When it comes to your children, we know you only want the best. And in a perfect world, your divorce would consist of two mature, loving parents separating as mutually and kindly as they can, while always putting the needs of their children first. But sadly, this is not a perfect world and, even if you are trying your best to be civil, there are a lot of reasons you may need a child custody lawyer to help you with your case. 

Many states require that you have a separate child custody lawyer to advocate for the child, regardless of your divorce proceedings – and if you are going to hire someone, you want the most badass child custody lawyer available. But how do you find a great child custody lawyer in Arkansas? 

What Is a Bad-Ass Child Custody Lawyer?

Before we get into how to go about hiring a bad-ass child custody lawyer, we feel like we should take a moment to define what we mean by “Bad Ass.” We’re not just talking about a lawyer who wins – we’re talking about “with great power comes great responsibility” levels of lawyering. A badass child custody lawyer should:

• Put the needs of your child above all else
• Match your ideas, beliefs, personality, and philosophy
• Have experience in your kind of case
• Have references you can speak with
• Ask a lot of questions about what you want out of the custody agreement
• Listen to you with compassion and respect
• Be willing to offer a free consultation to make sure you’re comfortable

When we say “bad-ass” we’re not trying for shock tactics with mild swears – we’re trying to convey that when someone possesses all of these attributes and more, there’s just no other way to describe them!  

Know Your Case

Every custody lawyer is versed in family law, but not all family law attorneys are experts in child custody. You want to make sure that you find someone who focuses on child welfare. There’s a huge difference between a lawyer who’s out to make money off a high-value divorce and a lawyer who puts the needs of your children first.

At Digby Law firm, our mission is to protect and uphold the rights of your children by being a true advocate. Knowing what you want and need out of this case in regards to your children’s well-being and your parental rights will help us determine how best to pursue your case. 

So know the answers to these questions before hiring one of our badass child custody lawyers:

•  What kind of custody agreement am I hoping for?
  • Do you want full custody, partial custody, or weekend visitations?
• Are there any hurdles to overcome?
  • Are there any convictions, allegations, or accusations that could put your parenting under scrutiny?
• Does my ex have a lawyer?
  • If they do, you need legal representation as well to ensure that your parental rights are not restricted. 
• Do we live in different states? 
  • Crossing jurisdictions can mean different laws and legal precedents clashing. 
• Are my children in danger?
  • If you believe your children are in danger, remove them immediately if possible. Have your lawyer file a restraining order and stay somewhere you feel safe. Always be honest with your lawyer about any abuse going on – you don’t want to lose your children to someone dangerous because you didn’t speak up. 

Knowing your case makes it easier to convey this information to your lawyer and knowledge is power! The better we understand your case and what you want out of your child custody agreement, the better we can help you. 

What Should I Expect When Working with a Child Custody Lawyer?

If you and your ex can come to an agreement outside of court, the process will be less expensive, shorter, and less emotionally damaging for everyone involved. But if you do end up in court, the judge’s job is to decide which parent is more willing and able to care for the child(ren) – and that’s who will be given primary custody. If you wish it, and if you’re both deemed equally able, you may be granted shared custody. A badass child custody lawyer will make sure that the outcome is fair and that the proceedings don’t get out of hand.  

The length of time your case takes, visitation concerns and whether or not you qualify for child support vary from case to case. So be sure to ask your lawyer about anything you have concerns about.

In fact, a truly bad-ass child custody lawyer will welcome any and all questions. We want to make sure that you feel as comfortable and confident as possible – so here are a few to help you get started:

• How many years have you been practicing?
• What is your experience with cases like mine?
• What is the most difficult part of my case?
• What is the process for handling this case?
• Will you handle my custody case, or will another attorney at the firm be handling it?
• How will you keep me informed throughout the process?
• Can I have a written copy of the fee agreement? 
• Do you spend at least 90% of your time on family law/child custody cases?
• How much will the legal representation cost?
• Will I receive copies of all the documents pertaining to my case?
• Will my calls be returned promptly?

A good lawyer will be able to answer all of these questions, and any others that you might have, clearly and in a way that makes you feel heard and comfortable. 

If you’re looking for a badass child custody lawyer in Arkansas, look no further! Just contact the Digby Law Firm and schedule your free consultation today.