QUESTIONS: Lawyer Consultation Process For Child Custody Cases
By Jake Hornstein & Greg Hill, Our Children Have Rights .Org (OCHR)
Not selecting the RIGHT attorney is the most common mistake while navigating the child custody & co-parenting process. We’ve included some of our prepared questions that we provide parents during the process of identifying the RIGHT attorney, given their circumstances. The questions are basic & simple, yet EXTREMELY important. We provide questions that parents generally don't think to ask. Better equipped parents can avoid costly mistakes.
General Questions About Custody Law:
How much of your practice is family law, specifically custody law? Not hiring an attorney that regularly practices custody law is a major common mistake.
How many custody cases have you done? What were the results of your last 10?
What’s your general approach in handling child custody cases?
What kind of custody arrangement do you believe most benefits children?
Outside circumstances of abuse or neglect, the responses should focus on coparenting. Responses focused on sole custody or anything that suggests denying a child access to an accountable parent are RED flags. Judges pay close attention to this approach. Good custody lawyers know this. This is a test!
Fees & Case Management:
What’s your hourly rate? Do you require a retainer? What other expenses might I occur?
Will you personally manage my case or will someone else? Will you personally handle my custody negotiations & court appearances? Will you be my primary contact?
When you are done, ask yourself:
How comfortable are you with the lawyer’s approach? Will he or she work to get what you believe is in the best interest of your child(ren)?
Is the lawyer actually listening to your questions, or merely eager to get your retainer?
Don’t get blindsided. Establishing trust upfront is critical. Don’t settle if you are unsure. You’ll be paying your lawyer a lot of money to work for you, on behalf of your children. Visit our website for our full list of questions. Or reach out for no cost direct engagements. Parents dictate the method of communication (phone, email, Zoom etc.). Engagements are on an on-going, as needed basis.
OCHR is a 501c3 nonprofit that helps parents more seamlessly navigate their child custody & co-parenting journeys, at no cost to the family.
If you, or someone you know, needs our assistance, we’re here for you. We’re on a mission… A mission to protect the rights of children to have access to both responsible parents by providing education, resources, and support services for successful co-parenting. Why? Because Our Children Have Rights.
Contact Jake at JakeHornstein@OurChildrenHaveRights.com or www.OCHR.Org To donate: www.ourchildrenhaverights.org/donate.