Function

• The underlying function of resources available in Alabama to assist in your child support case are twofold. First, there are resources dedicated to providing effective legal representation to men and women involved in child custody cases. These include everything from private law firms to legal aid organizations that provide low cost or no cost legal representation. Second, a function of these resources is to provide information to people involved in child custody disputes. Examples of informational sources include the Alabama State Bar.
  
  

Types of Legal Representation

• Assistance is available from private law firms (as well as sole attorney practitioners) in Alabama that specialize in child custody and other family law matters. The Alabama State Bar maintains a directory of attorneys in different practice areas, including specialists in child custody matters. Private firms and attorneys charge fees for services, including requiring the payment of a retainer in most cases.
  
  Legal Services Alabama, a legal aid organization, provides low cost or no cost legal representation to individuals involved in custody disputes. Fees (if any charged) are based on a sliding scale depending on income.
  
  The University of Alabama Law School maintains a clinical program that provides legal assistance, including in custody matters, to low income individuals at no charge.
  
  

Informational Assistance

• In addition to the Alabama State Bar (which provides consumers information on a wide array of legal matters), not-for-profit organizations also provide an array of informational services. An example is Women's Law that maintains current information about child custody law, procedures and strategies in Alabama.
  
  

Time Frame

• A typical parent lacks the legal training and experience necessary to prepare a proper child custody case. Therefore, unless you do have such training, your interests are best served by obtaining legal representation promptly. At a minimum you need to take advantage of informational resources pertaining to Alabama child custody law to familiarize yourself with the basics.
  
  

Benefits

• The benefits of utilizing available information and engaging a qualified attorney is that your interests are better protected in a child custody case. This type of litigation necessarily is emotional, and the law is complex. A Herculean effort is required to make wise decisions when you find yourself in the midst of emotionally challenging litigation.