Adopted Child Custody Battle Against Birth Parents: What A Lawyer Can Do
Did the birth parents of your adopted child threaten you about getting custody back? You will need to hire a lawyer to handle the dispute cordially and prevent your child from going through a stressful situation. Find out in this article why hiring a lawyer is the best way to get through a child custody dispute with birth parents, as well as what his or her assistance is estimated to cost.
Why Should an Adoptive Parent Hire a Lawyer for a Custody Dispute?
The adoption process that you went through to get your child will determine if the birth parents have rights or not. If the agreement for you to care for the child was not handled in court, it is possible that any documents that you have are not legally binding. A lawyer will review your adoption documents to make sure you have a strong case against the birth parents. He or she will also obtain any court records that available as proof that the adoption process was legal, as the documents is all that is needed to move forward.
Even if you can prove that the child was legally adopted, a lawyer will prepare for whatever the birth parents may bring up against you in court. For instance, your lawyer will build your case by doing things that include:
- Gathering your income statements
- Investigating the background of the birth parents
- Obtaining evidence of your connection with the child
It is also possible for a lawyer to help you obtain a temporary restraining order against the birth parents. After your case is won in court, the restraining order can become permanent. You will also have the right to file a police report to make sure the harassment from the birth parents is legally on file in case it takes a turn for the worst.
What Kind of Fees Does a Lawyer Charge for a Child Custody Battle?
Expect to pay a minimum hourly rate of $75 for a lawyer to assist with your custody case. However, for a complex child custody case against birth parents, the hourly rate can be $500 or more. You will basically have to pay a retainer fee in advance so the lawyer can make sure that he or she is getting paid for spending time on your case. The hourly rate will simply be taken out of the retainer fee. Don't delay speaking to a lawyer (such as one from the Law Office of Shelli Wright Johnson) about your custody battle for your adoptive child!