what to ask during paternity lawyer cousultation

Some questions you should ask include: ■ Where did you go to law school? ■ Are you certified as a specialist in Family Law?

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How can I prepare for a custody dispute?

If you have any further questions or would like to set up a free consultation to discuss your matter further, please feel free to contact my office at (337)237-0492 and set up an appointment.... Read More. The short answer is, no. You will have to wait until your child is …

What questions should I Ask my attorney during a consultation?

Answer: Your son needs to consult an attorney in the jurisdiction where the child resides. You may be able to obtain a paternity test before filing an action with the Court. Once your son receives the test results, he can decide how to proceed; if he is found to be the biological father of the child he will want to file an action to establish ...

What should you do if the other parent threatens your child custody?

Jul 21, 2014 · 2. Legal documents (court orders, marriage or birth certificates) Has there been a custody order already entered by the court? Is there an upcoming court date? Bringing any and all legal documents that have already been issued by the court can help your attorney get the full picture of what has been happening before you met with him or her.

Do I need a lawyer for a child custody case?

Relevant questions to ask include: What is your opinion and assessment of my child custody case? What kind of resolution can I expect? What potential problems could affect the outcome of my case? Will we have to go to trial? How long would it reasonably take to resolve my child custody issues? Is ...

Background Questions for Custody Attorneys

Questions to ask about a child custody attorney's legal education and professional experience include:

Legal Philosophy & Style

You'll want to ask about the custody lawyer's style and approach to practicing law. Among the questions to consider asking:

Assessment of Your Child Custody Case

Get the lawyer's assessment of your case. Relevant questions to ask include:

Case Management

Questions to ask about how your custody issue will be managed include:

Legal Fees

Questions to ask about the estimated cost of your custody case include:

At the End of Your Meeting

Before the meeting ends, ask the lawyer if there are other questions you should have asked, or anything else the attorney wants to tell you. Is there anything you should know before deciding whether to hire him or her?

Hiring a Child Custody Attorney

Once you've had the opportunity to meet one or more attorneys, you'll need to review the results of those meetings before deciding which lawyer to hire. Among the factors to consider:

What does the court consider when awarding custody?

Generally, the court will consider the best interests of the child when determining to whom and in what manner to award custody. The factors that the court looks at are usually based on a family law that specifies relevant factors or case law in which judges have stated in past cases what factors can influence their decisions.

What factors are considered in a child custody case?

The court may consider factors specific to the child, such as the child’s age, sex and development. The court may also consider how close the child’s bond is to each parent and to siblings. If the child is old enough, his or her preferences may be considered by the court.

What is sole custody?

Sole custody is when one parent has nearly all of the rights and responsibilities related to raising the child. Some states differentiate between physical and legal custody. Legal custody means the right of the parent to make decisions for the child.

Does Ohio have a right to choose which parent to give custody of a child?

As of 1991, Ohio officially no longer recognized the right of a child to choose which parent would receive custody. However, under certain circumstance, Ohio law requires that, when making a custody determination, a Court consider the wishes and concerns of a child regarding the child’s care. The Court is not bound by the child’s wishes, regardless of that child’s age. Instead, the court considers the child’s wishes and concerns as well as additional factors including:

What is sole custody?

In fact, the term “sole custody” really pertains to decision-making. If a parent has sole custody, he or she will be responsible for making the decisions concerning the issues affecting their child. These issues include, but are not limited to, health, religion, education and, extracurricular activities Sole custody does equate to more ...

What is shared parenting?

Shared parenting, in its purist form, is an arrangement in which parents make joint decisions concerning issues affecting their child. These issues include, but are not limited to, health, religion, education and, extracurricular activities. The details of specific arrangements for each family are memorialized in a document called ...

What to ask a lawyer about a case?

An important question to ask a lawyer is what the strategy for your case will be and the outcome the lawyer expects. You’ll want to get details on what kind of procedures to expect. Ask how long it will take for the entire case to be resolved. Discuss the legal strategies that will be used. Find out if your attorney will attempt to settle and if mediation or arbitration are options. Think about the answers and if you are comfortable with them. Maybe you want to avoid a trial at all costs but your attorney really wants to just go to trial, or perhaps you have no intention of settling and want your day in court. It is important that your lawyer’s strategy lines up with your needs.

