What Do You Do If You Don't Agree With A Custody Ruling?

Posted on: 4 September 2020

Did a judge recently make a decision about child custody that you do not agree with? You're likely wondering if you can appeal this decision to get the results you were looking for. Here is what you need to know about this legal process.

Is It Even Possible To Appeal Family Court Rulings?

You may be wondering if you can even appeal a family court ruling since it is quite different from a criminal case. Know that it is possible to appeal a child custody ruling or any part of the divorce ruling made by a judge if you do not agree with it. A divorce lawyer can file a motion for you to have a new custody trial with the court of appeals, which will have to hear your appeal. If your appeal is denied, your next option is to go to your state's supreme court, which has the right to accept or reject your appeal.

Do You Need To Work With A Lawyer To Appeal A Family Court Ruling?

If you want the best chance of winning your appeal, it is best to work with a lawyer that specializes in family law. They have experience working on these types of cases and will give you the best chance of winning your appeal and getting custody of your children. However, you are welcome to represent yourself in a child custody appeal case.

Will Appealing A Family Court Ruling Be Expensive?

Any time you go through the legal system there will be costs involved. Many people do not proceed with appealing a family court ruling because they do not have the money to go through the legal process. There are many court documents that need to be paid for when you appeal a case, such as transcripts so that they can be sent to the appeals court. This is your responsibility as the person requesting the appeal. Of course, you will also have any legal fees to pay if you are using a family law lawyer.

Can You Receive A Consultation Before Proceeding?

Know that you can always talk to a family lawyer to receive a consultation regarding your custody appeal. They'll let you know if you have a case that could be reversed by having it appealed and advise you to move forward with it or not.

How Long Can The Appeal Process Take?

Everyone's experience with appealing a family court ruling is different depending on the court system where you live. However, the process will not be fast. Expect for the entire process to take about a year before you receive the results.

Speak with a family law attorney for more information.

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