What does a child custody lawyer do?
Child custody lawyers help parents establish, modify and enforce custody and parenting-time arrangements. Courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, weighing factors such as each parent’s involvement, stability and the child’s needs.
An attorney can help you prepare a workable parenting plan, present evidence effectively, and respond quickly if the other parent violates an order or plans to relocate.
Common child custody cases
- Legal and physical custody
- Parenting plans and visitation
- Custody modifications
- Relocation disputes
- Enforcement of custody orders
- Grandparents’ rights
When should you hire a child custody lawyer?
- You are separating and need a custody arrangement
- Circumstances have changed and the current order no longer works
- The other parent is not following the order or wants to move away
How much does a child custody lawyer cost?
Custody cases are typically billed hourly against a retainer. Costs depend heavily on whether the parents can reach agreement.
Questions to ask in your consultation
- What factors will the court focus on in my situation?
- Should a guardian ad litem or custody evaluator be involved?
- How can we keep the process as low-conflict as possible for the children?