Can a judge or lawyer tell a client that they will win a case, before hearing both sides of the case, does having the most money help you win?

While it is true that having money to pay for legal representation helps immeasurably in a custody case, there is simply no way that a judge said that he's going to win because he has more money. You do not pay the judge as part of a custody dispute. The court uses a "best interests of the child" analysis to determine custodial rights and parenting time. While money can play a part in that, as it allows for things like food, clothing, and shelter, it's just one of many factors that a court looks into when determining custody.    So will they win because they have money for lawyers? Not necessarily, but what a lawyer CAN do is make the case that it is in the best interest of a child to stay with one parent over another better than any lay person.