When you’re involved in a custody case, emotions run high, and the stakes are even higher – your child’s well-being and your rights as a parent are on the line. While it may be tempting to handle things on your own, especially if the other parent seems amicable, it’s often in your best interest to hire an experienced attorney. Here’s why.

One of the biggest risks of going it alone is being caught off guard. Even if the other parent tells you that they do not have an attorney and that they want to share custody, they may still have legal representation working behind the scenes to build a case against you. Worse still, they may be untruthful and refuse to honor their word once the parties are in Court. Without proper legal help, you may unknowingly agree to terms that are not in your child’s best interest or be unable to combat a false story that you were not prepared for.

In some cases, the other parent may twist your words to present evidence in a way that paints you negatively. A skilled attorney can help you prepare, protect your rights, and ensure that your side of the story is clearly and effectively communicated in Court. An attorney also ensures that all legal documents are properly filed, deadlines are met, and that you’re following the right procedures – all of which can be overwhelming without legal training.

Tiffany Fix recently had a case that illustrates this point. Our client hired Tiffany even though the other parent promised our client that they would agree to split custody 50/50. We still prepared our case as though it were going to trial. In court, the other side suddenly reneged on their word and tried to convince the judge that our client should not have custody. The other side was prepared with tears and a false story which could have been detrimental to an unrepresented parent. Fortunately, Tiffany was prepared with legal arguments and evidence to rebut the false claims and was able to get our client 50/50 custody of their child.

Bottom line: custody cases are complex and there’s too much at stake to risk being misled or unprepared. Having a trusted attorney by your side helps level the playing field and gives you the best chance of securing a good outcome for both you and your child.