Battling over the custody of a child can be a grueling process, especially if you have a less than desirable relationship with your former spouse. Disagreements are bound to arise, and there are no guarantees that the judge will rule in your favor.
However, the whole ordeal can be made much easier if you have a custody lawyer on your side. They’ll be able to advise you on the legalities surrounding your case, and speak on your behalf when the time comes. They’ll also make dealing with your former spouse less hostile, as they can act as an intermediary of sorts.
If you’re not sure whether or not you need the help of a lawyer in the first place, here are four signs that signify it’s time to do so.
1. Your former spouse has a lawyer of their own
If you know that your ex has hired a lawyer or suspect that they will, then it’s in your best interest to do the same. You want to maintain a level playing field in court, and not having a lawyer on your side when you ex does will mean that the odds are heavily swayed against you.
2. You don’t fully grasp legal proceedings
Many custody hearings tend to be short, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a possibility of surprises. If you’re not fully prepared to deal with unexpected situations you might face in court, then it’s probably a good idea for you to hire legal counsel who can make difficult decisions when they arise.
3. You’re not sure what the ideal outcome should
Some parents might not know for certain what the best outcome would be in their custody battle. Should a parent fight for sole legal custody, joint physical custody or visitation rights? In a situation where you are weighing the best case scenario we suggest you seek advice from a lawyer who can figure this out for you. They’ll have plenty of past experience in cases like yours, and they could offer an objective assessment pertaining to the welfare of the children involved.
4. You are being threatened by the other party
If verbal threats or physical violence occur at any time during the custody battle, then it means that your situation has become severe. This threatening behavior can put the children under more stress, and it’s in everyone’s best interest that a swift and fair ruling is achieved. A lawyer can help you do this by helping mitigate hostile situations and calling attention to these threats in court.
Conclusion
If you observe any of these signs at any point during your child custody battle, then we recommend that you hire a lawyer if you haven’t done so already. In fact, it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer long before any of these signs become present.
Give yourself the best chance during your custody hearing and hire a lawyer who can act as your guide throughout the entire process.
We are the best custody lawyers in Hackensack, NJ. If you need legal assistance for your upcoming child custody case, feel free to give us a call and we’ll be happy to help