Why do lawyers offer free consultations?

Most lawyers offer a free consultation so that you have a chance to determine if he or she is the right person for you. Going to the first meeting with some simple questions can help you ensure you find the right person for the legal help you need. You will not get much legal advice at this consult since it is not meant to resolve your legal ...

What is a meeting with a lawyer?

Meeting with a lawyer for an initial consultation is generally not a chance to ask legal questions that are in depth, but is instead an opportunity to get a sense as to whether this lawyer is the right one to handle your case. Use this meeting to help you decide which lawyer will be the best one for your case.

Why is it important to meet with a small business attorney?

Meeting with a small business attorney is an important way to get your business off to a good start and minimize future risks. Here are questions to ask at your first meeting.

How to feel comfortable with an attorney?

You should feel comfortable from the beginning of your attorney-client relationship that you will be able to have regular communications with your counsel. Make sure that you exchange contact information and agree on the ways that you will stay in touch.

How can a lawyer save you money?

Your lawyer can often save you money by delegating routine tasks to firm employees who charge a lower hourly rate. However, your lawyer should be involved in all key aspects and decisions of your case, or should explain to you why a colleague can handle some important part of the matter just as well.

What is the importance of having a lawyer?

Getting a lawyer with the right legal background is essential, but it is also important to know whether your attorney has experience with the judges who will likely preside over your case. If yours is a criminal matter, it is important to know if your lawyer knows the local prosecutors. This courtroom experience can greatly enhance your lawyer’s ability to evaluate the likely outcomes in your case and give you advice that you can rely on.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys in every state have an ethical obligation to advise you of any conflict of interest. Still, you should ask the question. If the lawyer’s representation of prior or existing clients would limit the attorney’s ability to represent you, there is likely a conflict. For example, if you want to sue a hospital that the potential lawyer regularly ...

What is the process of a civil case?

In civil cases, your lawyer might propose mediation , a settlement negotiation process involving a neutral third-party. Other times, arbitration might be an option. Arbitration— using a private service to adjudicate a dispute—is a less formal, less costly, and faster way of getting a decision in some civil matters.

What is contingency fee?

In cases where you are suing for monetary damages, the lawyer may represent you for a “contingency fee.”. This means the attorney gets paid a portion (typically one-third) of the amount you receive after a successful trial or settlement. Make sure you discuss expenses as well as attorney fees.

What to do when asking lawyer interview questions?

The best thing you can do when asking your lawyer-client interview questions during your initial consultation is just listen. This is the time when the client should be doing most of the talking. Follow client communication best practices and try to avoid cutting them off or filling in pauses.

How to conduct a conflict check?

Conduct a thoughtful pre-screen and conflict check 1 Pre-screen: Before you book the interview, have a set pre-screening process. Ask for basic information (for example, via an intake questionnaire) to help you decide if the client may (or may not) be a fit for your firm. You can make this process simpler for the client by using an online intake forms tool, like Clio Grow. 2 Conflict check: You’ll also want to do a conflict check before proceeding to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or other reasons that will prevent you from working with someone. Here again, an online intake tool can make this easier for you and the client. Clio Grow, for example, can be part of a robust conflict check process.

Why is client interview important?

The client interview is part of your overall client intake process, so it’s important to track it for efficiency and ensure that no potential clients get missed. If you’re using online client intake software, you can easily track and see a potential client’s status in stages (for example, “needs a follow up”).

How to make a client feel comfortable?

You may deal with the law every day, but pursuing a legal issue can be stressful, draining, and even scary for potential clients. With this in mind, do your best to be emotionally sensitive and make them feel as at ease as possible.

Is it bad to not show up for an interview?

Especially if you’ve taken the time to thoroughly prepare for the interview, there’s nothing worse than a no-show. While some no-shows are unavoidable, often a simple confirmation email and a reminder can ensure your potential client makes the meeting.