This professional is a family lawyer who specializes in child custody cases, helping to protect children’s rights. To become a child custody lawyer you would have to pursue the same path as any lawyer but specializing in child custody cases. In most states, you would need an undergraduate degree, like a bachelor’s degree before you can go to law school. When getting your law degree your bachelor’s degree does not need to be in a subject related to law. If you have already chosen your career path there are some existing pre-law specializations. For example, when specializing in custody law, you could major in social work, philosophy, or psychology. Any of these majors will help give you a unique education that will help you further down your path to become a child custody lawyer.
When getting your bachelor’s degree make sure that you are maintaining a high GPA as this may help you get into this type of school. On the road to becoming a child custody lawyer, applying to such a school is often stressful and rigorous but is a necessary step to becoming a lawyer. When completing all of the required application letters take your time to ensure that you are doing them correctly. If any have a deadline to summit them, try to get them done first so they will get there on time. During the application process for law school, you will need letters of recommendations so try to get professionals you know or former teachers to write the recommendation letters for you.
To get into law school most require applicants to submit standardized test scores that focus on the general law. One such test is the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This is a very hard test to pass but is needed in order to get into law school. Before taking the exam experts recommend that you study for this test at least six to twelve months in order to pass, get a good grade and possible admission to law school. When attending law school, you should tailor any elective courses so they relate to family law subjects. While at law school and during your undergraduate schooling you should look for assistant or internships with a family law firm. This extra training can provide you with a wealth of information it can also help you establish a professional contact network. Once you have completed law school you will have to sit and pass the bar exam for your state or the state where you will be practicing as a child custody lawyer.
Although you are specializing in child custody cases, you will start out as a family attorney. It may take several years to gain expertise and become an established child custody lawyer.