how can i find a cheap lawyer for custody battle

Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies. Visit a law school. Contact your county or state bar association. Go to small claims court. Depending on your situation, you can employ a variety of strategies to get free legal advice or cheap legal assistance.

Full Answer

How can I win a child custody battle?

May 07, 2020 · Recommending your case to a local law school. Contacting your local bar association. Domestic abuse shelters. There are lots of options available to you if you can’t afford a custody lawyer. So even if you can’t go to a consultation, there are some options available.

How do I get a free child custody lawyer?

Pro Bono always provides free child custody lawyers for mothers that have low-income or no income at all. This agency also provides legal advice on child custody, divorce and other civil cases. However, you can directly contact them by visiting their website and state your problems.

Where can I get a free consultation for a custody battle?

Jun 27, 2020 · Ask Friends and Family One of the best ways to find professionals to work with is to ask for references from your family and friends. This gives you the ability to learn more about the lawyer’s work before speaking with them. They can fill you in on the lawyer’s retainer fees and what to expect when working with them.

Do I need a lawyer to fight for child custody?

Sep 29, 2021 · Brighter Day℠ Law is one of the top-rated child custody law firms in Colorado Springs. Contact us right now at (719) 225-4443 or chat with us online to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll identify your legal issues by asking you about your situation, and we’ll answer all your queries, too.

What does "custody" mean?

Custody according to the Thesaurus meaning means safekeeping, protection, and guardianship. The legal meaning of the term custody is not very far from this description either – it means to place the child with a guardian, usually, until the child becomes a legal major, or until emancipation.

How old do you have to be to get custody of a child?

Ensure that you take into account the choice of the child, should the child be above the age of 13. Even if you apply for custody, if your child is over 13 and chooses to stay with your spouse, all your efforts will likely go in vain.

What happens if my ex hires a lawyer?

If your ex hires a lawyer and you do not have anyone to represent you , you are automatically at a disadvantage. This is even more of an imperative point to take note of especially in cases of custody battles. You do not want to go unprepared in front of an opponent who not only has a good amount of awareness about your case but also about the law.

How does legal aid work?

Legal aid organizations do great work by providing legal support to those from low-income backgrounds. The organizations understand that the relationship between a child and a parent is a special one, and seek to reunite the child with their parent, even if the parent in question does not have money to pay for legal services. They are effective in doing so in most cases as they specialize in custody law. If you are looking for representation in your custody case, you can approach a legal aid cell in your vicinity and see if they have a lawyer who is willing to represent you.

What is a NGOs?

NGOs That Provide Free Family Law Legal Advice. Family law is the branch of law that deals with questions of custody. There are plenty of free legal aid cells and NGOs that specialize in providing help and information related to custody to parents who do not have the requisite income to hire a lawyer.

Is child custody important in a divorce?

Of all the other aspects affecting a divorce, the question of child custody is the most sensitive. While it is true that in an ideal situation, a child might benefit from the presence of both the parents, in case of a divorce, this is not always possible. Hence, it becomes tremendously important to restore this stability for ...

What does it mean when you divorce your ex?

Unfortunately, if you are going through a divorce, it probably means that your relationship with your ex-partner is no longer great. It is not uncommon for an ex-partner to use a child as leverage in divorce proceedings. Therefore, it is tremendously important that you have adequate legal representation to ensure that you retain the custody ...

Detail Your Case Needs

Before hiring a lawyer, you need to know what you want to get out of your case. This will keep you from blindly hiring a lawyer that doesn’t have your or your childrens’ best interests at heart.

Ask Friends and Family

One of the best ways to find professionals to work with is to ask for references from your family and friends. This gives you the ability to learn more about the lawyer’s work before speaking with them.

Have a Budget

Having a budget beforehand will give the lawyer an idea of what they’re working with. It also gives you an idea of where to start searching for a lawyer rather than wasting time setting up a consultation with a lawyer who is outside of your price range.

Interview

To work with the best child custody attorney, you must interview potential candidates before hiring them. Here are crucial areas you should focus on when interviewing potential child custody lawyers:

Pro Bono

If you can’t afford to pay a child custody attorney, you may qualify for a court-appointed attorney. A court-appointed will represent you, the same way a paid attorney does. The county family courts have a network of pro bono attorneys to assist with custody cases.

Make Your Decision

After interviewing multiple attorneys that handle child custody and checking the available resources, review your notes on each candidate and compare your likes and dislikes. Consider costs and fees, too, and choose the best fit for your needs and budget.

Do You Need the Best Child Custody Attorney in Colorado Springs?

If you’re dealing with a child custody battle in Colorado Springs, then you need help from an experienced family lawyer in Colorado Springs that knows child custody laws. Brighter Day℠ Law is one of the top-rated child custody law firms in Colorado Springs.

