When Do I Hire a Family Lawyer?

When you hear the words family law, you can't help but think of siblings fighting over an inheritance, couples fighting over children and chattel, and prudent tycoons protecting their wallets with prenuptial agreements.

Most people will need a family lawyer at some time in their life. Although families are supposed to support each other, they often need an attorney to make sure they understand one another. There are a few situations for which you should always have a family lawyer.

Divorce

Marriage is a $60 billion a year industry in the United States. Dress designers, venue owners, and wedding planners have a vested interest in people's belief that love lasts forever. Family attorneys are there to assist people when problems arise and the marriage breaks up. 

Even if your divorce is fairly amicable, you still need a family attorney to help you fill out the paperwork. They can help you make a child custody arrangement and help you divide your property equally.

If the divorce is contested, a family attorney can negotiate with your spouse's attorney on your behalf. They can represent you in court if you are unable to work out a deal. 

Paternity

If you are a single mother and the father of your child will not admit to his role in the situation, you are not alone. There are around 300,000 paternity tests performed in the U.S. each year. 

A family attorney can help you obtain a paternity test and hearing. If you are able to establish the identity of your child's father, they will be able to help you obtain child support payments.

Alimony

If you were a homemaker during your marriage, or if you made significantly less money than your spouse, you may be entitled to alimony. An attorney can help you to obtain the money you will need to start your new life.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an epidemic in the world. It can be very difficult to escape an abusive partner and, if you are abused, you may not feel comfortable going to the police. A family attorney can help you to get a restraining order. They can also represent you in a lawsuit against your abuser. 

If your child is an abuse victim, a lawyer can assist you in getting sole custody. They can help you to ensure that the child's visits with your ex-partner are supervised. 

Making a Will

One way to avoid having your relatives fight over your money after you are gone is to make a will. An attorney can help you document where you want each of your possessions and your money to go. They can also help you make any changes you would like to as the years go by.

A lawyer can help you create trusts if you want to see your loved ones enjoy your money before you are not around anymore. 

Hiring an attorney can help you to avoid conflict as much as it can help you to resolve disagreements. Family law is more complicated than you might think. The assistance of a trained professional can help you and your family document what you need from one another. A family that knows what to expect will be happy and secure.