Families are not excluded from having conflicts and differences. This is the reason why Family Law is created under the constitution to protect the family, the members and help avoid future difficulties among members. While a family tries hard to resolve issues among members, there are situations that are overwhelming and need to be resolved as smoothly and calmly with a legal expert.
When couples are separating
The most common case family lawyers handle is divorce. When you and your spouse are decided to live separately, it’s time to consult a lawyer with expertise on divorce. Since divorce have technicalities and procedures to follow, separation lawyers are the best experts to advice you on filing the divorce and if you should be the one to file. The law provides grounds for divorce petitions; the financial benefits for each party, custody if you have children, visitation, community property disposition as well as separate property protection, and child/spousal support. These matters are best taken care by your lawyer who is schooled and trained to help you have better understanding of benefits as well as the burdens of divorce procedures.
When there’s domestic violence, harassment within the family
Family law provides protection for all members of family against all forms of violence and harassments. Consultation with your lawyer will help you determine if there’s violence within the family and if the court considers it as violence. He can help you file for restraining orders either temporary or permanent for any violent activity. He can help you file for AVOS or Apprehended Violence orders if you fear of violence and advice you the category where your case falls such as Domestic Violence Order or DVO that protect you if you’re living in a domestic relationship with alleged perpetrator or PVO or personal violence order for protection for other victim categories. Your lawyer will inform you on different court orders per descriptions to ensure you get protection against any forms of violence.
Before getting married
If you and your partner are talking about pre-nuptial agreement, it’s best to talk to a lawyer with expertise on Family Law. He can inform both of you on BFA or binding financial agreement better known as pre-nuptial agreement. He’ll advice you when is the best time to have BFA either before, during marriage or upon marriage breakdown. Your lawyer will serve both your best interest and ensure you are similarly protected.
There are times when no matter how calmly we take things into our hands, we need someone to help us get through a difficult family situation, and lawyers can be very useful to help us resolve family conflicts, differences and difficulties with legal certainty.