How to win custody battle?

How to Fight and Win a Custody Battle. The first and most important thing to do if you’re going through a child custody battle with your ex is knowing why you’re fighting for custody in the first place. There are a lot of people out there who want , or need, to win their child custody cases, but don’t know exactly what they’re fighting for.

What to do if you are late to court?

If you’re late, don’t show up, or don’t let your ex know where/when/for how long your taking the kids then there’s going to be an issue.

What happens if a non-custodial parent doesn't pay child support?

Myth #7: If the non-custodial parent doesn’t pay child support, the custodial parent loses their custody rights. This isn’t true, as it is entirely up to the court to decide how much the non-custodial parent must pay in order for them to have equal custody rights (or any at all).

Is court case stressful?

Court cases are very stressful to children (even though they have no idea what’s going on) and too much stress can lead to many child hood issues like depression, anxiety or even delinquency later in life. Myth #2: The best parent is the one with custody. Again, not always true.

What is the best way to fight for custody of a child?

Emotional Focus. Any parent who fights for custody of their child is extremely invested in the outcome. You work to protect your child and to prove you’re the best choice to be the custodial parent. But your emotional commitment could cause you to lose focus if you represent yourself.

What is the goal of a child custody case?

Your goal is anything that helps you build a winning child custody case. Another point to consider is how you respond to pressure. The court requires all who appear to remain calm and behave reasonably. Custody battles are very emotional. If you lose your temper quickly or overreact, you shouldn’t represent yourself.

Why is a thorough investigation necessary?

If you’ve seen any legal proceeding, you know a thorough investigation is vital to uncover the relevant facts. An investigation takes time, and there are many things to consider in a child custody case. Every lead should be developed before you go to court. Most of us aren’t trained detectives.

What is the court system?

Court System. The court system is a complicated maze of documents, hearings, judges and other details you must handle with precision and timeliness. Paperwork must be completed correctly and filed on time and to the right place. Hearings are scheduled and mandatory. They’re difficult to reschedule.

What is a familiar process?

Familiar Process. Your lawyer will be familiar with the other parties involved. They may be aware of recent rulings or decisions by the assigned judge and use that to formulate the best strategy. They may have faced the opposing attorney and know what tactics to expect.

Does legal representation cost money?

Of course, legal representation costs money. But it could cost you more if you represent yourself. If you lose your case, the opposing side could ask the court to make you pay their legal fees. If the judge rules in their favor, you would still owe a large amount.

Is divorce expensive?

Divorce and splitting up a home can be very expensive. When you add the cost of a child custody battle, you look for somewhere, often anywhere, to cut your expenses. And since no one knows your child better than you do, you should represent yourself in court. Right?

What is a custody battle?

While child support considers the money needed to raise a child, a custody hearing (sometimes called a child custody "battle") considers the visitation rights and parenting plan that most benefits your child. If you feel frustrated that a court can tell you what is best for your child, you are not alone. Many parents think a custody order (also ...

How to get custody of a child?

An attorney will handle everything from A to Z, including: 1 Filing complicated paperwork with the right people at the right times (pre-trial orders, child support worksheets, ex-parte temporary custody orders, etc.) 2 Gathering personal character references, coaching on reference letters, and preparing witnesses for court 3 Providing insight on the judge you are assigned 4 Developing a strategy on your approach and attitude during the custody hearing 5 Gathering evidence and contacting expert witnesses (such as a forensic accountant to show your ex is spending irresponsibly or doing something illegal) 6 Helping you with your personal testimony and preparing you for tough questions from the judge

Who decides custody of a child?

Many parents think a custody order (also called "custody agreement") should be decided by the parents and not a family court. If parents can find a solution that works for both of them and, more importantly, is in their child's best interests, then they can present that solution to a judge and avoid a courtroom battle.

How much does an attorney cost?

Attorney are always a large expense that people do not plan for. Most cost $100-$500 per hour, and your case may need many hours. However, attorneys can cost less in the long run because they don't make mistakes in the process, and generally, the overall process goes faster.

Is it a right to represent yourself in court?

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. So you are looking at a complex process in front of you before you even get to the courtroom.

Can a lawyer advise you on a case?

Some law firms can advise you on a case by-the-hour, or act as your counsel outside of court. You can save money by handling all paperwork and case prep yourself, but this is a large, time-consuming feat. You can ask a lawyer to review your paperwork and help ensure it will meet the judge's expectations.

Can a parent fight for custody?

Some parents can work out a parenting plan or child custody agreement on their own , peacefully, while others will fight for what they believe is fair and right for their child. If you are preparing for a fight, you will want to consider legal help, but you have options.