Tags: Attorneys, Family Law, Divorce
No one wants to think about getting divorced, but that thought becomes even harder when you have children. If you can’t agree on how to split up custody when you’re filing for divorce, you may end up fighting for it instead, which can get mean and messy. To give yourself the best chance of success, you need a top-tier lawyer like the ones at Burnham Law.
But what should you actually be looking for? If you’ve decided that it’s time to find a Denver child custody lawyer, make sure you do these things before settling on one.
Obviously, a good track record is important for law firms. You want to know that this firm can build a clear case and get the decision their clients want as frequently as possible. Remember, though, that cases have winners and losers. For one side to decisively win, the other does need to lose, which means the firm you’re looking at might have some losses on their record.
If you’re really concerned about some cases that a certain firm has lost or not excelled in, bring it up with the firm in question. More than likely, they’ll be able to give you an explanation as to why the case went that way, which can help you with that doubt.
That’s right: you should start gathering evidence before you’ve even chosen a lawyer. You don’t have to do the deep digging, or even start pulling official documents if you don’t have them yet. You just want to make a completely clear picture of your case, so law firms and individual attorneys can more accurately assess your situation.
This preliminary evidence can be as simple as writing a list of things that go in your favor or your spouse’s favor. Consider whether one of you wants more custody than the other, whether one or the other has been more involved in the care and raising of the children thus far, and what might affect your ability to raise your children when you’re on your own. You can back these things up with more court-appropriate documentation later; you just need to make sure you’re letting the lawyer know about it as soon as possible.
Obviously, you want the best for your children, but your idea of the perfect situation might not match up with a judge’s idea. Even though you might not get it, write down what that perfect situation would be. Do you want full custody? Do you think child support should be part of the settlement? Are you eager to settle outside of court?
Then, write down what you’d be willing to accept, even if it’s not the ideal. You might ideally want full custody, but are you willing for your spouse to have weekends? You may want a certain amount of child support, but would you be able to settle for less support or different types of support? This can help temper your expectations, making it easier for you to accept a less-than-perfect settlement.
The most important thing to do is communicate. You need to be communicating with everyone: your lawyer, your children, and your spouse. That’s the best way to make sure you settle your case with as little frustration and fighting as possible, and that’s great for everyone involved.
When you’re first searching for a lawyer, communication is incredibly important. You don’t want your lawyer to sign onto your case only to discover that they actually don’t specialize in the issues you’re having; at that point, you’ll have wasted your own time and the lawyer’s time. Tell them the genuine details of the case, both good and bad, so you can start your professional relationship on the right foot.
It can seem impossible to get the right Denver child custody lawyer, but it’s not. There are high-quality firms like Burnham Law that are actively working to make sure you get the lawyer you deserve. Keep these tenets in mind while you’re searching, and you’ll find a lawyer that will help you, your children, and your spouse end up with a settlement you’re comfortable with.