Searching the best child custody lawyers in Albuquerque, NM is going to take a little digging. Also, finding the best custody lawyers will require an understanding of New Mexico law. At the end of the road, however, your efforts will pay dividends with your custody case.
Here are some tips on finding the best custody lawyers in New Mexico.
HIRE A FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
Family court is a different universe from criminal and civil court. For instance, family court has different policies, rules, and procedures than civil and criminal matters. Additionally, family court judges have different personalities and policies. Because of this fact, it is important to hire an attorney that is familiar with your assigned judge.
Robert Kardashian was a great criminal lawyer. Kardashian could handle the courtroom like Michael Jordan handled the basketball court. With that said, Kardashian would have been a fish out of the water in family court. The same applies with attorneys that primarily handle criminal or civil cases. Most of these attorneys are like fish out of water when swimming in family court.
Additionally, an experienced family law attorney will know your assigned judge’s preferences. Experienced custody lawyers can spot issues with your case. In doing so, your experienced custody attorney can help you develop a plan of action to improve your custody case.
FIND AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY
Family is everything. Accordingly, your family deserves a seasoned and experienced attorney. Experienced custody lawyers have real-world experience through trial and error. Your New Mexico family law attorney should have the experience necessary to distinguish the different shades of New Mexico law.
You see, most laws are about as clear as mud. For instance, custody is based on a child’s best interests. This standard involves several moving pieces. Most importantly, your judge ultimately determines your child’s best interests. In other words, your judge has the ultimate power to determine your custody and timesharing.
Because of this fact, it is important to hire an attorney that is highly experienced with your assigned judge.
REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS – FINDING THE BEST CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS IN NEW MEXICO
An experienced attorney can make a huge difference in your case. However, attorneys are not magicians that can make bad facts immediately change or disappear.
There’s no way around it, some cases have bad facts. For instance, some cases have the following bad facts:
- Domestic violence history;
- Restraining Order of Protection;
- Substance abuse issues;
- Mental health issues;
- CYFD involvement;
- Lack of bonding with child;
- Weak status quo established after separation; or
- One parent exclusively or primarily caring for child.
Any of these facts can significantly impact a case. For instance, it isn’t realistic for a parent with substance abuse issues to request primary custody. Additionally, it isn’t likely that the court will grant sole legal custody to a parent that has never been the child’s primary caregiver.
At times, a parent’s goals do not align with the case’s facts. Because of this fact, it is important to speak with an experienced Albuquerque family law attorney about your case’s facts. Experienced child custody lawyers can uncover your facts and give you a realistic baseline of the expected outcome.
WORK THE PLAN
As we have seen, experienced child custody lawyers can help you understand New Mexico law. Additionally, the best custody lawyers can hear the facts and help you develop a plan of action.
For instance, maybe your relationship ended because of substance abuse issues. Particularly, maybe domestic violence involving alcohol caused your breakup or divorce. This situation would fall under the umbrella of “bad facts.” Under this scenario, with a custody case, your ex would likely raise concerns about your drinking and abuse. Therefore, you would need to take steps to demonstrate stability and sobriety. For instance, proactively attending AA and counseling would demonstrate acceptance and action.
For any number of reasons, your case may have bad facts. With enough time, however, bad facts can be overcome with an effective plan of action.
PERSISTENCE PAYS – FINDING THE BEST CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS IN NEW MEXICO
Parenthood is a lifelong job. As any parent knows, there is no pause button to being a parent. How stable a parent was last month doesn’t matter if that same parent is currently unfit to care for a child. Over time, custody cases can radically change. A parent that once had sole legal custody may now be abusing drugs or alcohol. Conversely, a parent that was once incarcerated for selling drugs may now be a model citizen. You see, life changes.
Because life changes, persistence is crucial.
Possibly your goal of 50-50 visitation isn’t realistically right now. However, over time, consistent, stable, and predictable parenting can lead you to 50-50 or better. You see, visitation can always be changed based on a major change in circumstances.
As time passes, circumstances change. With enough time, major changes can take place. In turn, these major changes can lead to a major change in custody and visitation. Because of this process, persistence pays with your custody and visitation case.
UNDERSTAND NEW MEXICO LAW AND PROCEDURE
In the end, finding the best child custody lawyers in New Mexico involves several steps. One of the most important steps is to understand New Mexico law.
A comprehensive eBook on child custody is available – free of charge – by clicking HERE. Alternatively, the eBook can be launched by clicking the image below. This eBook was written from the eye and hand of an experienced New Mexico child custody lawyer. This eBook guides you through the child custody process, helping you to achieve a better understanding of the legal journey involved.
CHILD CUSTODY LAWYERS NEAR ME
Matthew Sanchez is one of the battle tested child custody lawyers in Albuquerque, NM. Sanchez has handled child custody all across New Mexico, including: Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Los Lunas/Belen, Gallup/Grants, Estancia/Socorro, and Taos. Talk to a seasoned and successful child custody attorney that knows what they are talking about. Talk to (505) SANCHEZ.
