Your Lawyer
The most obvious starting point for advice should be your lawyer. Since custody is a legal issue, you need to have access to a professional who knows the intricacies of family law. Make sure that your lawyer has experience with custody cases. If your lawyer does not have this experience, than ask for a referral of someone who does.
County Programs
If you live near a city, then it is likely that you will find a county department that deals exclusively with family issues and child welfare. This can be a great resource for learning more about your options. Most county offices are tax-subsidized, which means you can utilize their services at no cost. Some of the services you will find include free literature, workshops, and the option to work with an individual case worker.
The Library
The library is another free resource that will help you learn and understand the process involved with child custody cases. Don’t be intimidated with the abundance of information available. The staff librarians are masters at searching through resources. Be prepared with questions on the topics you are searching for and ask for their assistance. You will be amazed at the information you can access at no charge.
Build a Network
Always remember that you are not the only person going through this uncertain time in your life. There are thousands of others with the same questions as you, and thousands more who have successfully won their custody case. Look for meeting groups in your area where you can network with these people. This can include single parent groups, divorce support groups, and even PTA meetings. Wherever parents meet you will always find a segment of the population that has experienced custody issues.
Internet Resources
The internet is full of resources for divorced parents. Of course you should always proceed cautiously on the advice of strangers, but there is no reason you can’t use the internet as a source for information and inspiration. Outside of reading informative articles, you can also network on one of the many forums related to divorce and marriage issues. Practically every parent who is involved with marriage problems has a custody concern, making these forums a great place to ask questions.
You can’t expect to know everything about child custody, so don’t let the pressure of the situation bog you down. Instead, make a resolution to learn as much as you can. Start researching and building relationships with people who have experience in the matter. You will begin to feel more comfortable as you learn more about the subject.