Family Law: Reasons to Seek Counsel

When it comes to family law, you don't always know how a situation is going to turn out. Just because you are close with the people involved (you may even be part of the same bloodline), it can't hurt to have legal representation. If something unexpected does happen you already have someone that knows what is going on and can legally assist you in any way possible.

Divorce, Custody, and Alimony

When marriages end in divorce it can be a sad situation for everyone involved. Even if a couple agrees that it is for the best there are still legal matters that need to be handled under family law. Emotions tend to run high and just because things are going okay now doesn't mean that they are going to continue in a positive direction. If everyone has a representative, there is at least one person on each side that is going to have a clear head and knows the proper procedures and protocols for the situation.

Children and finances can turn any amicable divorce into a nightmare. At times it can even be difficult to figure out what is going to be best for the kids. A family law attorney can help you negotiate visitations as well as alimony that needs to be paid. If you aren't sure what is practical you can seek out the advice of your legal counsel and get unbiased opinions of what you should do next. Don't just assume that everyone is going to get along as each and every issue is resolved.

Adoption

Adding a new member to the group can be exciting. However, there are a lot of different things that need to be taken care of when making someone a permanent member. There is paperwork that needs to be filed that will change their status and their name. In some instances, you will need to have the birth parent or parents withdraw their rights in order to make the adoption legal. Typically there are court hearings to determine the competency of biological or adoptive parents. Again, no matter what the situation, it is important to have a family law attorney present to represent you.

Whether the case lasts just a day or drags on for weeks, you need someone to let you know about the rights that you have, the options that you have, and what you need to do to make sure that the outcome falls in your favor. If everything is done correctly the first time, there is no chance of someone contesting the adoption at a later date. Even if you know the birth parent and have created a relationship with them during the adoption process, you need to have a lawyer.

Wills and Trusts

People that have gone through divorce or any other types of cases involving children will tell you that having a lawyer to represent you is invaluable. Another situation that tends to separate relatives is the establishment or reading of a will. Whether a person is still alive and wants to plan for the future or they have just passed on, people tend to argue about what part of the estate becomes their inheritance. Even if you all usually get along, you still need to have a family law attorney to represent you individually.