What are some good questions to ask a lawyer? -

Here is the situation, my fiance is trying to get custody of his 1 1/2 yr old daughter. Our consultation with the lawyer is Thursday and we are trying to get some good questions together. Scenario: He was never married to the mother, when he left the mother, she abandoned their daughter to her mother (grandma.) When we found this out we went to the police station to see if we could go get his daughter, but we were not legally allowed, because the child support had not gone through the court system yet, to declare him the father, so he was not declared the father, so he had no right to take the child. Before the child support went through, the mom showed back up, and moved back in with grandma, and child, and then the grandma took mom to court for full custody of child, because the mom has epileptic seizures, refuses to take her medicine, not allowed to work, or drive, well the grandma now has full custody. Now that we have the money we are going in for custody.

What is your retainer?

I would want to know if he has been declared the legal father of the baby yet? If so, when did it go into effect? If it was before the grandmother was awarded full custody, could her right to full custody be overturned? If not, will the grandmother be entitled to the child support $? What are the chances of winning custody from the grandmother amp; how much time will all of this take? God bless you for being a responsible father! Best wishes..

If she is #2 then all you can ask is how often has she been involved in a case like yours and how often does she wins? Of course, most likely shell say your case is unique. How ever it comes out, for the childs sake, try to allow or be allowed visitations.

That is a horrible situation but be prepared to spend lots of money....

It seems like you have done some research on the attorney. Good for you! #1 is always find the top attorney in that specific practice area that practices law in that specific state...you can t put a price on a great family law attorney. Question 1. Based upon the information we have told you about our situation, have you dealt with similar situations and if so were you successful in winning custody. Question 2. Can you explain the process to us step by step? Question 3. What other information can we provide to you at this time to put us in the best situation to win custody of the child? Regardless of past history with your fiance and the mother, remember, always tell the truth to your lawyer. You don t want to go to court and get hit with a quot;curve ballquot;. It is important to provide your attorney with the quot;full storyquot; so he or she can provide the best representation for you and your soon to be husband. Custody battles can get ugly so be prepared to here the worst, including lies etc. and I m fully assuming based upon what you have included in this blurb that the mother is probably going to pull out all the stops! Good luck with your case and I wish you the best! It a shame though that the mother of the child is putting her mother in this horrible situation. I think you have a good shot...

how long will it take to get this resolved? what do you think my chances are of getting my child? what should I be doing or not doing in my life to get custody?

I have a 2 year old girl and I m going to court on Monday to get more access to spend with my daughter. I really doubt you will get custody of your daughter at that age, she has a 1/2 sister and they are not going to split them up. try going for regular access with your daughter for now and be the best dad in the world to her.

before you sit down with the lawyer, whom i pray and hope is an EXPERIENCED family law solicitor specialist, i d try to learn if there are specialist solicitors that work with father s rights. in most states in the usa, quot;father s rightsquot; are highly important, so that there are lawyers here that give consultations (of course they charge!) BEFORE you go to court and most definitely, BEFORE you lay out the retainer! do you know that lawyers clock your calls from the moment they hear your voice until you hang up? before you start to whittle away a retainer, wouldn t it be smarter to get some advice from a professional who knows about father s rights? if you have a big brother program there, call it. see who they know. or call your doctor to ask if s/he knows of any helpful counseling groups, BEFORE you pay the retainer. good luck! cheerio!