Hello World! Welcome Friends! Family law, as the name implies, is an area of legal practice focused on addressing needs related to familial relationships. Some family law cases also have aspects of criminal, constitutional, tax, or real estate law. Most, however, focus on routine issues like divorce, child custody, prenuptial agreements, adoption, and estate matters.
If you find yourself in need of family law services, finding the right fit is an important part of the process. The team at Levoritz Law Firm is always standing by to help and is more than happy to sit down with you and discuss the specifics of your family law needs. The following information is provided in the hopes of clarifying what a Chicago family lawyer does and when you may need these services.
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Divorce
This is easily the most common area of focus for family law practitioners. The dissolution of a marriage is always unique, just like the relationship itself. Some couples are able to work collaboratively to divide assets and determine how to share parenting rights and responsibilities.
In these cases, the role of the family law attorney is to guide the process and ensure that all of the paperwork is handled properly. Clients are advised on their rights but empowered to make decisions that are in line with their values and goals.
Unfortunately, many divorce cases are not collaborative in nature. When there are issues contested between parties, having a trusted family law attorney to turn to is imperative. Your lawyer can advise you on how property division is usually handled, and let you know when demands are outside of those bounds.
Fighting over unreasonable asset division is not helpful to either party. If the matter goes before a court, assets will be divided in a fair and equitable manner unless there are clear reasons why one party should receive a greater share than the other. This means that couples are best served when they are able to work out a division plan on their own, without the intervention of the court.
In some cases, one spouse will attempt to hide or shield assets from the other in an effort to avoid division during a divorce. This requires a more in-depth examination of the family’s financial standing, and at times requires the services of a forensic accountant.
Child Custody
Deciding how to share parenting responsibilities and obligations is another area that is primed for potential conflict. Family law attorneys are fully versed in the rules and regulations of their state when it comes to matters of child custody and support, and you can click here for an example of a firm that has a range of experienced family lawyers for any situation.
The best way for parents to move forward with child custody issues is to understand what kind of arrangements are considered acceptable to the state’s courts. Some parents are able to structure very creative custody arrangements on their own. However, when there are areas of contention surrounding custody it’s important to learn what kind of arrangements are typically crafted by the courts.
That allows parents to have a guide as they negotiate their own agreement. Demands that fall outside of the norms are often dismissed by family courts. Parents can save a lot of time and expense by structuring their agreement in a fair and balanced manner, without calling upon the courts for help.
Child support is often an easier topic to navigate, as the state has clear guidelines when it comes to parental support obligations. Family law attorneys work to evaluate the income and assets of each parent to determine how child custody should be structured. While there are areas where adjustments can be made, the basic rules of child custody center on which party will provide the most hands-on parenting time and effort.
Family law attorneys are also called upon to assist when the provisions of an existing child custody or child support agreement are not being followed. These cases cannot always be resolved outside of court, so the attorney’s role is to secure the best possible outcome for the client, as well as the child or children involved.
Adoption
Welcoming a child into your family is an exciting time, and many adoptions move forward relatively smoothly. Your family law attorney works to ensure all paperwork and state adoption requirements are handled properly.
In cases where an adoption is contested or when the agreed-upon terms are challenged, a family law attorney is there to work on behalf of the client to resolve those issues. Depending on the client’s goals, the attorney works to make sure the adoption goes through as planned, or sometimes works on behalf of the birth parent to end the adoption proceeding.
Abuse and Neglect
These are some of the most difficult family law cases to navigate. In some cases, family members suspect that a child is not being properly cared for, or that the living situation is not healthy or safe. Claiming child abuse or neglect can initiate a custody case and can become very complicated and emotionally charged.
At the same time, parents are sometimes wrongfully accused of abuse and neglect. These cases require a skilled hand and thorough evidence gathering to ensure that children are not removed from a loving home, which is incredibly stressful for parents and children.
Emotional and Legal Support
Family law cases can be complex and difficult. Matters are not always resolved promptly or in a collaborative manner. Researchers assert that divorce and other family law matters are among the most stressful experiences an individual can have.
Working with a skilled legal team can help reduce the anxieties and uncertainties of family law cases. Having a trusted advisor to turn to with questions or concerns makes the entire process easier to weather.
Accordingly, you can learn more about how a family law expert can help you to navigate any difficult legal situations by taking a look at some of the resources on the Simon Law Group website.
Family law attorneys work to ensure clients have access to all the tools and services they need while addressing their legal needs. For some, working with a counselor on a short-term basis can be incredibly helpful, and family lawyers are connected with a network of mental health professionals in their area of practice. It should also be noted that while your attorney is the right resource for legal questions, a counselor or therapist is far better equipped (and less costly) to help you manage stress and emotional disruptions as you move through the process.
Look After Your Family Law Interests
While some family law needs develop over time, others can arise unexpectedly, leaving you feeling ill-prepared to respond. The team at Levoritz Law Firm is always available to sit down with you to discuss your circumstances and how to meet your needs. There is never any pressure to sign on for services, and always an open dialogue intended to educate and inform clients on how to look after their interests.
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Toodles,
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It’s important that we have a family attorney so there’s someone whom we can trust with law concerns.