Legal Disclaimer | Custody.mom

Primary Disclaimer

THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION

CUSTODY.MOM IS NOT A LAW FIRM. WE DO NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. NOTHING ON THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE OR CREATES AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

This statement cannot be emphasized enough.

What This Means

We provide:

✓ General educational information about child custody law
✓ Explanations of legal concepts and processes
✓ Overviews of state custody laws
✓ Connections to licensed attorneys who CAN provide legal advice
✓ Tools and resources for informational purposes

We do NOT provide:

Legal advice tailored to your specific situation
Legal representation in court
Analysis of your particular case
Predictions about your case outcome
Strategic guidance for your circumstances
Professional legal services

The Critical Difference

Legal Information (What We Provide): “In California, courts consider the best interests of the child when making custody decisions. Factors include the child’s health, safety, and welfare.”

Legal Advice (What Attorneys Provide): “Based on your specific situation with your ex-spouse’s substance abuse history and your documentation of involvement in your child’s education and medical care, you should request sole legal custody with joint physical custody on a supervised basis initially. Here’s the strategy we’ll use…”

See the difference? We provide the first. You need an attorney for the second.

Not A Law Firm

What Custody.mom Is and Is Not

Custody.mom is:

✓ An online educational resource
✓ An information platform
✓ An attorney matching service
✓ A tool provider
✓ A content publisher

Custody.mom is NOT:

A law firm
A legal practice
A provider of legal services
A professional services firm
A substitute for an attorney

We Do Not Practice Law

We do not:

Represent clients in legal matters
Appear in court on anyone’s behalf
File legal documents on behalf of users
Negotiate with other parties
Draft legal documents for filing (we may provide templates for educational purposes only)
Provide legal opinions
Evaluate legal claims
Practice law in any jurisdiction

Doing these things without a license would be unauthorized practice of law (UPL), which is illegal.

No One at Custody.mom Is Your Attorney

Even if licensed attorneys work for Custody.mom:

They are not working in a legal capacity on this website
They are not providing legal services through this platform
They are not your attorney by virtue of their employment here
Any content they create is educational, not legal advice

Your attorney is someone you formally hire to represent you, not anyone associated with this website.

No Legal Advince

We Do Not Give Legal Advice

NOTHING ON THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE.

This is true regardless of:

How specific the information seems
How detailed the explanation is
How much it relates to your situation
How helpful you find it
What state you’re in
What you’re using the information for

What IS Legal Advice?

Legal advice includes:

Analysis of your specific facts and circumstances
Application of law to your particular situation
Recommendations for action in your case
Strategic guidance for your legal matter
Predictions about likely outcomes in your case
Evaluation of your legal claims or defenses
Telling you what you should or shouldn’t do legally

Legal advice requires:

Attorney-client relationship
Licensed attorney
Analysis of specific circumstances
Professional responsibility to client
Attorney-client privilege

What We Provide (NOT Legal Advice)

We provide legal information:

General explanations of legal concepts
Overviews of legal processes
Summaries of laws by state
Educational content about custody
Examples and illustrations (hypothetical)
Resources and tools

This is:

Public information
General education
Reference material
Starting point for research

NOT:

Advice specific to you
Analysis of your case
Recommendations for your situation
Attorney services

Examples to Illustrate

Legal Information (We Provide):

“Courts in most states consider factors like parental fitness, child’s wishes (if age-appropriate), and ability to provide stable home when making custody decisions.”
“To file for custody modification, you generally must show a material change in circumstances.”
“Joint legal custody means both parents share decision-making authority for major decisions.”

Legal Advice (Attorneys Provide):

“You should file for emergency custody immediately because of what you told me about the domestic violence incident.”
“Based on your income and the custody schedule we’re proposing, you would owe approximately $X in child support.”
“Don’t mention your DUI from five years ago in your declaration unless opposing counsel brings it up first.”

We provide the former. Attorneys provide the latter.

