my case, were handled quickly and on track for ultimate goal. Every aspect of my case was addressed and tended to. Regardless of my unexpected, pleasant outcome, I pray I don't have to go through this again but will definitely be calling Ben if the situation presents itself. I would recommend him to any person in need of a thorough family lawyer.
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09 Mar, 2024 by Jason
I am the custodial parent and was being challenged on my behavior with my 12 year old. Child protective services were called to investigate an accusation of withholding food. The case was deemed unfounded. My child’s mother apparently desired a second opinion. This is when I called the firm Austin Batalden worked at. Batalden was happy to meet with me and my wife for the consultation fee. While speaking with her, she exuded a confidence to handle our legal situation. Based on her appraisal, Batalden estimated the cost would end up being a few thousand dollars if things went smoothly, and perhaps ten thousand dollars or more if they did not. Once Batalden began working on my case, I began to lose confidence in her. I tried to encourage Batalden to be more assertive with the facts already available, and I kept getting the sense that she did not want to be too strong with the opposing counsel. The opposing counsel was being quite strong however, and when I had spent about four thousand dollars, I decided to seek out a different attorney. I hired a new attorney. Batalden’s firm, aware of my disappointment, transferred my case for the associated clerical fees. I was quite relieved once I began to work with my new attorney. What I learned is that attorneys can often sound intelligent, and indeed are intelligent in terms of law, but that does not inform clients as to their competence other areas related to their job. My opinion is that Batalden was disinterested in my case and my perception was that my case got away from her before she realized it. I also perceived and felt that she was not interested in me and my well-being as a person experiencing a difficult situation evolving into a crisis. My mental health and that of my wife and whole family suffered through the next two years to have our matter eventually go before a judge. I believe this could have been avoided. I remain my child’s custodial parent and my child’s mother was ordered supervised visitation and mandatory professional coaching. I would not recommend Batalden for any matter that had more nuance than simply navigating the legal system. The total cost of my court ordeal was around 50 thousand dollars. I believe this too could have been avoided.
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27 Feb, 2024 by Meeta
I hired Austin for my divorce and recently for my custody case. Austin is one of the most genuine people I have ever met - she is very knowledgeable about family law and puts the childs interests above everything else. She is not only a great lawyer, but a very patient, strategic advisor on how to proceed with your case. She responds quickly and communicates very well.
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17 Jan, 2024 by Hannah
Austin Batalden has been an incredible attorney for my family and I. Austin took amazing care with my case. She made sure that everything was done correctly. She communicated everything clearly and easily. I really appreciated her realistic approaches to a turbulent situation. If you are looking for a family law attorney, you cannot do better than Austin. Knowing that you have someone competent and empathetic handling a sensitive issue brings priceless peace of mind.
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17 Mar, 2010 by Anonymous
Ms. Soto neglected to inform me about the other attorney's motion which cost me thousands of dollars and a financial mess. She did not complete her work as requested and basically dumped my case.
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13 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Soto represented me in traffic court in 2008 and the ticket was thrown out. I was satisfied with her representation and she was very affordable.
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05 Sep, 2010 by George
Craig sorted out what was a difficult mixed-property dissolution and obtained a favorable result in a settlement. Craig was my first and only attorney in this dissolution. Craig was consistent during the transitions. He explained the law to me and at critical times during settlement provided good, sound, conservative advise. I was confident after being educated by Craig that I could stand firm on certain issues, while giving on others.
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05 May, 2009 by Anonymous
We hired this attorney for my son's divorce and found him to be passive and quiet. He let everyone walk over him in court and didn't represent my son's best interests. We felt he was siding with my son's wife and he didn't get us a court date after asking him frequently for one. We feel he was just stringing us along to bring in money for the firm. As we hadn't dealt with a divorce in our family before, we didn't realize how bad things were until my son was about 30 thousand dollars in debt and he still didn't get a divorce after over 2 years. My son fired him and hired another attorney. The divorce wasn't a difficult one so there wasn't any reason why it wasn't finalized much sooner. We don't recommend this attorney for anyone.
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13 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Hired him to represent me to win my SSI. He guided me through the process with much empathy. Unfortunately I was presented with a disagreeable SSI judge at my hearing and didn't win my award. Fortunately I didn't have to pay for his services unless I'd have won my case.
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29 May, 2021 by Nik
I also believe that Todd was intentionally working against me. Possibly forwarding emails. Giving bad information. Giving terrible advice. And possibly lying. Either Todd is a court dodger or not truthful. Either way I feel betrayed. Beware!! Run away!!!
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18 Apr, 2021 by David
To be fair to Mr. Worthley, he did suffer a death in his family at the time, but still, I wasn't contacted by him or his staff for two months after I and my advocate consulted with him in person. (I'd been referred to him by the Oregon Bar.) After those two months, he said that he'd called the other person's lawyer, and that he didn't think I needed any legal help or even mediation. He then gave me a solution that we'd already explained to him wouldn't be possible. With all due respect, Mr. Worthley didn't remember any of the key issues in my case, and then only offered me a solution that would not only not work for my case but had nothing to do with the core issues which we presented to him at our meeting in person. He refunded only part of my retainer and wrote me a letter saying I had "mischaracterized" him (whatever that means). I was surprised and disappointed, and I would definitely not recommend him.
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31 May, 2021 by Jamason
I’m sad to see that someone else has had the same experience that I had with Laura and the rest of her pathetic scum of the earth firm. These people are leeches and will turn your life upside down out of sheer incompetence and bad breath.
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25 Oct, 2018 by Jason
Laura Rackner is by far the best attorney I've ever worked with. She is fair, firm and extremely knowledgeable. She was very comforting during a very difficult time and always gave me confidence in her answers and approach with my case. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
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27 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Had hired her but ended up getting her junior partner when it came for court time who could not even write a decent court document for the case. Also she kept giving bad advice putting my children and myself in danger. After finally switching to a less known but very competent and effective lawyer who listened to my concerns. Ms. Rackner would not believe all the things I was telling her and had to get 2 witnesses to talk with her who were professionals to have her even consider that going back to an abusive home was out of the question. She would not be my choice for an abusive situation or if there is any mental health problem in a divorce case.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
She was intimidated by opposing counsel, encouraged settling and giving more to them than was even necessary let alone fair. She is not a fathers rights attorney whatsoever. She has no experience (outside of our case) with high conflict people, and had no idea how to handle it. There were multiple instances of her giving advice, only to concede that she was wrong. She dropped the ball on multiple occasions. When she’d speak to the judge, she was too nervous to get across ideas. It was like she was a kid reading from a written speech, no ability to improvise. Hiring her and not firing her mid battle is one of my biggest regrets. I don’t mean to be cruel, but this needed to be said. It’s too important and too much money for others not to know.
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What a Child Custody Lawyer Can Do for You

