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Situations Where You Might Need a Family Law Attorney

Different types of attorneys specialize in different types of cases, so it’s important to know when to hire which type of attorney. A family law attorney can help you resolve legal issues that may be affecting your family, representing you to make sure your interests are protected and you have a voice. From marriage and divorce to child support and adoption, family law attorneys cover a wide range of cases. If you want to know more about when you need a family law attorney, here are the basics.

Divorce

Unfortunately, marriages don’t always last. What’s even worse is the fact that a divorce can cause serious legal and financial problems for both parties involved. If you’re planning on legally separating from your spouse, hiring a family law attorney is an important part of making sure you get a fair deal in the divorce. If you have kids, you need to make sure you’ll still be able to spend enough time with them. As far as property goes, it’s important to decide how you’re going to split everything up if you want the divorce to go as smoothly as possible. A family law attorney can help you navigate the complexities of your divorce and find the simplest solution.

Guardianship

There are a number of reasons a person might need to assume legal guardianship of another person, from the death of a loved one to an attempt to keep a loved one out of foster care. While legal guardianship may seem like a simple enough concept, the process you have to go through in order to assume legal guardianship of an individual can be complicated. A family law attorney can help you fill out all the right documentation and do what you need to do to become a legal guardian. This is important because the sooner you can assume guardianship of a relative, the sooner they can get out of whatever situation they’re in.

Domestic Abuse

Unfortunately, domestic abuse is a very real part of life for a lot of families. If you feel like your spouse is treating you poorly to the extent that it is abuse, a lawyer can help you get out of that situation safely and without legal repercussions. An attorney can help you figure out the best course of action to keep you and your children safe and get your family out of a dangerous situation. It’s important to work with a family attorney when it comes to domestic abuse cases because you can’t simply run off with your children and claim that your spouse is abusive.

Adoption

Adoption is one of the most common reasons people hire a family law attorney. Whether you’re having trouble conceiving a child naturally or you want to keep children out of the foster care system, adopting a child is a great thing to do. The problem is, adopting can be so complicated that a lot of people simply decide against it. A family law attorney can take you through all the necessary steps to adopt a child, whether you’re adopting a relative whose parents passed away or a child who’s spent years in the foster care system. They can walk you through all the paperwork, fees, and other requirements you need to meet in order to adopt.

Filing Documents

There are several family-related documents a person might need to file, including a power of attorney (POA) which gives a person the power to make decisions on another person’s behalf. A family law attorney can help you decide when you need to use these documents and take care of the filing process. An attorney can also provide advice on who might be the best person to offer power of attorney to, as well as what responsibilities that person should be tasked with.

Estate Planning & Wills

Sooner or later, all of our lives come to an end. One of the most important things you can do if you want to protect your family after you’re gone is make an estate plan and write out a last will and testament. Estate planning means figuring out what’s going to happen with everything after you pass away, from your property and possessions to your children and more.

A family law attorney can sit down with you to create the best estate plan and will for your needs. We can also help you figure out if you need life insurance and who you want to give power of attorney to in the event that you can’t make your own decisions. This planning helps prevent complicated legal matters that can surround the death of a loved one.

Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships

Two individuals who aren’t married may be eligible for certain marriage rights under civil unions or domestic partnerships. Unfortunately, some states don’t recognize these partnerships as legal. A family law attorney can walk you through the whole process to help you figure out if you qualify for a civil union or domestic partnership. Plus, we can help you avoid all the legal hurdles that come with proving you’re eligible and establishing a domestic partnership or civil union.

Get the Legal Help You Need Today

When you’re experiencing legal trouble, the best thing you can do is hire a qualified attorney to help you out. Attorneys know the law, so they can offer the best legal advice and simplify the legal processes that can make your life so difficult. Look at reviews, references, and experience to make sure you’re hiring a reputable family law attorney. Hiring a professional family law attorney is the best way to take the hassle out of things like divorce proceedings, writing a will, or adopting a child.