Have Questions About Child Custody?
For parents, child custody concerns are often the most pressing and challenging issues in a divorce or separation. There are many difficult decisions to make, including:

• will parents share joint custody, or will one parent have sole custody and the other visitation
• will both parents share decision-making for the child, or will one parent have the final say on things like medical treatment and education, and
• how will parents divide parenting time, holidays, and summer vacations.

If you have questions about child custody, it's important to speak to an experienced custody attorney, who practices in your area and is familiar with state and local laws and court rules. A seasoned attorney can explain your legal rights and responsibilities regarding your child, can guide you toward a solution based on your child's best interests, and present legal options based on your specific circumstances.

Look for a custody attorney whose experience matches your needs. Are you considering relocating out of state—or another country—with your child? Then make sure the lawyer you hire has a special focus on move-away cases. Ask questions about your potential attorney’s legal background, specializations, and number of years spent practicing child custody. When facing these types of emotionally-charged and life-changing issues, it’s essential to find a highly-experienced lawyer you can trust.

Looking for a Lawyer?
At Lawyers.com, you’ll find a user-friendly search tool that allows you to tailor results by area of law and geography. You can also search for attorneys by name. Attorney profiles prominently display contact information, list topics of expertise, and show ratings—by both clients and other legal professionals.

Ready to Meet With a Lawyer?
Before hiring a lawyer or law firm, make sure to speak directly—preferably in person—to the attorney who will be primarily responsible for handling your case. Consider bringing to the conversation a list of questions and any documentation related to your case. Remember that you don’t need to hire the first lawyer you consult and that, first and foremost, you want a lawyer you trust.

What to Ask a Lawyer
When gathering your thoughts and documents, think about what you’ll want to ask the lawyer. Consider including on your list questions about:

• the attorney-client privilege
• the lawyer’s experience with child custody issues like yours
• the lawyer’s familiarity with the relevant court system
• how often the lawyer goes to trial (as opposed to settling)
• who else will work on your case
• attorneys’ fees and other expenses related to the case (including how the cost might increase as the case moves to other stages, like trial)
• how long the case might take, and
• the lawyer’s initial impressions of your case and options.