how many hours will a lawyer work on a child custody case

by Alanna Will 6 min read

Custody hearings tend to be very short. Most hearings will take less than two hours. The length of the hearing will depend on how many issues there are in your case. If you only have one small issue to work out, the hearing could be as quick as 20 minutes.

Full Answer

How much does a child custody lawyer cost?

May 15, 2020 · Child custody issues are ultimately decided by the judge's view of the best interests of the child. But, an attorney will partner with you to show strong evidence of why you deserve parental rights. 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.

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

It is comparable to having your attorney on call. An amount of money, typically based on the attorney’s hourly rate, is placed in an account and withdrawn as costs are incurred. Generally, child custody attorneys choose a flat fee or an hourly rate. A typical flat fee for a child custody matter can be expected to range from $3,000 to $20,000.

How long does a child custody case last?

May 21, 2020 · Therefore, there's a strong chance that a child custody case won't last very long because there might be a number of sessions being conducted. Parents participating in child custody proceedings should work with their attorneys to synthesize all information and be prepared to put their best foot forward in a short amount of time.

What happens at a child custody hearing?

Dec 31, 2019 · How much does a custody lawyer cost? Attorney fees can range anywhere from $85 to $400 or more per hour depending on the experience level of the lawyer you hire, their reputation, and their track record of success in litigating child custody cases. Some lawyers will require an upfront payment, called a retainer.

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What Factors Cause Child Custody Costs to Vary?

While child custody attorney’s fees are certainly a large portion of the cost of a child custody dispute, other considerations ultimately control h...

What Goes Into Determining A Lawyer's Fees?

The primary reasons for the large disparity in the cost of a child custody dispute are: 1. How cooperative the parties are 2. The lawyer’s fee stru...

Why Would Lawyers Charge An Hourly fee?

Hourly rates will vary greatly, depending on the relative ability of the lawyer. Expect to pay $75 - $400 an hour for a lawyer’s time. Remember, a...

Which Fee Structure Is preferable?

The only way one fee structure can be superior to the other is if one works better for you. A family law lawyer understands that. It is always a go...

Preparing For The Hearing

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Before your hearing, you must create a parenting plan. If you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on a parenting plan, then you each should submit separate plans. After deliberation of both submitted plans, the judge will enter a final parenting plan order. A parenting plan should outline a parenting schedule for each day of the ye…
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Duration of Hearing

  • Custody hearings tend to be very short. Most hearings will take less than two hours. The length of the hearing will depend on how many issues there are in your case. If you only have one small issue to work out, the hearing could be as quick as 20 minutes. Also, it is possible that there will be other people in the courtroom waiting for their hearings. This could push back your hearing a…
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What Will Happen at The Hearing?

  • At the initial custody hearing, both parents will have to testify in front of the judge about their custody proposals. The judge may ask you specific questions to help better her understanding of your case, and/or to help her decide the best interests of your child. It is important that you only answer the question the judge asks you. It is against court etiquette to answer her question wit…
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Judge’S Decision and Applicable Law

  • The judge’s legal analysis is to decide custody based on your child’s best interests. ‘Best interest’ is a very specific legal standard that the judge must use as a guideline in determining custody. It also means that most of the judge’s questions will be framed around those legal factors that determine a child’s best interest. Child custody best interest factors include, but are not limited t…
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