August 7, 2020

When you think of family law, what kind of cases do you think this covers? Divorce? Child custody?

Family Law covers a fairly wide net of legal issues revolving around familial disputes. While divorce and child custody cases are the most common in Richmond, this branch of the law also includes adoption, marriage contracts and guardianships.

Because family law is so diverse, you need to make sure you pick the right attorney for your case. In this blog post, we’ll explain why certain cases require specialized attorneys and the skills necessary to help you and your family.

1.   Divorce Attorney

Going through a divorce can be a painful and stressful time. That’s why it’s important to have a lawyer who specializes in the field.

A good divorce lawyer is someone who fights for the best interests of yourself and your family. They have a deep understanding of marriage contracts and how to best navigate the court proceedings. Divorce can include the issues of property, retirement, spousal support, as well as child custody and child support.

You should also feel comfortable with your divorce lawyer. They will be a close confidant during the case and you need to be able to tell them personal details about your life and marriage.

2.   Child Custody Attorney

Similar to a divorce lawyer, a child custody attorney fights for what’s best for your child and the family. They help develop a parenting plan that is in the child’s best interest and works to resolve any disputes between the parents. Custody lawyers deal with issues of where the child primarily lives, visitation issues, as well as child support.

Usually, your divorce lawyer will also cover your child custody case. Because of this, it’s even more important to choose a lawyer that you are comfortable with. They need to be able to speak with and understand your children while being respectful towards them.

3.   Marriage and Civil Union Attorney

Marriage is well known for its beautiful outfits and romantic displays. What is less well known are the legal contracts tied to the ceremony.

When you are married, you are creating a contract between yourself, your spouse and the state. This contract determines your joint ownership of both your property and your debts. Marriage also offers you federal protections. An attorney can work with you on a pre-marital agreement, also known as a pre-nuptial agreement.  The attorney can also work with you after the marriage starts with a post-marital agreement.  These two agreements involve how separate and joint property will be handled in the event of a divorce, as well as other financial issues like spousal support.

A civil union, on the other hand, is a legal relationship that does not offer federal protections and isn’t recognized by every state including Virginia.

This is where a marriage attorney comes in handy.

An attorney can help you and your spouse reach an agreement on these contracts. You both can make sure you understand your division of property before the marriage, during the marriage, and, in the unfortunate event of a divorce, after the marriage.

4.   Domestic and Child Abuse Attorney

Domestic and child abuse is not to be taken lightly, which is why you need a lawyer who knows how to navigate these sensitive cases. While these issues can be a part of divorce or custody cases, abuse is an entirely separate issue that can be decided and defended in court.

Whether you’re trying to escape an abusive situation or being falsely accused of abuse, you need a qualified attorney on your side. An attorney can help you file a restraining order known as an Order of Protection to help ensure you or your child’s safety.

5.   Adoption and Guardianship Attorney

If you’re trying to adopt or put a child up for adoption, there are some legal barriers you have to understand. These include legal documentation and finding the right adoption agency.

These proceedings can become more complex when dealing with guardianship. For instance, guardianship cases become more difficult to navigate if you’re a guardian for someone with developmental issues. If the person is an adult or under another person’s guardianship, there are additional steps to take.

In both cases, it’s important to have an attorney with years of experience on your side to help you navigate through the legal proceedings. From signing the proper documents to understanding how to argue in court, a lawyer is helpful every step of this process.

Find Your Family Attorneys at Cravens & Noll

It’s important to find a family law lawyer that meets your specific needs, but those needs can go beyond the court. Your lawyer should be easy to talk to and one who can explain the legal side of cases to you. You should feel comfortable speaking to them about sensitive issues, especially in cases of divorce or abuse.

You need a lawyer who is reliable and responsible, someone who will be there to answer all your questions and help you when needed.

Cravens & Noll attorneys have decades of experience in Virginia family law and always put their client’s interests first. If you’re in need of a family attorney in Richmond and surrounding areas, schedule a consultation with us.

4 Locations    |    804-330-9220    |    540-246-0684

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