Lawyers

How do you find a good lawyer? Word of mouth, online ratings.... what are some red flags that may pop up to alert you to stay away from a certain lawyer? I am seeking full custody and need one that will fight like they are fighting for their own.
Advice and experiences welcome  

word of mouth, probably... I guess it would depend on what kind of lawyer you're looking for.   And of course, there is always google.

We asked another father that had won custody of his daughter. We hired that lawyer and we now have custody of my step son.

Quoting loser mom:" word of mouth, probably... I guess it would depend on what kind of lawyer you're looking for.   And of course, there is always google."

Yeah i have been using google. I talked to one lawyer and he told me that it would be too expensive for me to seek sole custody.... really?! should i not even bother is my daughter not worth it?

Quoting Michael Westen:" We asked another father that had won custody of his daughter. We hired that lawyer and we now have custody of my step son."

Damn. Too bad your not in wisconsin.   Congrats to you though!

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" Yeah i have been using google. I talked to one lawyer and he told me that it would be too expensive for me to seek sole custody.... really?! should i not even bother is my daughter not worth it?"

It's not cheap. We're $30k in the hole because of a custody battle.

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" Damn. Too bad your not in wisconsin.   Congrats to you though!"

Lol, no. I'm in a much much worse state!

But thank you!

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" Yeah i have been using google. I talked to one lawyer and he told me that it would be too expensive for me to seek sole custody.... really?! should i not even bother is my daughter not worth it?"

Do you have any kind of legal aid in your area?? You might be able to get services at a discounted rate.

Quoting Michael Westen:" It's not cheap. We're $30k in the hole because of a custody battle."

Do you pay the lawyer after during or before you "win custody" if you do.

Quoting loser mom:" Do you have any kind of legal aid in your area?? You might be able to get services at a discounted rate. "

They are out of funding.... otherwise i would have used them.

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" Do you pay the lawyer after during or before you "win custody" if you do."

We paid him a $3500 retainer and he billed us the rest after. That was my least favorite piece of mail to ever get! Lol. It's worth it though. Sure, we have to miss out on some things but DS's live is going to be a lot better.

Quoting Michael Westen:" We paid him a $3500 retainer and he billed us the rest after. That was my least favorite piece of mail ... [snip!] ... to ever get! Lol. It's worth it though. Sure, we have to miss out on some things but DS's live is going to be a lot better."

The one i went to asked for 500 retainer and 185 a month there after... shady? or not?

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" The one i went to asked for 500 retainer and 185 a month there after... shady? or not? "

No. THat's pretty normal.

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" Yeah i have been using google. I talked to one lawyer and he told me that it would be too expensive for me to seek sole custody.... really?! should i not even bother is my daughter not worth it?"

What is your reason for wanting sole custody?

It is possible that he didn't believe you had a strong enough case....

Quoting *You Are My Sunshine*:" They are out of funding.... otherwise i would have used them. "

That sucks.

The only time I needed a lawyer was for a divorce, but no kids and nothing to fight over, so it didn't cost a lot. But I've always heard from other moms that you need a good attorney for a custody battle. Good luck with everything!