Here are a few signs you should hire a child custody lawyer.
Divorce is an incredibly emotional and stressful event in life. Not only are couples being faced with an entirely new way of life for themselves, but if children are involved, the divorce process is much more complicated.
For parents in the middle of a divorce, it is essential to seek the advice of an experienced child custody lawyer. While not all divorce or family lawyers have the same experience, we at The Mastracci Law Office have years of experience handling child custody agreements. Here are a few signs you should hire a child custody lawyer.
The Other Party has a Lawyer
If the other parent has already retained a child custody lawyer, they’re one step ahead of you. Family law attorneys are experienced, educated, and skilled in these cases. You don’t want less custody than the other parent because you chose not to hire a lawyer.
You want to be at the same level when you go into the courtroom with your former partner. Hiring a child custody lawyer will help you achieve that. The benefits of hiring an attorney include:
- Fill out and submit the correct documentation
- Gathering evidence
- Obtaining statements from character witnesses when necessary
- Professionally arguing your case
- An experienced child custody lawyer will favorably present your case.
You Believe Your Child Is in Danger
If you believe your child would be in danger if they were put into the custody of the other parent, contact a child custody lawyer immediately.
Proving that the other parent is unfit — meaning they will not or cannot provide the conditions necessary for a child to maintain physical and emotional well-being — can give you grounds for obtaining full custody. If you receive sole custody of your child, you may also be eligible for child support payments from the other parent to fulfill the child’s needs. An attorney will help maximize financial support to provide for your child.
You Have a Complicated Case
Not all child custody cases are the same. Your case may have complications that only a child custody lawyer can settle. Some of these complications can include:
- You live in a different state or country
- You and the other parent have a tumultuous relationship
- Your child has special needs
- You are remarrying
You may face child custody laws in a different state or country, or your new partner may be a factor. A lawyer can help you understand all laws at work in your particular situation and offer advice on managing the realities of custody and visitation.
The Right Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
Hiring a lawyer should be the first thing you do when encountering any legal matter, not a last resort. Whether you’re thinking about a separation or divorce or have been charged with a crime, been injured in an accident, or your civil rights have been violated, you need to first know your rights. Contact Mike Mastracci today at 614 Edmondson Ave Catonsville, MD 21228 (with satellite offices in Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Salisbury, Maryland), 410-869-3400, and check us out on Facebook.