Family Lawyers: What is a Custody Lawyer?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Family Lawyers...

Hello, I'm Steven. Because there is an ever increasing need for family lawyers, there is a need for information covering everything from lawyers to what is a custody lawyer.

That's why we've created this special page to provide informative articles answering some of the many questions out there in regards to family lawyers. 
 
     
 
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Family lawyers are probably one of the most stressed people in the world, especially here in the country where divorce rate is continuously soaring to all-time highs.  Despite the stressfulness though, employment opportunities in this field of law is still growing.  One, because more and more couples are getting a divorce, and two, it is quite difficult to stay in the field.  Basically, the turn over amount is substantial.

If you are interested in becoming a lawyer and specializing in family matters, you must be geared for the job.  It’s a field that is highly sensitive and emotional, and is definitely not for the fainthearted.

Family lawyers are expected to take care of the following issues: Divorce, Spousal support, Child custody, Child support, Adoption, Paternity, Division of assets and liabilities due to divorce, Termination of parental rights, Protection from abuse, Dependency and child neglect

The above are the major issues family lawyers deal with every day and you can imagine how bloody the job could get.   Many of these lawyers could attest that things can especially get tough when both parties are decided on making the process as difficult as much as possible for each other.  Everyone knows how ugly things could get between love that has grown sour.  

Family lawyers deal with new concerns which arise daily and their to-do list could go on and on and on.  In between going through the pages , they would also be busy returning calls, negotiating various issues, preparing pleads in court, drafting correspondence, and attending hearings and motions.  Hearings and motions may last between ten minutes and two hours.  Sometimes, they may have trials that will last for several days. Sure, being a lawyer may be a prestigious job.  It comes with power and money. However, the price to pay is quite high too.


 
 
 
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A child custody lawyer is a family lawyer who specializes in handling the problems and affairs which involve children of a couple who are going through a problematic marriage.  Usually, this kind of lawyer is needed for mediation or advice when both parents clash regarding the custody of their child or children.  This may happen before the divorce, after the divorce, or even just after an unmarried couple with a child out of wedlock separates.

The lawyer is expected to handle the legal procedures concerning the child—custodial rights and other issues.

The tough thing about being a child custody lawyer is you have to hammer out the details between the warring parents of who will get the custodial rights over the child. This could be quite taxing because aside from the issue being too delicate, it could be very emotional too.

If you were a parent, you can get the picture of how horrible the proceeding could be for both adults and the child. As a lawyer, witnessing and controlling the situation to some extent could be emotionally draining.

Usually, it is decided upon whether custodial rights would be a sole custody, joint, or legal. The child custody lawyer is responsible in mediating and helping the parents decide what kind of custody they should fight for and how they should go about it.

In addition, visitation rights and plans are also arranged and set by the child custody lawyer. More often, a visitation plan goes like this: a child stays with one parent for the whole week and then stays with the other over the weekends (or every other weekend). If parents would like to appeal or revise the plan so that the set up will suit them better, then the lawyer is expected to give advice again and re-arrange the existing plan accordingly.

 
 
     
 
 

 
     
 
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A lot of people do not have an idea where to find a family attorney.  Why would they?  Who thought they’d eventually end up in a divorce anyway? When caught in a situation like this, there are a number of things you can do or people to ask to find a lawyer that may help you with your situation.
Consider asking friends, family members, bar associations, and local professionals.  All of them may give you a good list of family lawyers in town.

Friends and Family -- The easiest way to know about some family lawyers is by asking relatives and friends whether they know any.  Word of mouth is a great place to start and can be quite reliable since they have (or someone they know have) the first-hand experience with the person.  Another good thing about asking close family and friends is you will not have to spend time browsing through yellow pages for some unknown names.  However, the disadvantage is getting referrals may bring you to the wrong attorney.  Meaning, he or she may not be as experienced as you wish he or she would be.  This is especially disadvantageous when there are other issues you’d like to settle that may require some expertise.  For instance, child custody and real estate.

State Bar Association – Contacting the state bar association can easily give you referrals to family lawyers within the area.  This service is for free.

Professionals – Talk to professionals in the community who deal with lawyers on a regular basis.  For example, doctors, counselors, psychologists, support groups, clergy, social workers, financial advisors, and accountants.  You may feel more comfortable asking them than family and friends.

These are the channels you can use to find good family lawyers who may help you with your situation.  Make sure that you exhaust all of them before settling for who you think is the best one.

 
 
 
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Separation or divorce could be very painful especially if there is a child in the equation.  Naturally, custodial rights should be discussed and arranged.  In order to make things a little easier on all parties involved, it is a must that the warring parents both find a sensible and reliable custody lawyer who will see them through the whole process.

What makes a good custody lawyer?  Below is a list of some of the traits he or she should have:

Problem solver – There is obviously a problem that is why you are calling a lawyer.  He or she should have the skills on how to go through a problem and find a reasonable solution for it.  Your lawyer should be able to come up with a good strategy for your case.  He or she may be willing to settle out of court, but is equally willing to go to trials when the need arises.

Proactive – A proactive child custody lawyer is someone who can develop a tactic which will initiate action, requiring the opposing party to react or respond.  He or she is not passive and does not wait for the other counsel’s push to react.  With this kind of strategy, the other side may have little opportunity to go on the offensive.  Therefore, the odds are on your side.

Approachable – It is important that a custody lawyer is approachable.  First off, parents dealing with personal problems and issues regarding their children could be very touchy. Having a lawyer who doesn’t seem to care is the last thing they need. 

You must find an attorney who is easy to talk to and easy to reach.  Someone who knows how to return calls in a timely manner.  However, do not misinterpret that an approachable attorney is someone who’d spend time chitchatting with you.  He or she will listen and converse with you as necessary and would politely tell you when he or she thinks you are already off the topic.