Family law is a complex series of issues that can leave many people intimidated. That is when contracting a solicitor who can guide a family in need is so beneficial. Weathering the storm of divorce, separation, child custody, conveyance issues, wills, and trusts are what a family law solicitor is hired to facilitate and help an individual or family through it all. Should an individual try and handle complex issues alone? Absolutely not. Always seek the advice of a solicitor pertaining to any and all legal issues. As the various laws are rescinded and updated one can get lost in the legal jargon. It is constantly changing and such issues as immigration, adoption and even issues pertaining to domestic terrorism are forcing the changes in family law which are covered in our Family Law Update 2018.
Who needs a solicitor?
Immigrates who are relocating their families from one country to another. An individual who may be in need of a prenuptial agreement and even the issue of immovable property. Complicated issues that can arise for a family can drain a family financially and emotionally. A legal agent and his or her team have the delicate task of expediting matters so that a sense of normalcy can be restored to an individual or family. The matter of terrorism and domestic terrorism has become a sensitive issue that can divide a family’s loyalty. A divorce between different cultures of people with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds can be a legal challenge. Dealing with custody matters and financial dealings is part of what the legal agents may have to deal with. Financial issues and delegating effectively with an individual’s wish pertaining to their estate calls for the expertise and the experience of a qualified legal agent.
Another important aspect of the work of the family solicitor’s is his ability to hire the best investigative team. Background checks have become vital information when hiring qualified help when it comes to childcare. It is very important to know who is dealing with children. Economic issues are forcing changes for families especially when it comes to inheritance issues, wills, and trusts. Collaborative lawyers play an important part in families dealing with fair compensation and distribution of property and money. This kind of mediation is an alternative to dealing with a court proceeding. Emancipation is another issue that the solicitors deal with. Assisting a young person transitioning to adulthood is what family law solicitors can provide. Family law agents play an important part in family handling family issues.
Different Areas of Family Law
If you think about the term “family law”, your mind may automatically turn to divorce. Although this is one of the most obvious reasons why you would turn to a solicitor’s specializing in this field, this is not the only reason. You do not have to end your marriage to consult one of these highly qualified representatives.
- Adoption
Unless you plan to adopt from the state’s child welfare services, chances are you will need to hire an attorney. There are several steps one must take in an adoption process, and someone who is trained in this area can help you navigate the system. It still takes time for the process to be finalized. However, this individual will ensure all the paperwork is completed and filed appropriately so that you can add to your family.
If you are a stepparent who wishes to adopt your stepchild, the steps differ from those for bringing a child into your home. It is still in your best interest to rely on the advice of an attorney in order to ensure you are now the legal parent of that child.
- Name Change
Family law also extends to name changes. While the courthouse office that issues marriage licenses can easily guide you through the process of changing your last name after marriage, there is not a lot of information on how to change it any other time. There are many reasons you may want to change your name legally. Remember, you can call yourself whatever you want, but the government won’t recognize it unless you go through the paperwork to make it so.
- Restraining Orders
Sometimes you may be in a situation where you need legal protection from a former lover or family member. You can do this through protection or restraining order. It is easy to get a temporary order by going to the courthouse. However, making it permanent is not as easy. The judge will want to hear all sides of the case and then may only extend the protection from six months to a year. Having an attorney who is trained in this area of the law can help you get adequate legal protection from your abuser.
- Pre-marital Agreements
Pre-marital agreements are not just for the rich in order to protect their assets. On the contrary, these can be drawn up and entered into by anyone who has stipulations on the marriage. More often than not, the main goal is to keep one spouse from taking too much money from the other spouse in the event of a divorce. However, other stipulations such as reasons for ending the marriage and how the property is divided based on a fault can be included. Someone who is trained in family law will be able to ensure the entire document is legally binding.
- Custody Arrangements
Of course, the most common area of domestic law is custody arrangements within divorce settlements. Divorce is hard on everyone, but it is especially difficult on the kids who are used to having both parents under one roof. An attorney can help you and your former spouse sort out what is best not just for yourselves, but for any children involved. This includes who is going to have primary custody, what visitation looks like, and how child support is handled. They will also help negotiate who contributes to what aspects of the child’s health, dental, and vision insurance or care.
Family law Update – Winter 2018
This family law course examines the state’s regulation of family relationships, including obligations in an intact family, the law of marriage and marriage divorce law, the division of property and spousal families in divorce, alternative custody standards, and the enforcement of support payments for Children, non-traditional families, adoptions, and various issues of legal descent, including the pedigree of children who were given birth through assisted reproduction.
Learning outcome of a family law course
By participating in the course and conducting structured and self-regulated learning activities, students will be able to acquire and apply knowledge and skills to do so:
- Critical analysis, reflection, and synthesis of complex material laws and customer instructions relating to a child-related dispute to a) form and discuss the most appropriate dispute settlement procedures; and (b) establish and discuss the measures necessary to comply with the prescribed preparatory procedures.
- Interpretation and transfer of knowledge to professionals and non-specialists in order to: a) Document the outcome of a resolution process relating to a property related to property in accordance with the law and good practice; b) the impact of the proposed settlement on revenue; c) inform the customer of all relevant options available in a manner that a reasonable customer could understand; and d) constructive feedback for student colleagues.
- Demonstrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to achieve the “relevant competency standards for entry-level lawyers” for the exercise of family law, as determined by the Legal Counsel.
Family law isn’t just about divorce. Instead, it covers a wide array of areas that include adding children into your family and protecting yourself and your loved ones.