Family law attorneys work on a wide variety of legal matters that involve family members. They help clients resolve issues related to divorce, child custody and support, adoption, domestic violence, and more.
If you are interested in this career path, start by evaluating law schools with family law programs. Then look for faculty and alumni who can be mentors to you.
Child Custody and Parenting Time
Custody and parenting time are terms often used to describe how parents share physical custody of children. It is a very important issue that should be explored by separating couples before filing for a divorce, and it can have a huge impact on their lives.
Family law attorneys can assist with determining the best possible schedule for parents to spend quality time together as a family. The best time for parenting can be determined based on each parent’s work and school schedule, but it is also important to consider the needs of the children as well.
Custody is a complex area of law that can be difficult for many people to understand. As such, it is vital to retain an experienced family law lawyer who can guide you through the process.
Divorce
Divorce is the termination of a marital relationship and it involves a lot of legal issues. A family law attorney can help clients navigate all aspects of a divorce, from dividing property to determining child custody and support.
A family law lawyer focuses on family matters, so it’s important to find one you trust. Moreover, it’s crucial to have someone who understands your financial situation and can explain things in an easy-to-understand way.
Divorce is often an emotional and complex process, requiring delicate people skills and legal knowledge. A good divorce lawyer will make sure you get the best possible result for your specific situation.
Adoption
Adoption is the process of creating a new legal parent-child relationship. This can be a long and complicated procedure that requires a great deal of work and legal documentation, making it a good idea to have a Family law lawyer on your side throughout the adoption process.
Adoptive parents can include individuals, married couples, and domestic partnerships. A Family law lawyer who has experience in adoption can help you through the legal processes involved, from selecting an agency and filing paperwork to obtaining a court approval.
In addition, adoption agencies are required to check with the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Registry and run a criminal history check for the prospective adoptive parents or anyone over 18 who is residing in their home. This ensures that the child will be placed in a safe environment.
Alimony
Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, is an important financial tool that divorcing couples use to help maintain a reasonable standard of living and limit any adverse economic consequences for the lower-earning spouse.
A Family law lawyer in New York can help you understand your rights when it comes to alimony and how it can impact the terms of your divorce settlement.
Courts have a wide range of discretion when it comes to awarding spousal support. They consider factors like age, earning capacity, duration of the marriage and whether one spouse gave up a career to raise children.
Property Division
Property Division in a divorce is a complicated matter that requires the attention of a skilled family law attorney. Whether it is the marital home or business, retirement accounts, pensions or a high net worth case, it can be difficult to determine what assets and liabilities should be awarded to each spouse in an equitable manner.
Depending on the state, courts will use one of two different systems to divide a couple’s assets. The more common system is known as equitable distribution.