Why the Distinction Matters

Legal advice:

Creates legal duties and responsibilities
Creates liability for malpractice
Is protected by attorney-client privilege
Requires professional insurance
Subject to ethical rules
Can only be given by licensed attorneys

Legal information:

No special legal relationship
No professional duties owed
Not privileged
Can be provided by non-lawyers
Used at reader’s own risk

No Attorney Client Relationship

No Legal Relationship Exists

USING CUSTODY.MOM DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

No attorney-client relationship exists between:

You and Custody.mom (we’re not lawyers)
You and anyone who works for Custody.mom
You and attorneys in our network (unless you formally hire them)
You and anyone associated with this website

What Creates Attorney-Client Relationship

An attorney-client relationship is created when:

You formally hire an attorney
Attorney explicitly agrees to represent you
Usually evidenced by written retainer agreement
After consultation where both parties agree
Attorney begins providing legal services to you

NOT created by:

Visiting this website
Reading our content
Using our tools
Submitting attorney request form
Receiving attorney contact information
Attorney contacting you once
Having free consultation
Sending email to us or attorney

No Attorney-Client Privilege

Communications with Custody.mom are NOT privileged:

Not protected by attorney-client privilege
Not confidential legal communications
May be disclosed if legally required
Can be used against you
No expectation of privacy in legal sense

Do NOT send us:

Confidential legal information
Sensitive case details
Information you want protected
Information you wouldn’t want disclosed

Once you hire an attorney:

Communications with that attorney generally privileged
Subject to exceptions (crime-fraud, etc.)
Governed by their confidentiality obligations
Consult that attorney about privilege scope

No Fiduciary Duty

We owe you no fiduciary duty:

No duty of loyalty
No duty to act in your best interest
No duty to prioritize your interests over others
No special legal obligations to you
Relationship is simply website user/provider

Independent Research Required

You must:

Conduct your own legal research
Verify information independently
Consult with licensed attorney
Make your own legal decisions
Not rely solely on our content

Educational Information Only

Purpose and Scope of Our Content

All content on Custody.mom is for educational and informational purposes only.

What “Educational Purpose” Means

Our content is designed to:

Help you understand custody laws generally
Explain legal processes and procedures
Introduce legal concepts and terminology
Provide overview of state law variations
Help you have informed discussions with attorneys
Assist you in understanding what to expect

Our content is NOT designed to:

Replace attorney consultation
Provide case-specific guidance
Tell you what to do in your situation
Predict outcomes in your case
Serve as your only source of legal information

Limitations of Educational Content

Educational content is:

General by nature
Simplified for readability
Not comprehensive or exhaustive
Cannot cover all scenarios
Cannot account for all variables
Starting point, not ending point

Cannot replace:

Professional legal advice
Lawyer’s analysis of your facts
Strategic guidance for your case
Representation in legal proceedings

How to Use Our Content Appropriately

DO use our content to:

Learn about custody law generally
Understand basic legal concepts
Prepare questions for attorney consultation
Research before hiring attorney
Understand what to expect in process
Supplement attorney’s guidance

DON’T use our content to:

Replace hiring an attorney
Make legal decisions without professional help
File legal documents without attorney review
Represent yourself in complex matters
Rely on as your sole source of information

State Law Variations

Laws Vary Dramatically by State

CHILD CUSTODY LAWS DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM STATE TO STATE.

This is one of the most important limitations of our content.

How States Differ

States vary on:

Custody Types and Terminology:

Some states use “legal custody” and “physical custody”
Some use “parenting time” instead of “visitation”
Some use “allocation of parental responsibilities”
Terminology differs significantly

Factors Courts Consider:

Each state has its own statutory factors
Some states have 10+ factors
Some have broader discretion
Weight given to factors varies
Some factors exist only in certain states

Standards for Modification:

Different standards for changing custody
Some require “substantial change”
Others “material change in circumstances”
Burden of proof varies
Timeframes vary

Relocation Rules:

Dramatically different by state
Some require court permission
Some only require notice
Distance thresholds vary
Procedures completely different

Presumptions:

Some states presume joint custody
Some have no presumptions
Some presume against domestic violence perpetrators
Rebuttability varies

Procedures:

Filing procedures differ
Required documents vary
Mandatory mediation in some states
Parent education requirements differ
Timelines vary significantly

Our State-Specific Content

We provide state-specific pages, but:

Cannot cover every detail of state law
Cannot cover every local variation
Cannot account for recent changes
Cannot replace consulting local attorney
Should be verified with official sources

Even within states:

County rules may differ
Local procedures vary
Judges have discretion
Court culture differs

You Must Verify for Your State

Always:

Consult your state’s current statutes
Check your local court rules
Hire attorney licensed in your state
Verify information is current
Understand your jurisdiction’s requirements

Never:

Assume another state’s law applies to you
Rely on general information for specific case
Use forms or procedures from wrong state
Assume our summaries are complete

Information Acurracy And Currency

Limitations on Accuracy and Timeliness

While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is accurate, complete, or current.

