Things You Didn't Realise a Family Lawyer Could Help With

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No one really thinks about getting a lawyer until something bad happens. Like, a divorce or crime. However, there are so many more things an attorney can help you with. Especially those who specialise in family law. As some of you may know, I’ve recently made the decision to stop with law school for the time being. However, it made me think about all the times understanding the legal world could come in handy. Here are some things you didn’t realise a family lawyer could help with.

Adoption

Ever considered adopting a child? Chances are you’re going to need an attorney. The same applies if you’re putting your own child up for adoption. Most family lawyers will be able to help you get all of the paperwork in place. So, the whole adoption process runs a lot smoother. They can also stand up for you in court if someone is trying to adopt your child. This tends to happen if there’s the worry you’re not able to look after your kids for whatever reason. Hopefully, you’ll never have to go through that! Anything to do with the world of adoption can be handled by a good family attorney.

Wills and Estate Planning

Some family lawyers also broaden their services to include things like wills, trusts and estate planning. Rachel Isaacs, from a law practice in New Jersey, is a prime example of this type of attorney. If you want to plan your estate or put a will together, then you’re going to need a lawyer. Otherwise, those documents may not be legal. It’s a good idea to plan ahead for this kind of thing, just in case the worst is to happen. Especially when you have children! You may find that a family lawyer will be able to help you settle disputes, should there be any concerns over someone else’s will.

Alimony and Child Support

If you and your partner have split up, then you’ll want a family lawyer who can deal with the divorce side of things. However, it’s not just this you need to think about. Some couples aren’t married when they have children, and then their relationship breaks down. It’s important that the person with custody of that child receives some kind of alimony or child support payments. Unfortunately, that can be a lot easier said than done. If your ex-partner isn’t paying what they’re supposed to, then an attorney may be able to help. They can even try to claim back anything you’re owed from before going to court.

Post-Decree Modifications and Enforcement

If you’ve already been through a judicial process, then chances are you have a plan in place. This might be something like custody after a divorce. Or one of the things I’ve mentioned above. Most of the time, those involved will happily stick to the rules that the Court has set out. However, sometimes there can be issues. Someone may wish to modify the terms or may not want to carry them out at all. When this happens, you need what is called a post-decree modification or enforcement. A family lawyer can help make sure this is all in place!

So, it’s not just a divorce case you may need a family attorney for. They can come in useful for a whole range of different reasons. The next time you’re unsure, just ask a lawyer for advice. They will be able to let you know if it’s within their remit.