If you have never needed a custody lawyer, you might not recognize the need for one when it occurs. That can leave you, your rights, and your children, unprotected. To ensure that does not happen, Dallas custody lawyer Rita M. Boyd explains four reasons you might find yourself wondering “how do I find a custody lawyer near me?”
- You are contemplating a divorce that involves minor children. Do not make the mistake of waiting until after a divorce has started to consult with a custody lawyer if you have minor children. If the prospect of divorce exists, it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced custody lawyer right away to ensure that you understand the issues that will be involved in a divorce as well as what your legal rights are with respect to your children.
- You have decided to divorce, and you cannot agree on the issue of custody. All too often a married couple makes the decision to end the marriage and initially agrees to keep the divorce civil, only to realize later that they cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. Disputes over custody of the minor children (referred to as conservatorship in Texas) is one of the most common reasons for an amicable divorce to turn adversarial. If you find yourself involved in an ongoing divorce and it becomes apparent that custody of the children will be disputed, consulting with an experienced custody lawyer as soon as possible is crucial.
- Your former spouse wants to relocate with your children. After a divorce is final, the terms of that divorce can continue to be litigated. One common reason for that is when the parent who has sole or joint conservatorship of the minor children wants to move a significant distance away from where they currently live and take the children with them. You have a legal right to object to the move, but you must assert that right in a timely manner. Contacting a custody lawyer as soon as you are notified of the intent to relocate ensures that your parental rights will be protected.
- You want to modify the terms of your Parenting Plan. Every divorce involving minor children must include a Parenting Plan. Ideally, the parties are able to agree to the terms of the plan which must include things such as who will have conservatorship of the children, a possession and access schedule, child support, and dispute resolution steps. If you or your former spouse wants to change any of the terms of your Parenting Plan you will need the court’s approval or you will need to litigate the issue in court. Consulting with a custody lawyer will help you decide how best to proceed if a change to your Parenting Plan is being considered.
How Can I Find the Right Custody Lawyer Near Me?
If you decide that a custody lawyer is needed, there are several ways you can find the right one for you. Ask family, friends, and even co-workers for a referral. Contacting your local Dallas County Bar Association’s Client Referral Program is another option. Although you should not rely entirely on a lawyer’s website when deciding who to retain, you can typically find a wealth of helpful information through online research. For example, you should be able to determine if a lawyer’s primary practice is dedicated to custody and other family law issues from perusing their website. Also be sure to prepare a list of several important questions to ask when you contact a custody lawyer. The answers to those questions can help you decide if that lawyer is the right fit for your legal issues.
Contact a Dallas Custody Lawyer
If you have additional questions or concerns about a custody issue, contact an experienced Dallas custody lawyer at Rita M. Boyd, P.C. to discuss your legal rights and options by calling 972-380-8000 to schedule your appointment today.