Legal Question in Family Law in California

DESPERATLY seeking an attorney for a custody battle

I am a single mother sharing custody of my 4 year old son with my ex and the arrangements are that we each have him two weeks out of the month. After a few incidences recently my ex has decided to hire a lawyer and drag me to court for full custody of our son. The incidences are as follows; DUI, being arrested on a warrant with my son in the car and having a bail set at $26,000.00 and I currently have a warrant out for my arrest. In the paperwork he served me he states that I always have a beer in my hand upon him dropping our son off, that I have a drinking problem, that my son still sleeps in my bed at age 4 which he thinks is inappropriate behavior and that I do not provide a stable environment. My mediation hearing is at 1:00pm on Sept 9th and my court date is Oct 4th at 8:30am. I don�t want to lose my son and I am terrified. I know I have made some bad decisions in the past but are these bad enough that I will lose the custody battle? I am tight on money and need a lawyer to fight this case for me. What do I do? Please help!!!


Asked on 8/23/04, 2:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: DESPERATLY seeking an attorney for a custody battle

First take care of the warrant. Second join AA and start turning your life around. Get rid of all alcohol etc in your home and your life. When you go to mediation be prepared to discuss a modified visitation plan, with you receiving increased visitation after 3 months, six months etc until you have 50% custody. You should be prepared to prove that you have turned your life around, and are prepared to provide a safe and stable enviornment for your child.

A tria for custody is very expensive, the attorney fees could easily exceed $30,000 and expert witness fees could, depending upon the expert, exceed $20,000. Based on your statements it appears unlikely that you can afford a custoy trial.

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Answered on 8/23/04, 8:30 pm


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