A family law attorney is one who helps clients with family law matters. This is the area of the law that includes guardianship, adoption, marriage, and divorce issues. Family lawyers can specialize in one of area or not have a specialty and help with any type of family law issue or other common areas of practice. The most common cases include child custody, divorce, and adoption, but there can be other issues that family law lawyers handle.
Family law cases can be some of the most complex legal matters and many involve very personal details that can cause a lot of significant distress to an individual. Family law encompasses multiple areas of expertise, as well as multiple legal disciplines. When dealing with a child custody case or divorce, there are many things that will need to be sorted out in order to close out the case.
Divorce and Spousal Support
Going through a divorce is one of the most challenging issues a family can face. There can be many hurt feelings and it can be hard for a couple to settle it peacefully. A family law lawyer can act as a mediator and help the couple approach issues within the law and wisely. A skilled family law attorney can help couples in the process of divorce settle without even having to go to court. Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a big issue that goes along with divorce that can be handled by a family law attorney.
Child Custody and Paternity Issues
When a couple separates, one of the hardest issues is handling what happens to the children. Parents need to agree on how best to take care of the children and what is in the children’s best interest. In some situations, either parent can also file a case asking the family court to decide on custody. In child custody cases, there needs to be a well-defined agreement, which both parents have to agree to and live with the terms. Parents that are unmarried can ask the court for legal custody, physical custody, child support, and visitation schedules. An experienced lawyer can also help parents draft and change current custody agreements.
Adoption Issues
Adopting a child can be a big ordeal and a family lawyer can help with all the legal processes and details required by the state. If you want to make sure that the adoption process is done correctly and smoothly, hiring a skilled family lawyer is important. You don’t want to have delays in the process that could keep you from adding a new family member. Adopting a child can be an expensive and lengthy process, which is why it’s recommended to have an attorney help you through the process.
Domestic Violence Issues and Protection Orders
Family law attorneys also handle issues such as protection orders and domestic violence. Some lawyers may not take on domestic violence cases, but one can help determine if legal action is going to be necessary and represent you in court if it is.
Termination of Parental Rights
If there are grave issues that happen and a parent is no longer able to have a parental relationship with a child then the family court will terminate that parent’s rights. Family law attorneys can be a part of this process.
Juvenile Matters
Family court also oversees matters where there are allegations of child neglect or child abuse.
Handling Wills and Estates
Wills are the legal documents that state how you want your property to be divided when you die. Family law attorneys can help assist you with drafting wills and other issues regarding your estate.
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a contract signed by a couple before marriage. The content of such an agreement may vary from one couple to another, but the goal is to list out provisions of spousal support and division of property in the event of a divorce. Family law lawyers are there to help a couple draft an agreement and handle matters that can arise from the agreement.
Help with Name Changes
If a parent wants to change the name of a child or an adult wants to change his or her name, they have to do so in the court system. A family lawyer can help with the process.
Guardianship
Guardianship helps determine who is going to be responsible for medical, financial, and personal decisions over a child or adult who isn’t able to take care of themselves. Family law attorneys can help you create an agreement.
Representation in Court
Even though many family law attorneys want to help people settle outside the court, some of these matters will still end up in the court. Family lawyers can help litigants get justice. These attorneys handle these types of cases every day and have the right legal knowledge and experience to help navigate the complexities of family law and make sure that justice is served.
Offer Peace of Mind
There can be a lot of paperwork and filing when it comes to many family issues. Even if you think you can handle the paperwork for any of these issues on your own, a lawyer can give you peace of mind to make sure that you are doing it correctly and can help you understand what the other party requests.
When choosing a family law attorney, you want to make sure that you can build a trusting relationship. You need to hire a lawyer who is serious about the case and listens to your requests and becomes your partner in the legal process. Since the issues under family law are so broad and are about relationships with loved ones, it’s necessary to have a good attorney to help you navigate the system. A good attorney can help you with the best course of action and give you helpful information and resources to assist you with your case. Family law attorneys at Birk Law Firm have the experience needed to handle even the most complex family law issues.
