Whenever you’re in a situation that falls under the umbrella of family law, you may wonder to yourself when it’s necessary to hire a family law attorney for their expertise and guidance. While each situation is different, every person and every instance can benefit from the professional help an experienced lawyer can provide. Let’s review a few of the important instances that could warrant a family law attorney.
The Different Life Events that Warrant a Family Law Attorney
While most people think of attorneys as professionals that only need to step in when the situation gets serious, you can also meet with one to discuss a wide variety of life changes. Being proactive can yield better results than waiting to retain an attorney when it becomes a necessity. Let’s take a look at some of the most common events that could trigger the need to meet with a family law attorney.
You’re Considering Marriage
If you’re ready to pop the question in your relationship or you’re already engaged and in the middle of planning your wedding, now is the time to find a family law attorney, if you don’t already have one. Before tying the knot, the right lawyer or attorney can help you by going through the legal process of getting married, what that change will look like on both the large and small scale, and walk you through establishing a prenuptial agreement. Alternatively, a family law attorney can help you prepare a will or trust to make sure your family is provided for if something should happen to you or your spouse. Finding a family attorney now can help you in the future as your family grows.
You Want to Start a Family
If looking to start a family, now is the perfect time to start looking for a family lawyer. Having children comes with a lot of legal positive consequences and working with someone who specializes in family law will help you understand what needs to be prepared to ensure that you and your child are covered for the future and whatever it may bring. This includes things like godparent and POA selections, estate planning, and more.
You’re Looking Into Adoption
If you’ve decided to pursue adoption to start your family, you definitely need a qualified and capable family law attorney on your side, especially if you’re coming from an LGBTQIA+ relationship. The adoption procedure requires you to jump through many hoops, fill out tons of paperwork, and adhere to a variety of legal processes. When you have the right attorney to help you navigate adoption, you’ll have support and expertise you need to start your family your way.
You’re Facing Domestic Violence At Home
Domestic violence is a serious matter that can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of your age, race, gender, or social/economic status. When you’re in a situation where you feel unsafe at home, whether that’s around your partner, parent, or other household member, you deserve an experienced family law attorney to help you ensure you are well-protected, including your interests and well-being. If you’re in a situation where you’re worried for your children’s safety in addition to your own, time is of the essence. The sooner you act and find the attorney that will pursue prompt legal action, the sooner you and your children will feel safe and secure again.
You’re Pursuing Divorce
Divorce is a difficult process in even the easiest of scenarios. An experienced family law attorney can help you understand the divorce process, which kind of divorce is right for you to pursue, and how to ensure your best interests are properly represented. A competent lawyer will stand up for you and help you create an outcome that will best allow you to start your new life on the right foot.
Unfortunately, the average person does not know or understand their rights in a divorce. Divorces can be full of landmines to avoid without proper guidance, particularly where there are significant assets or liabilities. Additionally, divorces involving custody can be extremely complicated and can result in serious negative consequences if not navigated properly. If you’re unrepresented in a divorce but your spouse has an attorney, you will be at an inherent disadvantage.
Having an experienced divorce attorney by your side is not only a wise decision but may be an imperative decision. Our attorneys will help you see to it that you receive the best possible outcome in the circumstances and will help you understand the process along the way.
You Need Help with Child Custody or Child Support Issues
Whether you’ve recently separated or you’ve been apart from your co-parent for a while, child custody problems are an important issue that deserves expert attention from a family lawyer. Rather than dealing with the headache of trying to negotiate with your co-parent or try to resolve a bad situation yourself, you can rely on your family law attorney to go through the proper legal channels to either negotiate a plan that is fair to you or bring a legal action against your co-parent if necessary. It is not uncommon for parents to find themselves on the wrong end of a custody conflict. Having an attorney to help you through can be one of the best decisions you can make.
Whenever you’re experiencing a major life event, know that you shouldn’t be forced to go through it alone. Whether your family is growing or separating, reach out to the Law Office of Dorene A. Kuffer to chat with one of our family law attorneys today. Our team of understanding, knowledgeable attorneys will be there to help you through every step of your legal predicament, no matter how simple or complex it may be. Contact us today.