Tips on legal battles

Hi there , depending on what state you are in … you can use Google , and type in state bar of (your state name). On the state bar website they should have a search for attorneys. For child support and custody you will need a family law attorney. Usually attorneys charge a retainer fee up front to get the case started. And then they charge per hour for any work on the case. Another option that may be available for you is finding a mediator. Google should be of help. If you and your co-parent decide to do mediation before going to court , it could cost less. Mediation is basically a 3rd party helps you both discuss what you want and helps come to an agreement. In some states the court will make you do this before proceeding with the court dates. You can also look up your local family law court .. and on their website they should have details about what documents / forms you will have to have completed to proceed with a court case. If you can get some of them done yourself you can save

@Marissa thanks I think we’re past mediation . So maybe getting an attorney would be next step . Do you have any advice on finding the right one ?

use the state bar website or Google to find some in your area .. you want someone that is close to your local family law court. (Look that up first) your local court will / should have form documents on there. look at the documents before you call attorneys. After you look at them try to fill them out. And know the plan you want in place. What are you actually looking for ? Once you have that in mind , and the partly completed documents at hand , call local attorneys. Ask - do you offer free consultations ? You can find at least a handful of people that will do one for free. You don’t want to be completely unaware of what needs to be done in court. So when you speak during your consult , you can cover more than just the absolute basics. And let the atty know in the consult that you have your documents partly completed and can finish them or they can finish them. Note - everything you can do yourself will save you money and time.

My dad is a 35 year attorney in Los Angeles ,CA. I am also a paralegal. And these are things I would do To save time and money. Attorneys can be very expensive. Especially if your co-parent is going to fight back / take a different stance than you in court. Court documents that are forms , it’s just completing a form about what you want and your personal info. You can do it and save a lot of money just being aware of how you can actually help. You can do some parts of it yourself and not pay hundreds per hour

@Marissa would you suggest finding an attorney local to us or where the child lives ? Diff state btw

@Marissa my husband wants to go the paralegal route but honestly I’m not familiar with any of this . Is there a big difference with paralegal vs attorney ?

I would try and find an attorney that specializes in representing dads in custody cases. I would think you need an attorney where the child lives because that is probably where you need to file.

@Christina thank you . I was initially just looking locally and didn’t think of that so I appreciate the tips !