Orange County
Family Law Attorney

Going through a child custody battle can be the most difficult experience of a parent's life. To win, you must present your best case to the judge. Here are some of the most common mistakes made by parents when fighting for custody of their child.

• Do not have necessary heated confrontations with the other parent;
• Don't make derogatory remarks about the other parent in the presence of your child;
• Don't Coach your child to take your side;
• Don't Getting Arrested;
• Do Not Post online derogatory statements or comments about the other parent;
• Do not make dumb arguments in Family Court;
• Do not send your Ex inappropriate or threatening text messages, emails, or voice messages that invariably will be shown to the judge;
• Do not Use Illegal Drugs or substances;
• Don't deny Court ordered visitation or fail to pay child support per Court orders;
• Do not write a letter or call the judge;
• Do not show up at Court inappropriately;
• Do not buy an expensive item or take a trip when you are claiming you can't afford legal expenses or child support.
• Do not fail to show up for supervised visits without a good excuse & without calling Family Services & the other parent.
• Do not get the child involved with a new boyfriend or girlfriend, especially one with a criminal history.
• Do not leave the state without informing the other parent of where you are going & when you will be returning.

Child custody is probably the most emotional and important issue for parents facing divorce. Usually, several types of child custody are described in most standard law books:

• Physical Custody
• Legal Custody
• Temporary Custody

This depends on the circumstances. If you and the other parent basically get along and can work out a custody agreement, you are probably fine just doing it on your own. But even so, you'll require a lawyer who can work out these arrangements in legal terms & one that will be accepted in a court of law. However, if there is a custody battle and the other parent has hired a lawyer, don't compromise. You should hire a lawyer and prepare for Court.

Becoming a California family lawyer is one of the most distinguished and well-paying careers in the state, with millions of people vying for it. But aspiring to be a family lawyer and actually working toward this long-term goal are two entirely different things. So, what exactly does it mean to be a family lawyer, and what procedures must be followed to become one? Here are the essential requirements:

• Get a Bachelor's Degree
• Pass the LSAT
• Attend Law School to Acquire Juris Doctor Degree
• Take the MPRE & Bar Exam

The role of a family lawyer really cannot be ignored. You can trust all legal issues with your lawyer from child custody, guardianship, & even divorce. The lawyer can also handle surrogacy issues, spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, property settlement, and child rights issues, among many others. Here a few essential benefits of being a family lawyer:

• Being able to save someone's marriage & family dispute;
• Being able to give practical & sound advice during emotional times;
• Providing the guidance & resources to remove someone from a dangerous situation
• The ability to turn negatives into successes
• Assessing & advising a client on his or her legal rights
• Using lessons learned from life & the lawyer's unique perspective;
• Being a voice for children & looking out for their best interests
• The journey to becoming a better lawyer & having a fulfilling career;
• Family law gives a lawyer a deeper appreciation for their family & the role the lawyer wants & needs to play in their family;
• Educating clients on the task at hand & giving them tools that will help them down the road.

The stage in your life that jolts you & your family in a messy way is a child's custody or family law dispute. You might be looking for a good Child Custody Attorney if you're going through a child custody or any family law matter, but before you employ a Child Custody Attorney, here are few tips to consider:~

Family & Friends

You can easily find information about attorneys and lawyers by asking for references from close friends and relatives. If a family member has gone through any child custody proceedings, you can enquire about the Child Custody Attorney who has worked with them. After getting the referrals, you can start your search for a good Child Custody Attorney.

Contact the State Bar Association

If you're looking for a seasoned Child Custody Attorney in your area, then call the state bar association to ask about referral programs. They will help you with the Child Custody Attorney according to your requirements, but this process could sometimes be time-consuming.

Search Online

You can search online, where you will find contact details of various Child Custody Attorneys and law firms that are located in your area. You can choose a lawyer and search for more information before making a final decision.

Attend Free Initial Consultations

If you are not 100% sure about the services offered by the Child Custody Attorney, then you can go for a free initial consultation. This will help you to understand what type of services will be provided by the attorney.

Ask questions

Get a list of questions that you want to know about when talking to an attorney. Make sure to use up your full-time slot and get all the answers that you need. Remember, the attorneys are auditioning for you, and they will try to help you as much as they can during this stage of the process.

Consider the Experience

Before taking a final call, it is a must to find out the experience of the Child Custody Attorney. Check how many Child Custody cases he or she has handled so far. If your case also involves divorce and assets, then you must ensure that the lawyer has dealt with divorce or distribution cases as well.

Make a decision

Pick the attorney that makes the most sense. While many attorneys worked great for a friend, each situation is different. Make a list of everything that you are looking for in a Child Custody Attorney and choose the best option from your list. After that, start your process and try to do as much research as possible for your own case.

If all this is too much to handle - simply contact Jos Family Law.

Lawyer fees can range from $80 to $400 or more per hour, based on the lawyer's level of experience, reputation, & track record of success in child custody matters. Some lawyers will ask for an initial payment, known as a retainer. Attorneys can charge for their services in a variety of ways. A simple hourly billing procedure is usual, which means you pay by the hour for any time the lawyer spends on your case. This means every phone conversation, email, meeting, & court appearance related to your case will increase your bill.

Some attorneys charge a flat fee for child custody services. A straightforward and simple custody case would most likely have a lower flat charge than a complex or contested custody case. A typical flat fee can be between $1,000 and $5,000 or more. Finally, some attorneys bill on a retainer basis. A retainer is a fee paid to the lawyer in advance for managing your case. This retainer is used to pay the lawyer's expenses as the case progresses. If the case is completed swiftly, you may be refunded any leftover amounts in the retainer based on your agreement. If the retainer is depleted before the matter is resolved, you must make an additional payment.

Gaining a child's custody is a stressful process, and navigating the legal system may be difficult. Not everyone has the time or emotional capacity to represent themselves in Court. Here are some essential things to keep in mind if you decide to file on behalf of yourself without the assistance of a lawyer.

• Learn the child custody laws of your state.
• Consider Your Options
• Research your findings
• File a Petition for Custody
• Fill Out the Appropriate Forms
• Documents you'll need likely include:

*Proof of paternity or legal parentage

*Child's birth certificate

*Any existing orders related to the child

• Serve the Other Party
• Keep Good Records (Interaction & Other details)
• Attend Hearing & Mediation (if applicable)

Challenges You Might Face

Filing for child custody without the assistance of a lawyer carries some risks. While representing yourself, you can save money, but it is not suitable for everyone. Some risks of filing for custody on behalf of yourself include:

• *Missing court procedures or paperwork
• *Missing deadlines
• *Missing essential details.
• *Being treated less fairly
• *Misunderstanding the law.
• *Not having enough time for research & paperwork
• *Litigants are generally less likely to win than represented litigants.
• *You might be ordered to pay the other parent's legal fees if you lose.