during child custody what if she doesn't get a lawyer

by Prof. Dudley Kiehn Sr. 4 min read

Not Hiring an Attorney to Represent You A child custody and visitation case can feel like a maze of legal paperwork, court dates, and visitation schedules. Missing even a single detail in any of these areas can have a negative impact. Your relationship with your child is too important to risk letting that happen in a child custody case.

You do not need to have an attorney for a custody dispute in most states. Representing yourself in court is your right and can have pros and cons. The obvious pro is that you will save money on legal fees. However, going to court generally means the parents cannot find a solution.May 15, 2020

Full Answer

Do you need a family law attorney for child custody cases?

Your relationship with your child is too important to risk letting that happen in a child custody case. To avoid that risk, you should look for an experienced family law attorney who can argue on your behalf in court and keep track of all the various filings, dates, and requirements.

What happens if you don’t follow a court order for child custody?

What Happens If You Don’t Follow a Court Order for Child Custody or Visitation? Violations of a court order for child custody or visitation can lead to serious consequences. First, since the arrangement is essentially a court order, violating a child custody or visitation agreement can lead to contempt of court issues.

Is not going to a custody hearing a good idea?

Not going to a hearing to determine the custody and parenting time of a child is NOT a good idea. The court can hear what dad wants to say and make changes without her input. I don't see any reason why not going would ever be more beneficial than attending the hearing.

What happens if parents can’t agree on joint legal custody?

If parents cannot agree on joint legal custody, then the judge may look to see if one parent should have sole decision-making authority due to the other’s refusal or inability to co-parent.

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What is considered an unstable home for a child?

The child may reside in a home that is not physically safe or supportive; it may have no heat, electricity, water, sewer disposal. The house may be in general ill repair. The second physical instability comes from the physical interactions that occur between family members.

Can my ex dictate who is around my child?

In general, you do not have the power to dictate which adults are around your child when they are with the other parent. When you have your child, you can decide who is present. You can decide whether to introduce them to a romantic partner or not.

What can be used against you in a custody battle?

The Reigning King of What Can Be Used Against You in a Custody Battle: Verbal or Physical Altercations. We wanted to start with the most simple pitfall to avoid: When tempers get high, it's quite alluring to get into a verbal sparring match with your ex-spouse.

How do I co-parent with a toxic parent?

6 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Co-ParentEstablish Healthy Boundaries. ... Communicate Effectively and Strategically. ... Do NOT Be Reactive. ... Let Go of What You Cannot Control. ... Remember to Take Time to Care For Yourself. ... Get Support From a San Antonio Child Custody Attorney.

What Constitutes Child Abuse?

Child abuse doesn’t have to be extreme for a parent to lose visitation or custody rights. As a general rule, in the family law context, any activit...

How Will Child Abuse Affect My Custody Case?

No one wins in a child abuse case. Both parents risk losing custody rights if the non-abusive parent knew about the abuse and didn’t prevent it. Fo...

How Do I Prove That My Child Has been Abused?

If you’re alleging that your spouse or ex partner abused your child, you’ll need a lot more than circumstantial evidence. Relatives, neighbors, fam...

Questions For Your Attorney

1. My ex has custody of our child, but I’m worried that her new boyfriend is abusing our child. What can I do to get custody? 2. Will a court convi...

My Child Custody/Visitation Court Order was Violated, What Can I do?

Parents usually violate a visitation order by keeping a child for too long or failing to pick up a child at the right time. You have many options t...

What Could Happen If A Parent Disobeys A Child Custody Court Order?

Disobeying a court child custody order may result in harsh consequences: 1. Non-violating parents could petition the court for enforcement of the o...

Should I Get A Family Law Attorney?

Yes, family law cases can be complex, especially when they involve children. An experienced child custody attorney will be able to help you enforce...