What Will My Child Custody Attorney Ask Me?

When you are preparing to meet with a custody lawyer, it’s very normal to wonder: “What will my child custody attorney ask me?”

Read on to find out.

Your Child Custody Attorney Should Ask What You Care About the Most

The most important thing that your divorce and child custody lawyer should want to know is what you want.

Each person and family is unique. You want to find a child custody attorney whose legal and negotiation skills are top-notch, but that’s not the only thing that matters. Parenting, custody, and visitation matters are anything but “one size fits all.”

For example, one child custody client’s primary focus could be the smoothest transition possible for parenting the children, while another client’s main goal could be relocating out-of-state with the children following a divorce. Or, some clients’ priorities are either modifying existing court orders post-divorce judgment, addressing their ex’s contempt, or a combination. Finally, other clients’ priorities are financial — such as maximizing child support. In order to tailor your child custody matter to your priorities, your custody lawyer’s first task must be helping you to identify and prioritize your goals.

You’ll know your child custody attorney is committed to learning about your family, your situation, and the things that matter most to you by the questions you’re asked. (Honestly, if the divorce law firm doesn’t talk about how critical this is right on its website, it’s a good clue they probably don’t prioritize it.)

Many very skilled technically child custody lawyers fall into a trap of “just doing what they do.” They focus on what they think of as “winning,” or a good result based upon their experience. But if what they think of as a “win” isn’t what is a “win” for you — well, what’s the good of that?

Your Child Custody Lawyer Should Ask About Your Relationship with Your Co-Parent Ex

Once your child custody attorney knows about what matters most to you, she can begin the process of figuring out which of the three divorce and family law methods — litigation, collaborative divorce, and mediation –might be the right for you and your kids. After your goals, the two parents’ ability to communicate effectively (effectively — not perfectly) is a key piece of advising clients on the right approach to custody.

While we’re on this topic — make sure your family law firm has custody attorneys experienced in all three approaches so you have the maximum options. The decision of how you work through the divorce will impact you and your family for years to come. For example, you don’t want to wind-up in a litigated custody dispute just because the lawyer you met with only litigates rather than because it’s best for your family. You also don’t want to wind up in a failed mediation just because you met with an attorney who only mediates.

Next Steps

For more information about Connecticut divorce and family law, check out our Divorce Information and Facts.

If you have questions or want to learn more about how our team of divorce attorneys can help you with your custody or Post Judgment issue, please contact us here.