When Should You Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?

It is every parent’s duty to put their children’s well-being, safety, and best interest above all else. However, this isn’t always simple, and can become even more complicated when the parents are separated. 

Apart from the usual stress, divorced parents may face different situations that could require intervention from a child custody lawyer. Issues such as child support, visitation schedules, and custody arrangements crop up more commonly that you think. 

This is the time when divorcing parents can work with experienced child custody lawyers in Utah, and benefit from their time-tested advice and skilled legal representation. 

If you’re separating amicably and have been able to mutually work out a custody agreement, congratulations! But some situations make it necessary for divorcing parents to hire a child custody attorney. These situations are explained below. 

1. You Believe Your Children Are in Imminent Danger

If you believe that the living conditions or environment in the other parent’s home pose a danger to your children, you should speak with a proven child custody lawyer immediately. To help change your current custody arrangement, your lawyer will familiarize you with the legal options at your disposal. In fact, they may also seek emergency relief from the court. 

It is also a good idea to discuss about the various legal instruments that can help you protect your children from dangerous situations, such the Protection from Abuse Order. Your child custody attorney will assist you in this regard as well. 

2. Your Case Is Becoming Increasingly Complicated

Child custody cases can be extremely complex to begin with, as they involve determining the physical (who the child stays with) and the legal (which parent makes important decisions for the child) custody. Issues such as deciding on the best schedule for physical custody of the child can further complicate matters. 

As child custody lawyers in Utah, we understand that physical and legal custody issues can aggravate friction between divorcing parents, making it difficult to come to an agreement. It isn’t uncommon for legal custody issues to interfere with physical custody arrangements, like where the children will attend school or which doctor they can visit for treatment, and so on.

3. You Don’t Know How to Handle the Negotiation Process

Having an experienced child custody lawyer represent you will ensure that the case outcome is fair to you, and within the normal parameters that cases like yours fall into. 

Hiring a child custody attorney will also bring you the peace of mind that you’ve done all you could to ensure a fair negotiation process. You can rest assured knowing that you’ve shared all the relevant information with the court and the other parent. 

Seasoned child custody lawyers in Utah will also be able to anticipate issues that could arise in the future. They’ll form a strategy to successfully eliminate or at least minimize such possibilities. In turn, this will help you avoid returning to court to deal with them going forward.

4. Visitation Has Been Repeatedly Denied by the Other Parent

Once your divorce is finalized, the other parent might deny you the right to see your children. You should not have to deal with this. Until the court passes the final custody verdict, you should be able to see your children often. 

Of course, it’s best if both parents can amicably work out an arrangement that’s in the best interest of the children. For instance, one parent can keep them on weekdays, while the other on weekends and other holidays. 

However, if your ex-spouse continues to deny your visitation rights, you should consult a child custody lawyer and seek their help. Depending on your case, they’ll devise a legal strategy that helps you exercise your rights in the most assertive manner. 

5. You Have a Problematic Past

In case your past involves the use of drugs and alcohol, it is highly likely that the other parent will mention this is court. They’ll use your history against you to show you’re incapable of caring for your children, especially if they’re trying to gain sole custody. If they present evidence against you, your chances of obtaining custody of your children can take a serious hit. 

Here, you’ll need to present evidence to prove that you’re not longer doing drugs or abusing substances. You’ll also need to show that you’re a reliable and trustworthy parent who can look after the children. 

Your Utah child custody attorney will be able to guide you in this regard. They’ll help you gather and present evidence to show that your clean and sober. They’ll also help you take certain steps to improve your situation and be a better parent. 

6. The Other Parent Has Relocated

Sometimes, one parent decides to move to another city/state/country after the divorce. In such cases, custody can become complicated as you try to figure out which laws apply to you. Even if the laws are similar, physical custody and visitation can pose fresh challenges. 

This is where a skilled child custody lawyer comes into the picture. Depending on their experience in dealing with such cases, they’ll be able to help you work through the various applicable laws and manage your rights as a parent. 

7. You Want to Change the Existing Custody Order

As seasoned child custody lawyers in Utah, we regularly handle cases where one parent wants to modify an existing custody order. For instance, when a child’s school schedule changes, or if a parent is relocating for wok. 

If you and the other parent are unable to arrive at a decision about making changes to the existing agreement, you should hire a child custody attorney for help with asserting your position. 

8. The Other Parent Has Lawyered Up

When the other parent has professional and experience legal professionals backing their cause while you don’t, the balance of power during the court process will shift. Your chances of getting the desired result will significantly reduce. 

That’s because child custody lawyers are trained, skilled in their craft, and can advocate better than people who choose to self-represent. They also have a firm grasp over the state’s laws, the court procedures, and might be familiar with the judges and their past orders in similar cases.

Hire a Team of Reliable Child Custody Lawyers in Utah

It can be extremely difficult for a loving and responsible parent to live away from their children. If you’re in such a situation, it is always recommended to consult with an experienced child custody attorney in your area. Working with an attorney that specializes in child custody cases will significantly boost your chances of obtaining a positive legal outcome. 

The child custody lawyer at Henriksen & Henriksen can be your most powerful ally in your case. We’re compassionate, yet aggressive, and can work meticulously to help you prove that you deserve to have your children in your life. For dependable legal assistance, call (801) 521-4145 or schedule a free consultation through our appointment calendar today.