Have Questions About Custody Rights?
The biggest concern for many divorcing or unwed fathers is the ability to maintain frequent contact with their children. Do you need to establish paternity of your child in order to gain custody rights? Are you worried that a judge will consider your gender when awarding physical and legal custody? Do you have questions about whether mothers fare better when judges establish parenting plans for visitation and holidays?

If you have these or similar questions, you should speak to a local family law attorney who can explain your parental rights and legal options and advocate on your behalf, if necessary. Custody case are challenging, so having an experienced lawyer guide you through the process can increase the likelihood of receiving a custody plan that meets your child’s best interests and provides you with regular and meaningful time with your child.

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. There are many family law attorneys that focus their practice on working with fathers, so you may want to search for a father’s rights lawyer.

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 father’s rights and cases 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.