Statistics show that 2.3 people out of every 1,000 people in the US get a divorce. And most Americans file for divorce most often between January and March.
If you have gotten a divorce and there are children involved, then you may need to hire a child custody lawyer to help you.
This kind of lawyer helps ensures that you maintain your parental rights and have some say in your child’s life.
Keep reading to find out when you need to hire a child custody lawyer.
1. It’s a Messy Situation
The reality is that a lot of divorces happen in unpleasant circumstances. You and your ex may have had a falling out, resulting in a messy divorce.
Divorce is already difficult, but it is especially difficult if there are children involved. You may need to hire a child custody lawyer to make sure you still get to see your kids.
You should do this immediately if you notice any negative signs. Your ex may be growing increasingly difficult to work with or may be unhelpful.
Some people use children out of spite to get back at their ex.
2. You Believe Your Children Are at Risk
A child custody attorney will help ensure you still have parental rights. These are rights that you may have to fight for, depending on the situation.
If you suspect that your children are in danger, you need to act. You should seek legal help so that your children can be removed from the situation as quickly as possible.
Your ex may have threatened to hurt you through your children. Or you may have started to notice signs of abuse in the home that is affecting your child’s behavior.
A lawyer can assess the situation and make sure you get custody of the children. They will be removed from the situation and put in your care.
3. Your Visitation Rights Aren’t Being Respected
Divorces are messy and a lot of things can go wrong quickly. If you and your ex did not end on good terms, they may not respect you as a parent.
Some exes go as far as denying your legal visitation rights. If this is happening, you need to hire a lawyer to defend your case.
In most situations, you should be allowed to have regular visitation with your children. The other parent does not have any legal right to deny you this unless the court sides with them.
A lawyer can ensure that you are able to see your children during visitation. They can also use this evidence against your ex during the final custody judgment.
4. You Have a History Of Drug Abuse
In a lot of divorces, one parent may want sole custody of the children. Because of this, they are very likely to bring up your personal history in court.
When you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, your ex may try to use this against you by showing that you are not trustworthy.
If you have this kind of personal history, you need to hire a lawyer. They can represent you and create a defense case that puts you in a positive light.
For instance, they can bring up how long you have been sober. Or that you may have gone to rehab and are currently in different support groups.
Keep in mind that any kind of negative history may be brought up in court. Most exes are not above doing this if they want to smear your reputation.
5. The Ex Has a Lawyer
Every type of divorce is going to look different depending on the people. Some divorces may even seem quite amicable on the surface.
If you and your ex have children together, you need to be very cautious. On the surface, everything may appear to go smoothly, but you may notice that your ex has a child custody lawyer.
This could be a sign that they want sole custody of the children. You should immediately hire a lawyer of your own for your defense.
They know the law and will ensure that your rights are upheld. If your ex does try to win sole custody, you won’t be at a disadvantage.
Keep in mind that it is always a good idea to have a lawyer on your side, no matter the situation. If children are involved, you definitely want to set yourself up for success.
6. Both of You Are In Different States
Sharing children with an ex can be a difficult situation. In a lot of instances, you and your ex may not live in the same state.
Living in different locations is only going to make custody agreements even more difficult. That is why you need to hire a lawyer to help you with the legal side of things.
The laws are different in each state, making custody even more difficult. You may also be struggling to have visitation if your ex isn’t cooperating.
Child Custody Lawyer: When You Need to Get One
If you have separated or divorced your spouse, this is a complicated process. It is even more complicated if children are involved in the situation.
In order to ensure fair visitation agreement, you should hire a child custody lawyer to maintain your rights.
Do you need to hire a lawyer for your situation? We’re here to help. Schedule a consultation by calling us at (402) 415-2525 or by reaching out online today!
