If you are going through a divorce, one of the most difficult issues revolves around who will be the primary caretaker of your children. Agreements related to the care of children are legally binding and determine exactly which responsibilities each parent will have. Usually, there are two primary issues to be resolved. First, who will be responsible for making legal decisions for the children? Also, where will the children physically reside on a daily basis? The latter can be a jointly shared situation, or one parent can be designated as the primary and sole caretaker. When parents cannot come to an agreement between themselves, custody lawyer can help with the legal proceedings. Here are five ways an attorney can help.
1. Familiarity with Family Law
A skilled, experienced custody lawyer will be thoroughly prepared for any issues. They will understand what the other party may be attempting and have several counter arguments prepared. This is a particularly critical asset if your situation is complicated and your spouse is fighting you for primary control.
2. Experience with Negotiation
According to the American Bar Association, less than five percent of these types of cases actually make it to a judge. That’s because in the majority of cases, parents make their own agreement before they end up at the courthouse, usually through negotiations between themselves and their attorneys. Having a trusted custody lawyer is essential during the negotiation phase because an attorney could increase the likelihood that you will get exactly what you desire while retaining your legal rights. An experienced legal counselor will negotiate for your best interests and for the best interests of your kids.
3. Confidence with Courtroom Procedures
If you do end up before a judge, a family law professional will know exactly how to present your case in its best light. They will have confidence with complex courtroom procedures, remaining organized and prepared to use evidence to support your argument.
4. Ability to Set Up Child Support
An experienced custody lawyer will be able to negotiate so that your spouse pays a sufficient amount. On the other hand, representation could ensure that you don’t overpay. Without a professional at your side, you may not know how to tackle the support issues, and you could end up with a legally binding, inequitable amount.
5. Capability to Put You and Your Children’s Interests First
When attempting to obtain the most beneficial agreement, a trusted attorney will put you and your children’s interests first. Experience in family law allows skilled counsel to understand that although this type of battle can be a contentious and stressful situation, it will ultimately be important to come up with a solution that benefits all involved parties. You need someone on your side who will fight for you while also looking out for your kids.
In the end, when making a decision, the court will place a premium on what’s in the best interests of the children. A good custody lawyer will fight for you and protect your rights so that your family is cared for and protected in the manner that they deserve.