Top 4 Child Custody Questions to Ask a Lawyer When your divorce is finalized, the next thing you'll have to deal with is a selection of family lawyers for parenting issues. So, when you start your case, do you know what questions to ask a lawyer about child custody? Knowing what questions to ask ahead of time will help you be better prepared and know what to expect. Continue reading for answers to these important child custody questions. What Factors Will the Court Consider? It is critical to understand the factors that a judge will consider when making a decision in a child custody dispute. These variables are examined because the court wants to make the greatest decision for the children involved in the case. Some of the factors that will be considered are as follows: ● The child's relationships with each of their parents ● Each parent who will be responsible for the child's health ● The child's growing developmental requirements ● The child's emotional requirements ● If both parents create a stable environment for their children, ● Is there evidence of abuse? ● Each parent's ability to care for the child After all of these factors have been weighed, the judge will make a decision. If you discover that your home is unsuitable for a child, you may need to take actions to make it appropriate before the case begins in order to maximize the chances of the judge ruling in your favor. Will Mothers Obtain Automatic Custody? Some states give the mother sole custody, and in certain cases, the father retains legal rights that can be enforced. In some places, if a father makes a compelling case against the mother demonstrating her incapacity as a parent, the father may be granted sole custody. If you believe your ex-spouse lacks the resources or capacity to care for your child, you must disclose this information to your lawyer when you go to court. Your attorney will next construct a case based on these facts and submit it in court. How Will Visitation Function? If you and your ex-spouse can't agree on anything, you'll probably have to go to mediation to figure out a timetable that works best for both parents and children. If you can agree on a timetable, you will do so between yourselves. Any schedule that is determined upon, however, must be approved by the courts before it can begin. If you want to make changes to your visitation arrangement, you can do so, but the court must be notified. How Do I File for Child Custody? When you file for divorce, you must include your wishes for custody of your child into the petition for divorce. Another option is to seek custody during a formal separation. This is when you are not married to the person from whom you are divorcing, but you have a child together. When you file for divorce, you will also file a custody suit for the child involved. A paternity action suit is a process that a father must take to establish that he is the biological father of his kid. He can then file a custody claim if paternity has been established.