We will know whether or not we have a full-blown child custody legal battle in roughly 2 weeks! If you are a father seeking more time with his child or children, you had better be ready to go the distance. We are not attorneys and therefore can not offer legal advice but we can suggest that you hire the following BEFORE the start of a child custody legal dispute:
1) Local Attorney with a track record of winning - we are very thankful that we have such a person. Ask around in your community and there will be one or two attorneys which people will reference as being the most aggressive winners.
2) Forensic Trial Consultant - the forensic trial consultant will work directly with the attorney providing advice, strategy, research, referrals to experts, etc. Oftentimes a forensic trial consultant can be twice the cost of an attorney per hour. Be prepared to pay a significant amount of money for their services; anywhere from $8,000-20,000 upfront before the trial even starts.
We have been satisfied so far with the Forensic Trial Consultant that we hired in anticipation of a child custody legal dispute. We hired Dean Tong - he may or may not be right for your case. Dean Tong has appeared on thousands of radio and TV shows; along with countless books and magazines. Dean Tong is actually cited in the new book "Taken Into Custody" by Dr. Stephen Baskerville, Ph.D. Dean Tong has appeared on numerous TV shows such as Dr. Phil, Montel Williams and many more. Dean Tong has appeared on over 2000 TV and Radio Talk Shows as an expert guest.
Another factor that goes into the cost of a high powered attorney or trial consultant is how much media they generate. Dean Tong has even gone head to head against Gloria Allred in spirited debates on TV and Radio. 
Dean Tong has also consulted on the Elian Gonzalez case and scores of other high profile cases. The media seems to love Dean Tong and how he articulates his opinions! Media attention to your case will help, especially if what you are asking for in your child custody dispute is not outrageous or out of line. For example, you are asking for 25 additional overnights and you already see your children on a somewhat regular basis.
3) Hire a polygraph examiner who is consider to be the best in your region. Not your state, but your region of several states. Be sure to have several tests concluded BEFORE your trial starts.
4) Hire a solid Private Investigator from your state - it is amazing what they can find that will make your case a winner in court. If your ex currently has a spouse be sure to check on their past including the public court documents for his or her divorce if they were married prior.
5) If you have evidence of Parental Alienation, it would be unwise to go into court without first hiring a PA expert. If you hired a quality Forensic Trial Consultant they will generally know someone who will be very credible in court.
6) Hire an expert on child safety or an independent registered custody evaluator. Have them walk your entire house inside and out, including all property that the children live on or near. Have them make recommendations to your house surroundings to improve child safety. A Private Investigator can determine if there are any child safety risks where your ex lives.
The most critical part of a full-blown child custody legal dispute is to shelter the children from ANY and ALL parts of your preparation for trial. Same holds true once the trial starts - keep the children away from the increased stress load that you will certainly carry.
It is essential that you offer mediation before initiating a child custody dispute in court. It is also essential that you offer the best deal possible to get exactly what you want for you and your children and make sure it is a deal that would ALSO reduce long-term tension and future legal disputes. This attempt, if failed, can become very powerful in court. Make sure you offer this in writing and that you also let the other party know that you are offering the best you possibly can; and that you will not accept less for the same. The key to all of this is to seek long-term peace for both parties and to co-parent without the constant concern of yet another legal dispute. Your children will thank you for this when they are older.
Again, we are not attorneys so you should seek legal advice for your case with an attorney and NOT through our opinions here at DaddyBlogger.com. Make sure you buy Dr. Stephen Baskerville's book via the link above! Not only does it cite Dean Tong but also Michigan's very own Jim Semerad from Dads and Moms of Michigan.
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