Facing a combative child custody case on your own when the other party has a lawyer puts you at a disadvantage–you’ll be bogged down by child custody legal jargon and the complex court system itself, thus minimizing your chances of winning. This is why you need a qualified Virginia child custody lawyer to represent you. But what kind of lawyer deals with child custody?
Why You Need a Child Custody Attorney
Although it’s not mandatory to have a lawyer representing you in a contentious child custody case, having one can significantly boost your chances of success in the case. Because you’re not a qualified attorney, you may lack specialized legal knowledge or an understanding of the rules of evidence.
Given the complexities involved in a child custody case, it’s very challenging and risky to represent yourself. Doing so might hurt your case, causing you to lose the opportunity to obtain or keep custody of your children after divorce. But this doesn’t mean that only married couples should hire a lawyer for their custody cases.
The Virginia custody laws unmarried parents have to deal with when seeking custody are also quite complex; they need to be interpreted by qualified and experienced child custody attorneys. The attorney will guide you through these challenges and ensure you get a satisfactory outcome.
Here are the main reasons why you should hire an attorney for your child custody case:
Evidence Gathering
Your attorney understands the kind of evidence likely to be requested by the court during the proceedings, so they’ll help you gather all the information that will likely support your case. Your attorney will help you to organize the evidence in a professional format that’s favorable to you.
Representation
Generally, the court system is very complex, with a lot of paperwork and processes that need to be completed. You need someone who understands how the system works to help you go through the hurdles. Your attorney will advise you on how to behave in court during the proceedings. Their guidance is necessary because a child custody case can be complicated, nerve-racking, and emotionally draining.
Expert Advice
Your child custody attorney will advise you on the steps you should take to support your case. They’ll also advise you on whether to spend your resources on a Guardian ad Litem or a custody evaluator.
Which Lawyer Handles Child Custody Cases?
Different types of lawyers work directly with children. In some law firms, the workload involves cases that specifically involve kids. In other instances, attorneys may volunteer to work with non-profit organizations that help kids. Here are the main types of attorneys that handle child custody cases in Virginia:
Family and Juvenile Attorneys
In family and juvenile law, family attorneys can represent kids, parents, or both. Family and juvenile attorneys handle cases involving child custody, adoption, guardianship, visitation rights, and so on. Their main role is to advocate for children’s safety and well-being during divorce proceedings.
They also represent offenders in family and juvenile court proceedings. A family and juvenile lawyer can either belong to a law firm or be a sole practitioner.
Guardian ad Litem
In a child custody case in which both parents can’t amicably agree on certain issues, the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem to mediate and ensure the best interests of the child are taken into consideration. A Guardian ad Litem is a lawyer appointed by the court to investigate cases involving child custody and make recommendations to the court or other attorneys.
Agency Attorneys
In child welfare and health service cases, agency attorneys that work for the state or local government agencies can represent the children involved. These attorneys collaborate with caseworkers to gather evidence that can be used in court to determine cases involving child custody issues like termination of custody, child support, foster care, and more.
Public Interest Attorneys
A public interest attorney is a lawyer who works with non-profit groups and legal aid organizations for the public good. These lawyers coordinate with organizations working with kids like foster care advocacy societies, homeless children rescue groups, immigrant and refugee advocacy organizations, and more. Public interest lawyers represent children in court and guide them in getting the help and resources they need to thrive.
Fortunately, you can find experienced child custody attorneys in Virginia Beach to handle your child custody case with care. The experts at Coastal Virginia Law are ready to help–reach out today and let us make sure your custody case goes as smoothly as possible.