Accuracy Limitations

Despite our best efforts:

Information may contain errors or omissions
Explanations may be oversimplified
Details may be incomplete
Interpretations may vary
Errors may occur in writing or editing

We are not liable for:

Inaccuracies in content
Errors or omissions
Outdated information
Misinterpretations
Consequences of relying on inaccurate information

Currency Limitations

Laws change constantly:

Legislatures pass new statutes
Courts issue new decisions
Procedures are updated
Rules change
Forms are revised

Our content:

Reflects law at time of writing
May not reflect recent changes
Updated periodically, not constantly
May lag behind legal developments
Has “last updated” dates (when available)

Legal change examples:

New custody factors added by legislature
Court decision changing interpretation
Procedural rules modified
Forms updated
Requirements changed

Your Responsibility to Verify

You must:

Check official legal sources
Verify current law in your state
Consult current court rules
Review recent case law
Hire attorney who knows current law
Not rely solely on our content

Official sources include:

State statutes (official government websites)
Court rules (court websites)
Recent case law (legal databases)
Licensed attorneys (current on law)

No Duty to Update

We have no obligation to:

Keep all content current
Update for every legal change
Notify users of changes
Maintain accuracy perpetually
Monitor legal developments constantly

When we do update:

Best efforts basis
No guarantee of currency
May prioritize certain content
Cannot catch every change immediately

Attorney Matching Service Disclaimer

Limitations of Our Referral Service

Our attorney matching service connects parents with licensed attorneys, but we make no guarantees about attorney quality, performance, or outcomes.

What We Do

We:

Verify attorneys are licensed in their state
Check basic state bar standing
Confirm family law focus
Share your information with selected attorneys (1-3)
Facilitate initial contact

What We DON’T Do

We do NOT:

Evaluate attorney competence or skill
Guarantee attorney quality
Endorse specific attorneys
Recommend one attorney over another
Monitor attorney performance
Supervise attorney work
Control attorney fees
Guarantee attorney availability
Ensure attorney ethics
Verify attorney experience claims
Conduct background checks beyond bar status
Interview or test attorneys
Review attorney case outcomes

Attorney Independence

Attorneys in our network are:

Independent professionals
Not our employees
Not our agents
Not supervised by us
Running their own practices
Making their own decisions
Setting their own fees
Responsible for their own conduct

We are NOT responsible for:

Attorney malpractice
Attorney ethics violations
Attorney misconduct
Attorney performance
Attorney-client disputes
Attorney fees or billing disputes
Legal outcomes
Satisfaction with attorney services

Your Responsibility

You must:

Conduct your own due diligence
Research attorneys independently
Check state bar records yourself
Read reviews and references
Interview multiple attorneys
Verify credentials and experience
Trust your instincts
Make your own hiring decision
Review retainer agreements carefully
Understand fee structures

Don’t rely solely on:

Our screening process
Fact that attorney is in our network
Information attorney provides in profile
Our facilitation of contact

No Guarantees

We make NO guarantees about:

Attorney quality or competence
Case outcomes
Attorney responsiveness
Satisfaction with services
Attorney availability
Cost of services
Time to resolution
Success in your case

Complaints About Attorneys

If you have issues with an attorney:

File complaint with state bar association
Contact state lawyer discipline authority
Seek legal remedies if appropriate
We are not the proper complaint recipient
We cannot mediate attorney-client disputes
We cannot provide refunds for attorney services

We may:

Remove attorneys with verified serious complaints
Monitor for patterns of issues
But we don’t investigate or resolve individual disputes

No Guarantees Or Warranties

Disclaimers of All Warranties

WE PROVIDE NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND.

Information Disclaimers

We make no warranty that:

Information is accurate
Information is complete
Information is current
Information applies to your situation
Information will be helpful
Information will lead to favorable outcomes

Service Disclaimers

We make no warranty that:

Website will be available uninterrupted
Website will be error-free
Defects will be corrected
Tools will provide accurate results
Services will meet your needs
Services will be provided indefinitely

Attorney Disclaimers

We make no warranty that:

Attorneys will contact you
Attorneys will be available
Attorneys will accept your case
Attorneys will be competent
You will be satisfied with attorneys
Legal outcomes will be favorable

“As Is” Provision

All content and services provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE”:

No implied warranties
No warranty of merchantability
No warranty of fitness for particular purpose
No warranty of non-infringement
No warranty of title
All warranties disclaimed to maximum extent permitted by law

No Professional Warranties

We do not warrant:

Professional competence (we’re not professionals providing services)
Professional standards met
Professional liability coverage
Professional expertise
Professional advice quality

Reliance On Information

Using Information at Your Own Risk

YOU USE ALL INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

No Reliance Recommended

You should NOT rely on:

Our content as legal advice
Our content as your sole source of information
Our content for making legal decisions
Our content as current or accurate
Our content as complete or comprehensive
Our attorney screening as sufficient due diligence

