When legal issues involving family relationships arise, you need an attorney who has experience handling both sensitive and complex matters. A qualified family & divorce lawyer can help you with a variety of situations such as child custody, property division, and alimony. They can also advise you about domestic violence, estate planning, and prenuptial agreements.
Some of the most common cases handled by family & divorce lawyers involve domestic violence and child abuse. In these cases, an attorney can file a request for a restraining order against an abusive spouse or parent on your behalf. They can also assist you with the mediation process, which helps couples work out their differences outside of court.
Another important issue involves the division of marital or community property. The laws on this matter vary from state to state, but most use the concept of equitable distribution. This means that the court will decide how to divide assets based on several factors including: each spouse’s earning power; services as a homemaker; waste and dissipation; fault; and duration of the marriage.
Some family attorneys focus on certain areas of law such as adoption or elder care. For example, a lawyer specializing in elder law can help you create a trust that will protect your assets from creditors and ensure that you get the care you need when you are older. Attorneys who specialize in family law may also have extensive knowledge of child development and can advise you on a custody or visitation agreement that is in the best interests of your children. אמיר בר לב