Need Help (State Lines)

[JUfford]

Please read

I live in Indiana, but my daughter is in Iowa.

I’m basically looking for some guidance on finding a lawyer that can work on my case. My daughter was born and lives in Iowa. I realize that any visitation/custody paper work would have to be filed in Iowa, but would an Indiana lawyer be able to file it or should I be looking for an Iowa Lawyer? And if so, any suggestions on finding one?
There is also the matter of money. I’m going to school at the moment and I am unemployed. Depending on the cost of getting the visitation (and/or joint custody) paperwork done I will be getting a job. I’m needing some type of idea what this is going to cost, and if there is any ways I can get aid at a lowered/reduced rate?

Thanks for your time, and any help would be greatly helpful.

 

[JUfford]

Any input would helpful.

 

[ejmmolina]

well as far as cost goes it depends, could cost 1000 all the way up to 100,000 just depends on how long your in the system. It also depends on your lawyer or if you represent yourself which is not always smart.There is no way to tell. I dont have an answer for your other questions maybe someone else can help.

 

[JUfford]

I'm not sure what the policies for "advertisments" are on this forum, but does anyone have any helpful legal links so that i might be able to find "where" i should look for a lawyer. (Indiana or Iowa)
i understand that the cost is subject to many things, but i'm looking for a ball park. Anyone else out there file for visitation/joint custody and have any input on price?

 

[Jillian483]

I live in Indiana, but my daughter is in Iowa.

I’m basically looking for some guidance on finding a lawyer that can work on my case. My daughter was born and lives in Iowa. I realize that any visitation/custody paper work would have to be filed in Iowa, but would an Indiana lawyer be able to file it or should I be looking for an Iowa Lawyer? And if so, any suggestions on finding one?
There is also the matter of money. I’m going to school at the moment and I am unemployed. Depending on the cost of getting the visitation (and/or joint custody) paperwork done I will be getting a job. I’m needing some type of idea what this is going to cost, and if there is any ways I can get aid at a lowered/reduced rate?

Thanks for your time, and any help would be greatly helpful.

It is your option to hire a lawyer in your state but they are going to cost a drastic ammount more. If you hired one in your state you would have a higher retainer to cover all costs of transportation. If you don't have a lot of money, hire one in the same county as the court that you go to. Also the sourts will look at what is in the best interests of the children. Meaning it will be hard for you to support them if you are not working. Go out and at least get a part time job. You can see if some law firms allow a payment plan. This is something that only you can do because this requires calls to all of the lawyers. Also check and see if Iowa has a Family Lawyers Assistance Program or something to that extent. These people help low income families but very rarely, if not ever, represent you in court.

 

[Jillian483]

Furthermore...

Most lawyers go for around 2-3000 dollars depending on how much work needs to be done.

 

[JUfford]

Thank you for the post

Thank you for the post. It's been the most help in a while... Concerning the the court looking at my income for supporting my daughter... Do they just look at my income or the "house hold" as a whole.
Next question.. with most of those familty lawyer asst. programs.. arn't they usually done so that you have to be a resident of that county?

 

[Jillian483]

Thank you for the post. It's been the most help in a while... Concerning the the court looking at my income for supporting my daughter... Do they just look at my income or the "house hold" as a whole.
Next question.. with most of those familty lawyer asst. programs.. arn't they usually done so that you have to be a resident of that county?

First.. Are you saying that you are remarried and you are wondering if they can make you pay more because your new spouse has a higher income? Not usually. There are very rare instances where one parents entire income has been taken to support a child if their spouse makes a large amount of money (i.e. You pull 500 a month and your new spouse pulls 10,000 a month) There are certain factors that the judge might take into account like if you make a small amount of income yet you have no bills becasue you live with your parents, they don't charge you rent and you have no car or other loans.
Second... Some programs make you be a resident but not all of them. Most of these programs have lawyers on staff yet they use law students to do all of the dirty work. Check with the Iowa branch and find out for yeouself. I cannot tell you for sure unless I called for you. Sorry

 

[JUfford]

no no misuderstanding about "support"

If you don't have a lot of money, hire one in the same county as the court that you go to. Also the sourts will look at what is in the best interests of the children. Meaning it will be hard for you to support them if you are not working. Go out and at least get a part time job. You can see if some law firms allow a payment plan.

I thought you where saying here that the court would look at my income in making a custody ruling.?

 

[Jillian483]

If you don't have a lot of money, hire one in the same county as the court that you go to. Also the sourts will look at what is in the best interests of the children. Meaning it will be hard for you to support them if you are not working. Go out and at least get a part time job. You can see if some law firms allow a payment plan.

