What to Expect When Hiring a Family Law Attorney for the First Time
Going through a family law matter can be stressful and challenging.
There’s legal jargon to learn… Child custody disagreements and parenting responsibilities can cause big emotions. Plus, family law requires people to make tons of important decisions.
If you haven’t hired a family law attorney before, it can be downright intimidating.
Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
When you have the right attorney on your side, it helps take some of the weight off your shoulders. Not to mention, knowing what to expect from the process can save you time, reduce stress and lead to better outcomes for families.
Here’s everything you need to know about hiring a family law attorney…
What You’ll Learn
- Why You Need a Family Law Attorney
- What to Expect from the First Consultation
- How Child Custody and Parenting Responsibilities Are Resolved
- What to Bring and How to Prepare for Your Consultation
- Mistakes to Avoid When Working with a Family Law Attorney
Why You Need a Family Law Attorney
Family law includes many different topics like divorce, child custody, parenting responsibilities, child support, property division, and much more. The reality is that when people try to go through family law issues without an attorney, they often jeopardize their case.
Family law decisions impact child custody schedules, financial stability, and children’s well-being for years into the future. By working with a skilled Monument family law attorney that understands how child custody and parenting responsibilities work, you can rest easy knowing those decisions will be informed, fair, and legally binding.
Think of your family lawyer as your partner and a child’s advocate.
They’ll help you navigate complex legal systems and advocate for what is in the family’s best interest. An attorney will work to protect your parental rights and help you craft a parenting plan you can actually live with.
Without legal representation, it is easy to overlook critical details. And those small details can come back to haunt you.
What to Expect from the First Consultation
The first meeting with a potential attorney is often the most important step in your case.
This is when your attorney will sit down with you to hear about your situation. From there, they will start to outline a plan of action.
During the consultation, you can expect to provide background on:
- The family’s dynamic
- Where children are currently living
- Current custody agreements
- The desired outcome for your case
Your attorney needs to know everything up front. The more they know about your situation, the better they can help you.
Consultations usually take about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Some family law attorneys offer free consultations, and others may charge you a small fee. No matter what, your consultation will set the tone for your entire case.
Ask questions if you have them. A quality attorney will explain the process to you. They should be able to walk you through a general timeline and set realistic expectations for your case. If you don’t understand something, ask them to clarify.
You should also discuss fees, payment plans, and communication methods during your first meeting with the attorney.
How Child Custody and Parenting Responsibilities Are Resolved
Child custody issues are some of the most difficult and emotional parts of family law. Deciding where children live, how often they see each parent, and who has the final say on important decisions is hard on everyone.
Here’s a little-known fact…
According to the United States Census Bureau, there are over 12.9 million custodial parents in the United States caring for 21.9 million children. In other words, millions of families are working through child custody and visitation every day.
Family courts make custody decisions based on the child’s “best interests.” Some factors judges may consider include:
- Each parent’s living situation
- The relationship between the child and each parent
- Parents’ willingness to cooperate with one another
- The child’s wishes (depending on their age)
Remember, family judges prefer not to uproot a child’s life. If one parent can provide stable housing, keeps the child enrolled in the same school, and has a strong relationship with the child, they will likely be favored in custody hearings.
Another thing most people don’t know…
The majority of custody cases are settled outside of court. In fact, statistics show parents settle 91% of cases without a judge. Mediation is always recommended in order to avoid going to trial.
An experienced family attorney can help you work out the details. They can guide you through negotiation with the other parent and draft legally binding agreements.
What to Bring and How to Prepare for Your Consultation
As mentioned above, going into your first consultation prepared will help your case.
Attorneys want as much information as possible so they can best assist you. Here are a few things you should plan to bring to your meeting:
- Any previous court orders or custody agreements
- Proof of income, including pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements
- Texts and emails between you and the other parent
- Timeline of events related to your case
- List of questions you want to ask
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything handy. Your attorney will help you figure out what you need to gather.
Another tip is to write down what you want going into the meeting. What does your ideal custody arrangement look like? What are your biggest concerns with parenting time? By having a clear idea of what you want, you’ll help speed up the legal process.
Mistakes to Avoid When Working with a Family Law Attorney
New clients make the same mistakes when working with a family law attorney. You can avoid unnecessary stress and expenses by keeping the following in mind:
- Don’t wait too long to contact an attorney. The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of strengthening your case.
- Be honest with your lawyer. They can’t help you if you don’t give them all the information.
- Don’t make verbal agreements. Everything should be documented and legally binding.
- Keep your emotions in check. If you let your feelings get the best of you, you could harm your case.
- Try mediation first. Going to court should always be a last resort.
Your attorney will help guide you and should prevent you from making these mistakes early on.
The Bottom Line
Hiring a family law attorney isn’t as scary as you might think.
When you have the right legal team behind you, it can clarify the entire process. Just remember to find an attorney that specializes in family law and know what you want going into your consultation.
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