Finding a New York Divorce Lawyer for Custody and Child Support

The following is general information which you can use to help you find a New York lawyer for fathers. As is the case with many things, the very best way to find a New York family law attorney is to ask others you know who have been through divorces or other family law situations in New York, and to get referrals from them. However, this is not always possible. In that case, you will want to contact New York bar associations and legal organizations for recommendations and referrals. You can find these organizations online, through a local library, or with our Directory of Legal Agencies and Resources for All 50 States for only $19.95 with instant download!

Generally speaking, when contacting a New York bar or other association to find a New York lawyer, it will be helpful for you to briefly explain your situation, why you need a New York lawyer, which party you are, and whether you are filing a new case or this is an existing New York family law case (and if the latter, what stage of your case you are in), so that they can best match you with the most appropriate New York lawyer.

Make sure to emphasize that you need someone who is familiar with and believes in a father's need to stay involved with their children after divorce. You should also ask them how they select their referral attorneys and, if appropriate to your situation, whether they have any sliding-scale fee programs or programs for low-income clients, as many state bar associations do offer such programs. Also be sure to ask about any law schools or other organizations in the area which may offer legal clinics or other practical or financial legal assistance for obtaining representation by a New York attorney.

Also, don't turn up your nose at referrals to attorneys who seem like they may not specialize in family law. If they don't themselves practice family law, they can still be a great referral source to other attorneys who do practice family law. In fact they are sometimes the best referral source, as they know how good someone is, and have no reason to try to keep you themselves.

Please remember that whenever there are issues relating to custody, timeshare (visitation) and child support in New York, it is always better to try to resolve them between yourselves, or with a counsellor or mediator, than to go to court. But it is still critical to have a New York lawyer who understands the rules, requirements, and pitfalls of the legal system in New York. Your New York lawyer will act as your guide to help you navigate the terrain and negotiate successfully to arrive at a successful outcome for you and your children, within the framework of the various laws of the state of New York.