Tips to Prepare for a Child Custody Attorney Consultation in New Jersey
Do you have an appointment with a child custody attorney, and you are unsure how to prepare? With the right preparation, you will have the documents and information your lawyer needs to develop a strategy for your case. First, find out what you should bring with you. Then, spend a day or two getting everything together for your consultation.
How to get ready for a child custody attorney consultation
Most parents know they should bring some questions with them when preparing for a legal consultation. However, while questions about the proceedings are important, people need to take additional steps to prepare. For example, it is essential to write a family history and bring the family budget. Parents should also gather legal documents and bring evidence to the consultation.
Prepare a chronological history
A child custody attorney needs a family history before deciding how to proceed. Thus, parents should prepare a written chronological family history beforehand. The history should include the date of birth of the parents and children. In addition, it should have the dates when the co-parents lived in the same home. Also, include the dates of the marriage and divorce.
The chronological history should dig deeper as well and include any problems the family faced. For instance, dates and details about domestic violence should be included, if applicable. Then, the attorney will have a clear picture of what occurred. This makes it easier to build a case.
Get a copy of the household budget
There are financial considerations when fighting for child custody. Parents should bring a copy of the household budget to the consultation. The budget should break down all child-related expenses. In addition, the budget should include information about savings accounts for the child.
Legal documents
Parents should bring various legal documents to the child custody consultation, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees. In addition, if there are any previous custody orders, parents should present these too. Finally, parents should bring documents related to current legal proceedings.
Evidence
If evidence is available, people need to bring it with them to the child custody consultation. This can include social media posts, text messages, and voicemails. Also, parents should bring police reports or evidence of criminal charges. When unsure if something is evidence, err on the side of caution and bring it.
Some co-parents bring evidence against the other party but do not bring any self-incriminating evidence. Parents should bring all evidence, even if it shows wrongdoing on their part. By seeing the full picture, the attorney can develop a legal strategy. Also, the attorney will not be surprised during legal proceedings.
Speak to your lawyer
These tips are a starting point for preparing for your consultation. You can also speak to your attorney directly to determine if you need any additional documents and information. Then, you can add more documents or evidence if needed. By having everything on hand, your attorney can dive right in and begin preparing your case.
Call us at (732) 449-0449 for more information from Anthony J. Cafaro, P.C. or to schedule a consultation in our office in Sea Girt. NOTE: This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.