by Ollie Renner
Published 3 years ago
Updated 2 years ago
6 min read
General Rules to Determine if You Should Hire an Attorney:
If you can afford a lawyer for your child custody case AND you have a pending court date, you should hire a lawyer ASAP.
If your ex has already hired a lawyer, you should hire a lawyer.
If anything has already been filed against you in family court, and you don’t exactly understand what the implications are or what to do, hire a lawyer.
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
How do I file for custody in Kentucky without a lawyer?
For parents who want to file for child custody but who cannot afford a lawyer, filing pro se is a viable alternative....File a Petition for CustodyProof of paternity or legal parentage7.Child's birth certificate.Any existing orders related to the child.
Can I hire an attorney for my child Texas?
No one can hire independent counsel for a child. The only proper method by which a child can be represented is through the court's appointment of an attorney to act as guardian ad litem.
How much does a family lawyer cost in Texas?
How much does a family lawyer charge in Texas? The average hourly rate for a family lawyer in Texas is $279 per hour.
What is guardian ad litem?
When a petition is filed to establish a guardianship, the court appoints a guardian ad Litem (GAL). The GAL represents the client's best interests (not the client him or herself) in the guardianship proceeding. The GAL also acts as a neutral investigator for the court.
What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?
If you cannot afford a lawyer, legal aid may be able to help you. There are legal aid offices (also called legal services) throughout the United States. Legal aid offices are not-for-profit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.
What is a pro bono lawyer?
To qualify for free legal assistance, a person must comply with a 'means test' (a maximum monthly or no income) and have a legal problem with merit. You will be referred to an attorney by the Legal Practice Council who will assist you free of charge (pro bono).
How do pro bono lawyers get paid?
Usually, pro bono attorneys do not get paid. But there is the possibility that a pro bono attorney may receive some amount of compensation — or at least not lose money for taking the case. Lawyers who take pro bono cases may also receive waivers of court costs and other filing fees.
References
The best resource for parents who are seeking information on a good child custody attorney is to seek references from other people. Important references to obtain on child custody attorneys include: 1. Asking friends and family members 2. Seeking advice from court clerks at the court office 3. Inquiring of other parents, stranger…
It's important for single parents to interview a potential child custody attorney before hiring them. Some questions to ask are surrounding: 1. Personality and Style - A single parent wants to ensure that an attorney's personality and style matches his or her own. It doesn't have to be exactly the same, but a single parent should find the attorney to be approachable, as there will be a lot of qu…
If a single parent cannot afford a paid attorney, he or she may qualify for a court-appointed attorney. A court-appointed attorney will serve to represent the single parent, in the same way as a paid attorney.
Resources to Investigate The Attorney's Reputation
There are several resources that a parent may use to check an attorney's reputation, including: 1. Checking the attorney directory in your state. The attorney directory will let a parent know if an attorney is in good standing with the state bar or if their attorney's license has been suspended and if so, the reasons for suspension status. Most states require attorneys to reveal that inform…
Fire A Child Custody Attorney Who Isn't Meeting Your Needs
Don't worry about making a mistake. If the agreement between you and your attorney is no longer effective or does not meet your needs, release the attorney from his or her duties and begin a new search for a new child custody attorney. For more information about finding good attorneys, parents should refer to additional resources on child custody lawyers or a parent can speak wit…