Even the simplest divorce cases can include complex issues that make the presence of a family law attorney a necessity. For example, your spouse has agreed to pay monthly support, but do you know to insist on disability and life insurance policies? That way, the support payments aren’t interrupted if your spouse is injured or killed.
If court or other forms of conflict resolution are not right for you, we can assist you with mediation. This is a binding settlement of your legal matters that has lasting effects without having to go to court.
Have you been hesitant to file for divorce because your spouse is your sole source of income? Depending on your unique situation, you may be eligible to receive spousal support.
Child support is a scary but necessary part of any family dissolution. We can help you not only figure out the right amount of child support needed for your child, but should the unthinkable happen, we can help collect if needed.
Most states allow for an annulment of a marriage if the ceremony was against the law. For example, it is illegal for a person to have more than one spouse or to marry a blood relative. Both those cases qualify for an annulment in most areas of the country.
Have you been the victim of domestic violence? Based on your situation we can offer advice on a variety of options. One may include a protective court order that makes any further contact with you illegal.
Family law is a broad aspect of the law, ranging from guardianships to divorce- even reaching to end of life issues. For that reason, it is one of those fields which is always changing. That means that a family law specialist has a constant need to keep to date.
What does it mean if a parent has legal child custody? This means that the parent is responsible for the everyday decisions which affect the child’s lifestyle – for example, choosing a pediatrician and school and outlining the child’s diet and bedtime.
One of the scariest parts of a divorce for many people is simply not knowing what is going to happen next. We will sit down and map out the entire divorce proceeding so you know what to expect at all times.
When you are looking for help in setting up guardianship for a family member who cannot care for themselves, a family lawyer can help you file the correct paperwork and ensure that you have the evidence to prove that such a decision is necessary.
Some of the most common grounds for annulment throughout include lack of consent or dishonesty. For example, if one or both spouses were drunk when the marriage took place that can qualify as lack of consent.
While it was sometimes much more difficult for fathers to get custody of their children in the past, this has changed. In a divorce case that involves children, the court will look at factors like the child's preference, the mental and physical well-being of each parent, and the environment each parent could provide when making custody decisions.
According to the author of the book, “Secret of Happy Couples,” the top reason for getting divorce is infidelity. That was followed by lying and addictions, according to Kim Olver, who studied 100 marriages.
We are experts in a variety of legal areas, referred to collectively as "family law." That includes everything from divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence and prenuptial agreements.
Can child visitation rights be granted to grandparents, or other family members and friends who are close to the child? Yes. In many instances after a divorce or separation, visitation rights may be granted to the people who have a strong long-term relationship with the child.
Mediation can be a simpler, less painful way to arrange for your divorce to be finalized. It can also be considerably less expensive in some cases, especially if your divorce is likely to be a complicated one.
Divorces do not have to be bitter and ugly. In many cases, couples simply grow apart and want to dissolve their marriage. We have experience with divorces that are friendly and those that are bitter and hotly contested.
Although a family court judge will examine the full situation to determine the living arrangement in the child’s best interest, your child may have some say in the matter once they reach a certain age. Let’s talk about how we can help you ensure your child’s voice is heard in court.
It’s important to remember that representing yourself is generally not a good strategy, but this goes double for family law matters. When you need an experienced attorney to walk you through the potential pitfalls, we’re always here for you.
We understand that no two divorces are necessarily alike. When you work with us, we’ll treat you and your situation with the care and attention you deserve from your attorney.
If you are considering divorce, you are far from alone. According to 2009 statistics from the U.S. Census, the national divorce rate was 3.4 for every 1,000 people.
If you are facing a custody battle, we highly recommend that you keep a calendar for everything. This will not only help you look back and remember details, but it can provide crucial documentation of other events and happenings.