The specific custody attorney cost in the State of Maryland will vary depending on numerous different issues. There are many different considerations with Maryland child custody issues that may have an effect on the overall costs of the cases, especially when a custody case is contested.
Because of the amount of legal work potentially involved in child custody cases, custody attorney costs may be more significant than the costs of other cases. The average cost for child custody disputes ranges from $1,500 to $20,000 or more.
A parent should be informed that child custody cases can be resolved without having to enter a courtroom. This can save everyone involved money and time.
A child’s parents may be able to reach their own agreement about the custody of the child. A lawyer can put their agreement in a written document and submit it to the court to be approved.
There may also be filing fees that a parent will have to pay in addition to paying their lawyer. Even though the parents can write down their own custody agreement without help from a local attorney in Maryland, when they do, it may create validity or enforcement issues in the future.
If there is a future dispute, it can result in a potentially lengthy and costly court case. Due to this issue, it is important to consult with a lawyer and to understand every option that is available in child custody cases.
What Can a Child Custody Lawyer Do?
Child custody lawyers in Maryland can help parents in the state navigate the legal system as well as understand issues that may arise in their unique case. A parent’s attorney can also help them negotiate an agreement on their child custody issues.
If a parent has an attorney write their agreement for submission, it will help ensure that the agreement is legally enforceable. This will also help them avoid a costly future legal dispute.
There are many services that child custody lawyers can provide their clients, such as:
- Providing clients with legal advice
- Helping negotiate a child custody arrangement with the other parent or the other parent’s legal counsel
- Creating a legal strategy that is specifically tailored to their client’s child custody issues
- Preparing necessary documents, such as:
- Custody petitions
- Declarations
- Responses
- Ensuring all of the paperwork meets the legal requirements in Maryland
- Representing their client in court in situations when negotiations are not successful, which includes:
- Representing their client’s interests in court
- Introducing evidence
- Presenting their case
- Examining witnesses
- Arguing on their client’s behalf
- Guiding their client through mediation
In every child custody case, the focus of the court will be on the best interests of the child or children involved. It is important for both parents to have their own attorneys in custody cases because it will help ensure that the case focuses on the child’s best interest standard.
A parent’s attorney will conduct the required research to create the strongest case possible for clients based on the current laws and precedents that will apply in the case. An attorney is also referred to as a counselor, which is another important role of the attorney.
Having an attorney can give parents emotional guidance and support while also advocating on their behalf and protecting their legal rights.
What Factors Can Impact the Cost of a Child Custody Lawyer?
As noted above, there are many different things that may impact the cost of a child custody attorney. The fee schedule a lawyer uses is one of the major factors that affect this cost.
There are certain attorneys who charge higher fees than other attorneys based on certain issues, including:
- The reputation, ability, and experience of the lawyer
- The amount of time that the attorney thinks they will spend on the case
- The geographical location of the attorney
- How challenging the lawyer thinks the case will be
It is important for clients to be aware that a court can require one of the parents to pay for the attorneys’ fees of the other parent. This can happen when one of the spouses is not able to afford their own attorney or if the parents have considerable differences in their financial status.
How Much Does It Cost to File for Custody?
How much it will cost to file for child custody varies based on many issues in addition to those discussed above. Some examples of these child custody concerns may include:
- The issues in the custody case: An uncontested child custody case will typically cost less to resolve than a contested case.
- Contested child custody cases may require:
- depositions
- court time
- filing temporary motions
- hiring expert witnesses, for example, child psychologists and other experts
- Expert witnesses and specialists: Custody cases may require the help of an expert, such as a child psychologist, which increases the overall cost of the case.
- The cost of hiring an expert witness may range from $1,500 to more than $5,000.
- Miscellaneous fees: There may also be additional miscellaneous fees that apply in child custody cases, such as:
- paying for certified copies
- paying for a mediator
- paying court filing costs
- paying process servers
- other fees that may be required on a day-to-day basis when handling a child custody case.
How Much Does a Custody Modification Cost?
Child custody modifications can include all of the costs of obtaining the original child custody order. A parent who needs to modify a current child custody order may have to show the court that there has been a material change in circumstances since the original custody order was issued.
The client and their attorney will have to gather the necessary evidence to show that there was, in fact, a material change in circumstances. Usually, a hearing will be held in the courtroom where both of the parents can present their evidence and bring up any concerns they may have.
The process of modifying an existing custody order is often similar to obtaining the original custody order. The parent who is requesting a modification will submit their request to the court, serve it on the other parent, and present their evidence in court.
A modification, however, often takes less time. Due to this, they are not likely to cost as much as the original custody order.
Who Pays the Attorney Fees in a Child Custody Case?
Each parent in a custody case will typically pay their own attorneys’ fees. In certain situations, a court may order one parent to pay for the attorneys’ fees of the other parent.
This may happen if one parent makes significantly more money than the other parent. It may also be ordered if one of the parties is trying to make the case take longer on purpose to have a negative financial impact on the child’s other parent.
Should I Hire a Child Custody Lawyer?
When you have any child custody issue or concern in the State of Maryland, it is very important to consult with a Maryland child custody lawyer. An attorney will know the best strategy to create a case centered around the child’s best interest standard, ensuring the success of your request. LegalMatch can help connect you with the right custody lawyer for your case.
Your attorney will represent you during all of your court appearances, mediation, and negotiations. This helps ensure that your parental rights are protected and that you will have the best chances to obtain the outcome you desire for your custody issue.
