He was a good lawyer overall, but my experience was mixed. I went into this asking for a 70/30 custody arrangement. What I learned through the process is that courts generally default to 50/50 custody unless there is something extremely major involved, such as proven drug abuse or serious safety concerns. Regardless of whether you hire a lawyer or not, the outcome in most custody cases will likely be the same. I truly wish I had been made more aware of that upfront instead of being told it was something that could be done. I would have appreciated more transparency about realistic expectations before committing financially. We had also agreed that I would claim my daughter on taxes every year, but the paperwork for that was never submitted. When tax season came, neither of us was able to properly file for her, which caused unnecessary stress. Another concern was billing. If you carry a balance, they charge around 20–25% interest monthly, which adds up quickly. In January, I made what I was told would be my final payment. I specifically asked for confirmation that my account was fully paid, and I was told yes. However, about a month and a half later, I received another bill for additional charges. That was frustrating and unexpected. Additionally, both receptionists were very rude in the beginning. I noticed the behavior early on but continued with the firm. There is a difference between being straightforward and being rude, and many interactions felt passive-aggressive. As a first-time parent going through custody court, I was extremely nervous and felt like I needed representation. Now that I’ve gone through the process myself, I personally feel it wasn’t worth the cost in my situation. If you are considering hiring a lawyer for child custody, make sure you fully understand realistic outcomes and the billing structure before committing.
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