How to Get a Low Cost Child Custody Attorney as a Single Mother

Fighting for child custody can be mentally exhausting, but it can also be a very expensive thing. Many people do not have the money that it takes to hire the best child custody attorneys in their area. The person who can hire a good child custody attorney is going to have a strong advantage. Knowing how to get a low cost child custody attorney as a single mother is crucial to help you save money and increase your chances of a favorable outcome.

Around the country, the average cost of hiring a child custody attorney is $250 per hour. There are quite a few hours that go into a case like this, so it could add up quickly. Before you know it, the fee owed to the lawyer could be $10,000. Most people do not have that kind of extra money to pay for the service. It is especially challenging for a single mother to try and hire an attorney and afford the rates that are being charged.

The good news is that there are options to help single mothers, and they only need to know how to get a low cost child custody attorney. There are several options they can turn to in order to get the legal help they need, without going into major debt or not being able to afford an attorney in the first place. Explore all the options below to consider which one is the best fit for your situation.

Options for a Low Cost Child Custody Attorney

Attorney fees are typically calculated on an hour basis, with $250 being the national average. Some attorneys may charge more while some charge less. Every time someone in their office works on your case you will be billed for that time. They should charge you a different rate if the paralegal or legal assistant is doing the work on the case, as opposed to the attorney doing the work. Some attorneys may require a retainer, which is a large sum of money up front that you will pay them for their services.

Who Pays Fees – One option is to consider having the other person pay the fees. There are cases where the attorney can ask the judge to order that the other party pay the attorney fees. This may work well in a situation where the father has a good income, but the single mother does not. The judge may order that the child custody fees will all be paid by the father. There is no set rule on this issue, so be sure to ask the attorney if it is possible to seek it.

Legal Aid – This is an organization that is found around the country. They provide legal and low cost assistance for those who have a low income. You can contact Legal Aid in your area to inquire about the type of help you may qualify for. They should be able to tell you what they can do to help with your situation, as well as provide suggestions and referrals for helpful options. To get more information about Legal Aid, go to Google and type in “Legal aid near me.” That should bring up Legal Aid offices in your area.

United States Government – The Department of Justice and the U.S. Government provide information on how to obtain free and low cost legal aid. They can help you with finding resources in your area. They can help you find legal aid to help with child custody, divorce, visitation rights, and more. They also have resources to help specific groups with legal help, including seniors, military members, and veterans. To get more information, click here.

211 – This organization serves to help people find local resources they can turn to no matter what kind of help they need. By calling them or contacting them online and telling them what type of help you need they can use their database to find the information and resources you need. They can give you referrals to local places that can assist you. To get more information, call 211 or click here.

State Bar – Every state has what is called the State Bar. They have the information on all the attorneys in your state and local area. You can call them to inquire about lawyers and give them your zip code so they provide you with local referrals. They can help you find pro bono attorneys. Those are ones that will offer their services for free to help people who cannot afford one. Call your State Bar office and ask if there are any pro bono attorneys in your local area who handle child custody issues. If there are, they will provide you with the information. To find your State Bar, click here.

Law Schools – Contact any local law schools that are near you. Let them know you are a single mother who needs a low cost child custody attorney. They may be able to refer you to ones in your area, or they may be able to have law students help with your case so they get real world experience. The professor may also offer his services for the case. Law schools are good places to get free or low cost legal help. They often offer free legal events for the community, too, where they answer questions about your case.

There are places where you can get free legal services, as well as find affordable child custody attorneys. Call some of the child custody attorneys in your area to inquire about their fees. That way you can find the one with the most affordable rate. Also, ask if a paralegal can help with some of the paperwork, so that it will help keep costs lower. Some attorneys may also offer payment plans to help make it more affordable. Weigh all of your options and decide which route is going to be the best for you to take based on your situation.

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