What Sorts of Things Fall Under Family Law

Family law is one of the most critical areas of law. There are many kinds of legal cases that fall under the heading of family law. Knowing which kinds of cases are part of family law can help you to know what kind of lawyer to get for specific kinds of cases.

Selecting the right family lawyer matters. You will get a better outcome for your case if you take the time to find an experienced lawyer who is an expert in family law. Our team has years of experience in these kinds of cases, and we work hard to ensure a favorable outcome for each and every case.

What Kinds of Cases Are Considered to be Family Law?

You might be surprised to find out which kinds of cases fall under the heading of family law. Most people think that the only cases that are considered to be family law are those that involve child custody and divorce. However, there are lots of other cases that are also handled by family law experts.

1.      Adoption

Adoption cases are part of family law, and it is often critical that you have a lawyer to handle this process on your behalf. There are many steps that are part of the adoption process and missing even one can lead to significant delays in the adoption process.

Adoption cases also come in many shapes and sizes. The adoption category includes foster care, independent adoptions, intercountry, and even adult cases.  Adoption is often critical for families and for the well-being of the children or adults who need this added legal protection. Having a skilled lawyer on your side can ensure that your adoption is a straightforward process.

2.      Domestic Violence

Domestic violence cases are part of family law as well. If you have been harmed or threatened in specific ways by someone that you live with, a family member, or a person that you are dating, you might be able to pursue legal action for domestic violence. Domestic violence cases have to follow a specific series of steps, or the case might be dismissed.

Due to the complexity of domestic violence cases and their link with the safety of the people who are at risk, having a legal expert on your side can be critical.

3.      Paternity

Paternity cases establish who the father of a child is. Adult children can also file for this kind of legal case to find out who their legal parent is. Paternity cases might or might not include a DNA test. If they do not include a DNA test, both parties will need to agree via signature and a legal statement about the paternity of the child in question.

4.      Prenuptial Agreements

Prenuptial agreements help to protect assets that people bring into a marriage with them. This kind of document can also cover other financial affairs like investments. Prenuptial agreements also often cover the custody of children from previous relationships. Prenuptials are not a part of every marriage, but they are critical in cases where one or both spouses have investments and other financial considerations to protect.

Prenuptials need to be written correctly to hold up in court, which is why having an experienced family lawyer working on your prenuptial agreement is a must.

5.      Estate Planning

Have you worried about what will happen to your family if you should pass away? Would they be able to support themselves without your income? Would other people in your family be able to take control of your business, possessions, or property?

These questions can be answered by estate planning, which is a part of family law. Being sure that you can leave your family with security if you should pass away is very important. This is not just a consideration for those with lots of assets or a successful business. Everyone should consider estate planning with a legal expert to ensure that loved ones who survive them will be protected from financial woes and other worries.

6.      Divorce

Most people know that divorce is part of family law. Divorces are complex and require that lots of different documents and considerations are taken care of before the divorce is final. While you can handle most of the divorce proceedings on your own, it is not a good idea to do so. You might be giving up assets, financial security, and other items that you are entitled to simply because you don’t know which documents and processes need to be completed.

7.      Child Custody

In every state, child custody cannot be determined without a ruling from a judge. This means that you will need to have all of your requests and demands in order before your court date. Having a legal team on your side will ensure that you get the proper parenting plan that is ideal for you and your children. There is a standard child support template that is used to begin the negotiation process, but having a legal expert arguing your side will make sure that you don’t have to agree to a child custody agreement that is not in your best interest.

Family Law Includes Many Different Processes

Family law is a huge area of the legal profession. There are so many kinds of cases that fall under family law that you might struggle to find a case type that concerns your daily life that isn’t under the family law umbrella. Family law covers most of the common disputes that come up between friends, family, and acquaintances.

Whether you need help with a divorce or you are looking to write a prenuptial, you will want to secure a skilled legal team to work hard on your case for you. We have the years of experience that you have been looking for when it comes to legal support for family law concerns. We are eager to help you with your family law case, and we will work hard to make sure that you secure a favorable outcome for your case.