What to Look for in a Custody Lawyer?

Almost nothing can feel quite as stressful and daunting as dealing with a child custody situation, but finding the best child custody lawyer in Houston can help alleviate your troubles.

Quality Case Assessment

When scoping out the best child custody lawyer in Houston you should ask them several questions to get a good look at how they would assess your case and how they would handle it. First ask their opinion and overall assessment of your child custody case, and what kind of realistic resolution can be expected in the end. To extend that, you can inquire as to what kind of difficulties are likely to occur based on the available information for your case. Also consider asking how long they expect the case to take, and whether mediation or arbitration will be required.

Professional Background Information

Professional background information is important when you are searching for the best child custody lawyer in Houston. You should be asking questions about qualifications, when they started practicing law (in particular family or custody law), which professional organizations or bar associations they are members of, and the number of cases they have handled. Hopefully they are experienced in custody law cases, which means you should ask them how many cases similar to yours they have argued successfully in the past.

Good Case Management

One of the top worries when hiring the best child custody lawyer in Houston is how your case will be managed, especially if you end up going to a large law firm. You should inquire who will be handling various aspects of the case (mediations, negotiations, court appearances) so that you know who will be responsible for each part of your case. You should also ask if additional lawyers or experts will be working on the case. Status reports are important for your case and you can ask how often you can expect to receive one. Find out who your point of contact will be for any questions you may have in the future, or for calling in for updates. In this modern world, it is important to ask if phone, email, or instant messages will be the best communication channel.

Reasonable Fees

Child custody cases can get expensive, so when you are searching for the best child custody lawyer ask them about their fees and what costs could pop up throughout the case. You should ask what their base charge for their services is, such as hourly fees or expert costs. You should ask up front if they will require an initial retainer fee and find out how often you will be billed, and when you need to pay them.

Finally at the end of your first meeting when any lawyer you should ask them if there are any questions you missed, or any specific information you need that wasn’t covered. If you are looking for the best child custody lawyer in Houston begin your search with a call to Parchman Law to schedule a free consultation.