how does an attorney for the child works in a custodial case?

An attorney will handle everything from A to Z, including:

• Filing complicated paperwork with the right people at the right times (pre-trial orders, child support worksheets, ex-parte temporary custody orders, etc.)
• Gathering personal character references, coaching on reference letters, and preparing witnesses for court
• Providing insight on the judge you are assigned
• Developing a strategy on your approach and attitude during the custody hearing

Full Answer

Should I hire a lawyer for my child custody case?

A lawyer may also help with your child custody case: Issues of child custody, in many cases, come hand-in-hand with child support cases. As your custody arrangements will directly affect your relationship with your children, it may be the best option to hire a lawyer.

Who is the custodial parent in a custody case?

The term custodial parent is often misunderstood. In a child custody case, the custodial parent is parent with sole custody, or if joint custody is awarded, the parent with the majority of the parenting time.

Why do I need a lawyer for child support?

Having a lawyer on your side will help you provide accurate information so you can ensure the child support order is the right amount needed to properly care for your child. A lawyer may also help with your child custody case: Issues of child custody, in many cases, come hand-in-hand with child support cases.

How does child custody work in a divorce?

Child custody can refer to where your children will live after divorce (physical custody), or who has the legal right to make decisions about their upbringing (legal custody). In each scenario, parents may jointly share the responsibility or the courts may award one parent solely.

What does an attorney ad litem do in Arkansas?

Ad Litems represent children and other incapacitated persons in legal matters, most often custody disputes. The parents have to pay for the ad litem on top of their own lawyer fees.

What is considered an unstable home for a child?

The child may reside in a home that is not physically safe or supportive; it may have no heat, electricity, water, sewer disposal. The house may be in general ill repair. The second physical instability comes from the physical interactions that occur between family members.

What can cause you to lose custody of a child?

Most Common Reasons Why Parents Lose Child CustodyChild abuse or neglect.Spousal abuse.Drug or alcohol abuse or addiction.Alienation and false claims about noncustodial parent.Violation of custody order or parenting time.Significant health issue.

What can cause a mother to lose custody?

Even after winning legal custody of the child after the divorce, it's still possible for the mother to lose her custodial rights based on strong grounds of violence, substance abuse, addiction and violations of court orders.

What defines an unstable household?

Family instability refers to changes in parents' residential and romantic partnerships, such as marriage, divorce, and romantic partners moving in or out of the home.

What is considered a stable environment for a child?

A stable environment provides a sense of constancy, predictability, routine, and continuity, essential to child well-being. Children should never be caught in loyalty conflicts between their parents, and need to be assured that the care and nurture of each of their parents will not be interrupted.

How does an unstable home affect a child?

Children experiencing residential instability demonstrate worse academic and social outcomes than their residentially-stable peers, such as lower vocabulary skills, problem behaviors, grade retention, increased high school drop-out rates, and lower adult educational attainment.

What do social services look for in a home visit?

Aside from food, water, and shelter, kids also need to have fun. The social worker will look for some toys, or other items that belong to your kids. Don't panic if your children's room is a little messy, the social worker is only making sure they have a livable space in your home.