Evaluating the Costs of Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer: What to Expect

 Divorce is hard to navigate for any of the parties involved. When done amicably, it is still a heartbreaking situation where a relationship is ending and a new chapter will need to start. When it is not possible to do it amicably, that is when the situation gets trickier, harder, and most likely confrontational. And that is when you will want a good  Child support lawyer Calgary to navigate the process with you.

There are many reasons why a relationship ends in non-amicable ways, from one partner cheating on the other to constant arguments, to domestic violence.

But one of the main points that people wonder about when dealing with lawyers in Calgary is the cost associated with it. In those situations, price should not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is an understandable concern, especially when you do not have many resources, but still want to be protected and have your best interests fought for.

We hope to clarify a few points during this article so you can leave able to make an informed decision.

Why Should You Hire a Child Custody Lawyer

First, we need to ensure that you understand the importance of having a child custody lawyer with you and supporting you through the process.

During a divorce, normally when it is not done amicably if the parents cannot agree to the terms pertinent to the child's custody, a child support lawyer can support you in a number of situations.

Some of the most important ones are how the custody will work. Will it be joint or sole? Which parent will be the one responsible for making legal decisions? With whom the child will spend more time?

A child support lawyer will work towards your best interests and what your rights are towards the children. That means they will also work towards drafting a visiting schedule that fits your needs and possibilities.

It is important to remember that, ultimately, the most important thing is the child’s well-being. If your divorce case involves things such as accusations of domestic violence, a history of it or other behaviours that put the well-being of the children in danger, a seasoned child custody lawyer will always defend the child’s best interests.

It is possible to deal with all of that out of court, which also means spending less money. If this route is doable and an agreement is mutually agreeable, it can be sent to a judge for approval. If this is impossible to do, mediation can be arranged with a neutral third party, but if even like that an agreement is impossible to be reached, then the situation will escalate to going to Court. A child custody lawyer will present arguments in favour of your case in order to protect your best interests and guarantee your rights.

The Cost of Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer

Now that we know the importance of having a child custody lawyer with you to offer you guidance and defend you, if necessary, it is important to understand the costs associated with hiring one.

The associated cost is no exact science, every lawyer will have different fees but you can expect to pay between $100 and $500 per hour of service. Those values vary depending on a number of factors, such as the complexity of the case, the experience of the lawyer and more.

Divorces that can be done amicably are easier, it requires less time both for the lawyer and the parties involved, so you may be looking into paying, maybe, between $2.500 to $5.000 in lawyer fees. More complex cases can get pretty extensive, especially if the parties cannot reach an agreement at all and the case needs to go to Court. Going to Court is never in your best interests, and if it does happen you might be looking at anything between $5.000 and $40.000 or more in lawyers fees.

Lawyer fees are, usually, paid upfront as well. This is called a retainer. If you paid, let us say $2.000 upfront and the whole process would cost $3.500 in lawyer fees, you will be requested to pay the remaining $1.500. If the total cost is less than the value paid upfront the lawyer may refund you the difference, but it is important to clarify this in the beginning since some lawyers have a nonrefundable policy in order.

Other fees related to the lawyer’s work may be, for example, office work such as copying documents, travel expenses, court filing fees, and hiring experts to testify.

In the case that you need a mediator, they may charge between $100 and $300 per hour. It is important to remember that those values are not fixed, they may change from professional to professional.

What To Consider When Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer

When choosing your child custody lawyer in Calgary, having a few filters will facilitate your search and will make it more likely for you to make the right choice that will better fit your needs.

The first and more obvious is your own financial resources, how much are able to spend on lawyer fees for your case? Assessing your situation realistically is pivotal. Communicate with your options and ask about their pricing upfront so you can make an informed decision.

Secondly, consider how complex your case is. Will the divorce and child custody be possible to be done amicably? Are there any issues that will influence the agreement? The more complex your situation, the more likely the lawyer fees to be larger. Having this in mind will prepare ahead for the pricing.

Your lawyer’s level of experience and reputation is also crucial. The bigger the law firm, or the more experienced and seasoned the lawyer, the more likely that they will be more expensive. Depending on your case, you may not need the best lawyer in Calgary, someone with enough experience in dealing with child custody may do the trick and will save you money. Ask for references, do online research, and talk to people and see who they recommend.