One of the most stressful events that can happen to any family is divorce. Although it can often be dealt with amicably, there are issues such as child custody that can cause upset and confusion for the children involved.
When trying to deal with child custody, many couples will look to a lawyer that is specially trained to help. Finding the right lawyer who is qualified, sympathetic, and has the best interest of the children in mind are key factors when figuring out how to choose a child custody lawyer.
Find a Specialist Lawyer
It’s vital that you spend some time looking for the right lawyer in the Virginia area who is specially trained to deal with child custody cases. The laws surrounding child custody are specific, so you want someone who is both qualified and has the experience of dealing with such cases. It’s a good idea to make a list of the most suitable firms in your area, then you can go through them and make your decision.
Research
Once you have your shortlist of lawyers, you need to look at each one in detail to see what their reputation is and their success rate. If you have friends that have needed to use a child custody lawyer, then ask their opinion on which one they chose. This can often be the best way to find the right lawyer, but you should still do other research.
Check to see how long each lawyer has been practicing and if they have any reviews on their website. While choosing the most experienced is no guarantee of success, having dealt with cases previously is a big advantage.
Contact and Asking Questions
By this point, you should have a shortlist of child custody lawyers that you can now contact and speak to. Although you can email each lawyer to see what they say, it’s more beneficial to try and set up a face to face meeting with each of them.
Before you attend, make a list of questions that you want to ask. This is an important step because it will give you a sense of what can be achieved and how realistic your expectations will be. In addition, don’t be afraid to change your questions after each meeting, especially if you discover something along the way that needs more clarification.
Making Your Final Choice
Once all of the meetings are over, you can spend some time deciding on the best option for you and your children. You should have a good idea of what will happen by this point, so finding the most capable lawyer will become an easier task.
Other Things to Consider
While a good child custody lawyer can help you with the legal aspect of the case, there are some areas where the judge will take into account many factors. If the judge feels that the child has the intelligence and the capability to request a preference, then this can be taken into consideration. The preference has to be based on sound reasons and not simply superficial things such as who buys more toys. The judge will also listen to any arrangements that you as a couple have worked out along the way.
Despite all of the preparation and research, it’s crucial to understand that the judge might not rule in your favor. They will look at the situation of both parents and also consider what is in the best interest of the child. In many cases, custody can be reviewed after a set period of time, especially if there are issues that arise from the current judgment.
Finding the right child custody lawyer can seem like a complicated task, but with the right research and asking the important questions, you can find the best lawyer for you and your family.