When hiring a child custody attorney for women, you should choose the most experienced and competent person you can find. You can tell that a lawyer will provide you with good service if they are open and honest, have a good reputation, impress you during the initial consultation, have a good track record, and possess excellent communication skills.
5 Signs of an Experienced Child Custody Attorney for Women
1. They Are Open and Honest
The best lawyers are those who are honest with you from the start and don’t sugarcoat your situation or make empty promises. When you first approach a custody lawyer, they should take the time to listen to what you have to say and then give you a better idea of the outcome you can expect. An experienced attorney might mention several possibilities, including a best and worst-case scenario, and show you how they can increase your chance of success.
You should also make sure that you know what kind of fee structure the lawyer works with. There are several models, such as hourly billing or a one-off charge for taking on the case. The best fee structure depends on your individual situation. A lawyer with plenty of experience will be able to accurately estimate the time your case might take and suggest a fair billing system.
2. They Have a Good Reputation in the Legal Community
The laws surrounding child custody are complex, and they vary depending on your location. Experienced child custody attorneys know both the federal and the state laws and can therefore help you get the desired outcome. One of the best ways of identifying a great lawyer is to check their reputation in the legal community.
Have they graduated from a reputable university? And are they a part of important organizations such as the Ohio State Bar Association’s Council of Delegates? If so, it’s likely that they have the necessary experience to help you fight for your custody rights.
3. They Inspire Trust During the Initial Consultation
Many top custody lawyers for women in Columbus OH offer free initial consultations, during which you can meet your attorney and find out more about them. Don’t hesitate to book a consultation, even if you’re not sure whether you want to work with the lawyer in question. This first meeting can help you decide whether they are a good fit.
An experienced attorney will listen attentively and make notes while you tell them about your case. They will know the kinds of questions they need to ask to get a clear picture of your situation. For instance, they might ask you about your history with your spouse and your children and what your ideal outcome is. Then, they can let you know how they will approach your case.
4. They Have the Track Record to Back Up their Claims
Almost 80% of custodial parents in the US are mothers, but that doesn’t mean that you automatically have a better chance of getting full custody than your former partner. If both parents would like to have their children living with them, the situation can get complicated, and you may need to take your spouse to court. In this case, the judge will determine which parent is more likely to provide the children with a stable, supportive, and loving home.
If you work with an experienced attorney, you will have a better chance of success because the lawyer has worked on similar cases before and therefore knows what kind of evidence you need. Before you decide to hire them, you should make sure that they have worked on similar cases before. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their professional history and what the outcome of previous cases was.
5. They Have Excellent Communication Skills
The statistics related to single parents are bleak. Over 18% of working custodial parents live below the poverty line, and the average child custody payment is under $3,500 per year. To prevent financial problems, you should hire a lawyer who is excellent at communicating with both you and the other party. They should be professional and friendly, but they should also be very assertive when discussing your rights with your spouse or their lawyer.
The easiest way to find out whether a lawyer is experienced enough to handle your case is to speak to them in person. You can check how they interact with you and whether you feel safe telling them the intimate details of your case. To find out whether they will be aggressive enough, you can ask them to describe strategies they have used when working on similar cases.
Hiring an experienced child custody attorney for women is important because it increases your chances of getting the desired outcome. You can find the best lawyers by checking their reputation, attending an initial consultation, asking about their track record, and evaluating their communication skills.