I thought you where saying here that the court would look at my income in making a custody ruling.?

No but they might take it into consideration as to the fact... how are you going to support the children if you make no money?

 

[stealth2]

It is your option to hire a lawyer in your state but they are going to cost a drastic ammount more. If you hired one in your state you would have a higher retainer to cover all costs of transportation. If you don't have a lot of money, hire one in the same county as the court that you go to. Also the sourts will look at what is in the best interests of the children. Meaning it will be hard for you to support them if you are not working. Go out and at least get a part time job. You can see if some law firms allow a payment plan. This is something that only you can do because this requires calls to all of the lawyers. Also check and see if Iowa has a Family Lawyers Assistance Program or something to that extent. These people help low income families but very rarely, if not ever, represent you in court.

Well..... sorta. But there really is all kindsa wrong in this post. For starters, you can only use an IN attorney if s/he is licensed to practice in IA. If s/he is not, you can have all the money in the world and pay for transportation all year long and it isn't going to do you a damned bit of good. Assuming that by "Family Lawyers Assistance Program", Jillian means some type of legal aid - an Iowa group isn't going to be able to help you as they usualy have rather stringent rules that you must be a resident of the state (sometimes even specific county).

 

[Jillian483]

Well..... sorta. But there really is all kindsa wrong in this post. For starters, you can only use an IN attorney if s/he is licensed to practice in IA. If s/he is not, you can have all the money in the world and pay for transportation all year long and it isn't going to do you a damned bit of good. Assuming that by "Family Lawyers Assistance Program", Jillian means some type of legal aid - an Iowa group isn't going to be able to help you as they usualy have rather stringent rules that you must be a resident of the state (sometimes even specific county).

First, You can hire a lawyer out from your own state and they will work with you as your lawyer but they will have to go through a different law firm. Not all will do this. They hire out this law firm and someone from that firm actually represents you in court but the other lawyer can be there to assist. Second like I said call the legal aid office and ask them.

 

[stealth2]

First, You can hire a lawyer out from your own state and they will work with you as your lawyer but they will have to go through a different law firm. Not all will do this. They hire out this law firm and someone from that firm actually represents you in court but the other lawyer can be there to assist. Second like I said call the legal aid office and ask them.

And then you're freakin' paying for two lawyers! Go to bed, Jillian.

 

[Jillian483]

Hey

And then you're freakin' paying for two lawyers! Go to bed, Jillian.

He asked... I answered. The correct answer is yes legally it can be done. I even said that it would not be cheap. he would be looking at around a 30,000 dollar retainer. God, stop trying to tear apart other peoples posts. He asked if he could and I said yes HOWEVER it would be wiser to go in the state that the courts are in.

 

[Jillian483]

Furthermore stalth

Well..... sorta. But there really is all kindsa wrong in this post. For starters, you can only use an IN attorney if s/he is licensed to practice in IA. If s/he is not, you can have all the money in the world and pay for transportation all year long and it isn't going to do you a damned bit of good. Assuming that by "Family Lawyers Assistance Program", Jillian means some type of legal aid - an Iowa group isn't going to be able to help you as they usualy have rather stringent rules that you must be a resident of the state (sometimes even specific county).

You once again find it necessary to point out the common sense parts in my posts. I, unlike you, do not think that everyone out there us not a complete idiot. I would think that most adults would know that a lawyer has to be registered in a state to practice in that state. Most adults are aware of what a bar association is. I have read a lot of your posts on these message boards and you post more messages bashing what people ask questions for and poking jokes than doing anything that could be considered constructive. If you think that these matters are a joke then perhaps you should find a different message board. People are here to ask questions. If you do not like their questions or the answers that they get then keep it to yourself. I have been proven wrong before and am sure to admit when I am yet you constantly are unable to provide why they are wrong just that in your opinion they are. I am here to offer my own experiences and where I have gotten with them. I myself live in Illinois yet our court system is in Arizona. We looked into getting a lawyer from in Illinois to help us so I know about what it would cost to do this. It is not really adding all that much to you costs for a layers to go through another law firm because it will still be that lawyer that is doing all of the work. The only purpose for the other law firm is their ability to practice in that state. The lawyer that you hire out will still be actually be representing you it is just the 'in state" lawyer that will be the one that can do all of the work in the actual court room. Most of what you pay a lawyer is for them to do the research for your case, filling out the paperwork, and answering any questions that you may have. Stop being so critical and realize that people are here to see all perspectives and avenues that may apply for their specific case.