Consequences of Reliance

If you rely on our information:

You do so voluntarily
You assume all risks
You bear all consequences
We are not responsible for outcomes
We are not liable for damages
You waive certain claims against us

Better Sources for Legal Decisions

For legal decisions, rely on:

Licensed attorney’s advice specific to your case
Official legal sources (statutes, court rules)
Current case law
Your attorney’s research and analysis
Court rulings in your case

NOT:

General website content
Generic legal information
Unofficial sources
Your own legal interpretation
Non-attorney advice

Examples of Inappropriate Reliance

DON’T do these things:

File court documents based solely on our content
Make custody decisions without attorney
Represent yourself using only our information
Assume our state law summary is complete
Use our tools without attorney verification
Ignore attorney advice based on our content
Miss deadlines assuming our timelines are exact
Rely on our content in court

These are inappropriate uses that could harm your case.

Need For Professional Legal Counsel

You Need an Attorney

YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH A LICENSED ATTORNEY ABOUT YOUR CUSTODY CASE.

This cannot be emphasized enough.

Why You Need an Attorney

Custody cases are:

Complex legally
High stakes (your relationship with children)
Governed by complicated laws
Subject to procedural requirements
Emotionally charged
Often contentious
Fact-specific
Requiring professional expertise

Attorneys provide:

Legal advice specific to your situation
Strategic guidance for your case
Professional representation
Court experience
Knowledge of local procedures
Objective perspective
Protection of your rights
Advocacy for your interests

When to Hire Attorney

You should hire attorney for:

Contested custody cases
Any case going to court
Cases with complications (DV, substance abuse, etc.)
Relocation cases
Modification of orders
Enforcement issues
Emergency situations
Any high-stakes custody matter

Even in “simple” cases:

Attorney can ensure proper procedures followed
Attorney can spot issues you miss
Attorney can draft better documents
Attorney can negotiate better terms
Small investment can prevent big problems

Our Attorney Matching Service

We can help you find an attorney:

Use our attorney matching service
Connect with 1-3 licensed attorneys
Free consultations typically offered
No obligation to hire

Don’t Go It Alone

Representing yourself (pro se) is:

Risky in custody cases
Often leads to poor outcomes
Not recommended for contested matters
Acceptable only in truly uncontested cases

Even if you can’t afford attorney:

Look into legal aid
Seek limited scope representation
Use payment plans
Borrow from family
It’s worth the investment

Your children’s future is too important to risk.

Court Rules And Procedures

Local Rules Vary

COURT PROCEDURES AND RULES VARY BY JURISDICTION.

Our Content is General

We provide:

General overview of typical custody process
Common procedures across jurisdictions
General timeline expectations
Typical custody factors

We cannot provide:

Specific local court rules
County-specific procedures
Individual judge’s preferences
Exact timelines for your court
Required forms for your jurisdiction

You Must Check Local Rules

Every jurisdiction has:

Local court rules (in addition to state rules)
Specific forms required
Particular procedures
Filing requirements
Timing requirements
Formatting requirements

You must:

✓ Check your county court’s website
✓ Review local rules thoroughly
✓ Use correct forms for your jurisdiction
✓ Follow local procedures exactly
✓ Meet local deadlines
✓ Hire local attorney who knows local rules

Consequences of Not Following Rules

If you don’t follow local rules:

Case may be dismissed
Documents may be rejected
Motions may be denied
You may miss deadlines
You may lose rights
Judge may be frustrated with you

Local rules are mandatory, not optional.

Limitation Of Liability

Our Limited Liability

WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR RELIANCE ON ITS CONTENT.

What We’re Not Liable For

We are NOT liable for:

Inaccurate or outdated information
Errors or omissions in content
Your reliance on content
Legal outcomes in your case
Attorney performance or malpractice
Decisions you make based on content
Damages from using our services
Lost custody or parenting time
Financial losses
Emotional distress
Any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages

Cap on Liability

To maximum extent permitted by law:

Our liability is limited
See Terms of Service for complete limitation
Generally limited to $100 or amount you paid (which is $0 for free services)

Basis of Limitation

These limitations exist because:

We provide free educational information
We cannot provide free services without liability protections
You assume risks of using free information
You should verify information independently
You should consult professional attorney

Third Party Content

Information from Other Sources

Our website may contain links to, or information from, third-party sources.

