Bakersfield, CA asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for California

Q: If my attorney has failed to represent me in my child custody case and he isn't standing up for me in court what do I do

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: If you feel your attorney is not effectively representing you in your child custody case, it's important to take immediate action. Start by having a candid conversation with your attorney about your concerns. Explain how you feel they aren’t standing up for you in court and ask for a clear plan on how they intend to address your issues moving forward.

If your concerns aren't resolved after discussing them with your attorney, consider seeking a second opinion from another legal professional. It’s your right to have an attorney who advocates for your interests and provides competent representation. Consulting another attorney can help you understand if your current representation is meeting the standard you deserve.

If you decide to change attorneys, you will need to formally release your current one and hire a new one. Ensure you review your current agreement to understand any potential costs or fees involved in making this change. Remember, the outcome of your child custody case can significantly impact your life, so it's crucial to have confidence in your legal representation.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.