Family Attorney
A family attorney is one who handles a number of legal matters, all relating to the family unit in some way, shape or form. Family attorneys can handle family matters inside or outside of a court room. Besides handling issues like divorce and child custody, they may draft legal documents for their clients, set up trusts and make wills.
• Out of all the different matters that a family attorney will handle, negotiating through a divorce is one of the most common. If a couple has not been married for along time, own no joint property and have no children, then the divorce should be a simple one for a family attorney to take care of. However, many divorce cases involve brutal arguments between couples. Unless the couple has considerable assets, it is likely that the family attorney will be able to handle the matter outside of a court room. A family attorney has a couple reach an agreement about whom will get what in term of community property. If no agreement can be reached, then it is likely that the family attorneys for each party will have to go to court to settle the matter.
• Many times, a divorce involves working out a child custody arrangement between the parents. Family attorneys know that it is most likely that the mother will be granted primary custody of the children, unless there are issues relating to drugs or mental problems. Fathers are usually given visitation rights for the weekends and holidays. A family attorney for each parent will try to reach a mutually acceptable agreement between the couple for an appropriate child custody arrangement. However, not all the responsibilities of a family attorney related to children are sad ones. Family attorneys also help complete adoption proceedings for individuals or couples who are adopting children.
• A typical day for a family attorney will involve a variety of responsibilities including making court appearances, drafting documents and speaking with clients. Filing affidavits, motions and citations will also be part of the daily routine of the family attorney. At times, a family attorney will have to research a client’s case as well.
While being a family attorney involves negotiating a number of tough battles, the results can be extremely gratifying. Hiring a family attorney may be necessary for anyone facing a family issue such as a custody battle or a divorce. Other instances in which one may need a family attorney is for adoption proceedings, common-law marriages, same-sex civil unions, making wills and setting up trust funds.
