The points shared herein may help save you time, money, and get a quicker reunion with your children. 

My first long-term association with lawyers began because of being alienated from my daughter, Alexis.  My first meeting was with a sharp-dressed man who wore a bow tie, my second appointment was with a lawyer who was slouchy and wore suspenders. 

The third lawyer was known to my former wife’s family, and I believed hiring him would most likely embarrass my former wife.  Many years later, I discovered my former father-in-law went off the rails and urged this lawyer to end his representation of me. To his credit, he represented me for a while, but it was later my choice to have a different lawyer represent me.

My inner instincts led me to hire my third lawyer was initially a great decision. He successfully stopped my former wife’s attempt to move out of the area and successfully obtained a change in overnight visitation which improved my time with Alexis. 

As I reflect upon the timing of his representation, I now realize Parental Alienation had begun, but I didn’t fully understand PA at that time. 

Later it was clear to me something was wrong, and PA began to appear as a new tactic of agitation. 

While Alexis was in her mother’s care, I frequently visited the library to gain understanding, wisdom, and information about the anomalies which seemed evil to me.  The librarian passed along some magazine articles about family law and some books which help point me in the direction of Alienation.

The mistakes I’ve made with lawyers were numerous.  I wanted to share with my alienated readers the best practice you should consider when finding your own lawyer to represent your claims of being an alienated parent,  

Note: You must realize legal action is taken to solidify the future with your child or children.  Your direct decision to hire a lawyer is crucial.  You must also realize your lawyer will be a key person to hire, suggest and promote other necessary professionals who will work for the benefit of your kid(s).

1. Quickly realize finding a lawyer to represent your case differs from a traditional divorce lawyer whereas an agreement is made with parents who can co-parent the children..

2. Your focus isn’t to locate a good family lawyer who can resolve traditional divorce issues. You need to look for a lawyer who has a successful track record in reuniting children with alienated parents.

3.   Its’ been my experience that about twenty percent of the lawyers who represent family law are great candidates for your urgent needs.

4. You should ask friends and relatives for good lawyers whom they have worked with and had success.  Use this bedrock of information and begin calling those who were recommended.  Once on the phone with the legal secretary or lawyer, simply ask for a legal hero who can successfully navigate a case involving parental alienation.  Please note this step is important because you will find many lawyers who represent family law who will recommend a real legal hero for PA.  Once they provide a name, you should immediately call and speak with the recommended lawyer. If they pass your own gut instincts, you simply ask to meet with them in person as quickly as possible. 

5. Once you meet the potential legal hero, you must take control of the meeting and interview the potential legal hero.  Let them know you are being alienated and would like to understand how many cases, they have won when Parental Alienation was present. 

6. If your appointment is great and you believe this potential legal hero should be your choice, ask about the fees and take a day to consider this person’s interview.

7. Once you end the interview, your next step should be to locate Google and Yelp reviews to find out if they have a highly favorable rating.  If they have only a few reviews, preceded with caution. 

8. You may also consider calling the local bar association and asking the secretary if they can provide a few names of lawyers who are successful regarding Parental Alienation cases.  Some Bar Associations will provide the basic information you’re seeking while others will not.  Do not give up.  Keep fighting and searching.

Most effective lawyers are Alpha males or Alpha Women, they should breathe fire when chastising the agitator but speak softly when required, and never allow the Alpha types to go against your gut instincts. 

Love is the greatest defender,

Darel L. Long