A child custody lawyer specializes in helping parents navigate legal matters related to the custody and care of their children, particularly in the context of divorce, separation, or other family disputes. These lawyers assist with determining custody arrangements, drafting parenting plans, and advocating for your rights in court. They also help resolve disputes over physical custody (where the child lives), legal custody (who makes decisions for the child), visitation rights, and modifications to existing custody orders.

Whether you're going through a divorce or need to change an existing custody arrangement, a child custody lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect your child's best interests throughout the legal process.

When Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a child custody lawyer in several situations, especially when disputes arise or complex legal issues affect your parental rights. Some common reasons to hire a child custody lawyer include:

  • Divorce or separation: If you're going through a divorce or separation and need to establish custody and visitation arrangements, a lawyer can help ensure the custody order reflects your child's best interests.
  • Disputed custody cases: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody or visitation terms, a lawyer can advocate for your rights in court and help you develop a strong case.
  • Modification of custody orders: If you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to changes in circumstances (e.g., relocation, changes in the child’s needs), a lawyer can help file a modification request.
  • Parental alienation: If the other parent is interfering with your relationship with your child, a lawyer can help address these issues through legal action.
  • Domestic violence or abuse: If there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, a lawyer can help protect you and your child by requesting restraining orders and advocating for appropriate custody arrangements.
  • Grandparent or third-party custody: If you are a grandparent or another relative seeking custody or visitation rights, a lawyer can guide you through the legal process.
  • Paternity disputes: In cases where paternity is in question, a lawyer can assist with establishing or challenging paternity, which may affect custody and visitation rights.