Third-Party Links

We link to:

Official government websites
Court websites
State bar associations
Legal resources
Attorney websites
Other educational resources

We do NOT:

Control third-party content
Endorse third-party content
Verify third-party accuracy
Update when third-party content changes
Assume responsibility for third-party sites

Your Use of Third-Party Sites

When you click external link:

You leave Custody.mom
Third-party’s terms apply
Third-party’s privacy policy applies
We have no control over what happens
You use at your own risk

You should:

Read their policies
Understand you’re on different site
Exercise caution with your information

Changes To Information

Information May Change

We may update, modify, or remove information at any time without notice.

Why Information Changes

We may update content because:

Laws change
Procedures change
We discover errors
We improve explanations
We add new information
We receive feedback
Court rules change

No Obligation to Update

We have NO obligation to:

Notify you of changes
Keep all information current
Maintain outdated information
Provide change history
Update older content

Your Responsibility

You are responsible for:

Checking “last updated” dates
Verifying information is current
Rechecking information periodically
Not relying on potentially outdated content

Jurisdiction Specific Disclaimers

Additional Disclaimers by State/Country

Certain jurisdictions require additional disclaimers.

Texas Disclaimer

If applicable to Texas users: “This website is an advertisement for attorney services.”

New York Disclaimer

If applicable to New York users: “Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.”

California Disclaimer

If applicable to California users: “This website provides information only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice.”

Other Jurisdictions

We comply with attorney advertising rules and disclaimers required in all jurisdictions where we operate.

Your Responsibility

What You Must Do

Using this website responsibly is YOUR responsibility.

You Must:

Verify Information:

Check information against official sources
Verify currency of information
Confirm applicability to your state
Don’t assume accuracy

Consult Professionals:

Hire qualified attorney
Get legal advice for your case
Follow attorney’s guidance
Don’t rely solely on website

Exercise Caution:

Use information carefully
Don’t make legal decisions without professional help
Understand limitations
Assume risks of use

Follow the Law:

Comply with all applicable laws
Follow court rules and procedures
Meet all deadlines
File appropriate documents

Protect Yourself:

Conduct due diligence on attorneys
Read retainer agreements carefully
Keep copies of all documents
Document everything in your case

You Must NOT:

Rely Inappropriately:

Treat information as legal advice
Make legal decisions based solely on website
Use as substitute for attorney
Assume information is complete or current

Misuse Information:

Violate laws based on misunderstanding
Harm others using information
Practice law without license
Represent others without authorization

Make Assumptions:

Assume we’ve verified everything
Assume attorneys are competent based solely on network inclusion
Assume favorable outcome
Assume information applies to you

Contact For Legal Advice

How to Get Actual Legal Help

IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE (and you probably do), contact a licensed attorney.

Finding an Attorney

Use our attorney matching service:

Complete simple form
Matched with 1-3 attorneys in your area
Free consultations offered
No obligation to hire

Other Resources

State Bar Referral Services:

Every state bar has lawyer referral
Google “[Your State] bar association lawyer referral”
Often discounted initial consultations

Legal Aid:

If income-qualified, may be free
Google “[Your State] legal aid”
Limited availability

Attorney Directories:

Avvo.com
Lawyers.com
Martindale.com
Research attorneys independently

Do NOT Contact Custody.mom for Legal Advice

We CANNOT:

Provide legal advice to you
Analyze your specific situation
Tell you what to do in your case
Predict outcomes
Review documents for filing
Represent you

If you email us asking for legal advice:

We will remind you we can’t provide it
We will suggest consulting an attorney
We will offer our attorney matching service
We will NOT analyze your case

Contact us only for:

General questions about the website
Technical issues
Information about our services
Feedback or suggestions

NOT for legal advice about your case.

Acknowledgment And Acceptance

You Understand and Agree

BY USING CUSTODY.MOM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:

You have read this Legal Disclaimer in its entirety
You understand Custody.mom is not a law firm
You understand no legal advice is provided
You understand no attorney-client relationship exists
You understand information is general and educational only
You understand state laws vary significantly
You understand information may not be accurate or current
You understand we make no guarantees about attorney quality
You understand you use website at your own risk
You understand you should consult with licensed attorney
You understand we have limited liability
You understand your responsibility to verify information
You assume all risks of using the website
You will not rely solely on website content for legal decisions
You will hire qualified attorney for legal advice

Final Warning

The Bottom Line

CHILD CUSTODY CASES ARE SERIOUS LEGAL MATTERS THAT REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION.

This website:

Provides general information
Cannot replace attorney
Should not be relied upon as legal advice
Is starting point for education, not ending point

You need:

Licensed attorney in your state
Professional legal advice
Representation in court
Strategic guidance for your specific case

Don’t risk your relationship with your children by relying solely on general website information.

Hire an attorney.