Hiring a lawyer early in the process can help protect your parental rights and ensure that the custody arrangement is in your child's best interests.

What Does a Child Custody Lawyer Do?

A child custody lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help parents resolve custody disputes and secure favorable custody arrangements for their children. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Filing custody petitions: Helping you file the necessary paperwork to request custody or visitation rights and ensuring all legal procedures are followed.
  • Negotiating custody agreements: Assisting in negotiating custody and visitation arrangements, often working toward a mutually beneficial parenting plan without going to court.
  • Representing you in court: If you and the other parent cannot agree on custody terms, representing you in court by presenting evidence and making legal arguments to support your case.
  • Drafting parenting plans: Helping you draft a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines the schedule for physical custody, decision-making responsibilities, and visitation.
  • Handling child support issues: Assisting with related issues such as child support, ensuring that financial obligations are properly calculated and enforced.
  • Modifying custody orders: Helping you request a modification from the court if you need to change an existing custody arrangement due to significant life changes.
  • Mediating custody disputes: Acting as a mediator to help both parents reach an agreement on custody and visitation without the need for litigation.

How Are Child Custody Lawyers Paid?

Child custody lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case, the time involved, and the nature of the legal work. Common payment methods include:

  • Hourly rate: Most child custody lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location. The total cost depends on the time spent preparing documents, negotiating, and representing you in court.
  • Flat fee: For simple custody matters or uncontested custody agreements, some lawyers may offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting a parenting plan or filing a custody petition.
  • Retainer: Many lawyers require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the lawyer works on your case. The amount varies based on the expected complexity and duration of the case.
  • Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some lawyers may offer reduced fees or pro bono (free) services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in cases involving domestic violence or other serious issues.

It’s important to discuss fees and payment arrangements with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how much you will be charged and what services are included.

How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a child custody lawyer depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, whether it’s contested or uncontested, and the lawyer’s experience. General cost estimates include:

  • Uncontested custody cases: Legal fees may range from $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the paperwork and any negotiations.
  • Contested custody cases: Legal fees can range from $5,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the issues, the need for expert testimony, and the time spent in litigation.
  • Hourly rates: Lawyers typically charge between $150 and $500 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or complex custody disputes.
  • Mediation services: If both parents agree to work through mediation, costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more for the mediation process.

Always ask for a clear cost estimate during your consultation to ensure that you understand the total legal fees and payment structure.

Top Questions to Ask a Child Custody Lawyer

Before hiring a child custody lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your case. Some key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with child custody cases?
    Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, especially if your case involves complex issues like domestic violence, relocation, or paternity disputes.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees for certain services, or requires a retainer, and ask for an estimate of the total cost.
  3. What is the likelihood of success in my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case, including potential challenges and expected outcomes.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Inquire about the expected timeline from filing the petition to reaching an agreement or going to trial.
  5. Will you personally handle my case?
    Ensure you know who will be managing your case and representing you in court.
  6. Can we pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution?
    Ask whether the lawyer recommends mediation or other forms of dispute resolution to avoid a lengthy court battle.

How to Check the Credibility of a Child Custody Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable child custody lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for family law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in family law and child custody cases.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge the lawyer’s professionalism and success in child custody matters.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on custody cases.
  • Check for certifications: Look for lawyers who are board-certified in family law or have memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) or local family law sections.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a child custody lawyer, come prepared with relevant documents and information:

  • Court orders or existing custody agreements: Bring copies of any existing custody or visitation orders for the lawyer to review.
  • Communication with the other parent: Provide copies of emails, texts, or letters regarding custody, visitation, or disputes.
  • List of your child’s needs: Prepare a list of your child’s specific needs, such as medical care, education, and extracurricular activities.
  • Timeline of the case: Outline key events related to your custody case, including changes in living situations or parental involvement.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the custody process, legal fees, and the lawyer’s strategy for your case.

By being well-prepared, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible advice for protecting your rights and your child’s well-being.

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