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Family lawyers provide sensitive legal assistance on a range of sensitive legal issues. This may include divorce proceedings, child custody disputes and financial support payments (alimony).

Lawyers working in this area must possess excellent interpersonal, mediation and trial advocacy skills as well as being adept at drafting important legal documents such as property agreements or court petitions.

Divorce

Family law attorneys specialize in handling issues associated with divorce proceedings and domestic relations matters, such as property division, alimony payments and child custody arrangements. Furthermore, family lawyers can draft documents like prenuptial agreements and adoption petitions; as well as assist with enforcement or modification of court orders in cases involving domestic violence.

California law mandates certain divorce forms when couples decide to end or separate. Family law lawyers can assist spouses in filling out these documents and filing them with their county clerk, while also offering help regarding domestic violence such as getting an order of protection against one spouse or relative.

Some family lawyers offer mediation services as part of their divorce practice. Mediation entails working together with an impartial third party to reach a solution on all issues in their divorce. While mediation may be effective in certain situations, its application will depend on factors like level of conflict between spouses, complexity of finances and presence or absence of children involved.

Rather, if a divorce cannot be resolved out of court, it must be heard before the state supreme court. Specialized judges hear these cases and make decisions regarding division of assets, child custody/visitation agreements, alimony payments and other issues. A family law attorney can represent their clients at such hearings so the judge understands all aspects of their case.

Bryant & Bleier, LLP provides legal solutions for families in New York and its surrounding communities. Their attorneys specialize in all forms of divorce proceedings including contested and uncontested divorces as well as high net worth divorces; paternity cases; adoption proceedings; relocation cases and child support/alimony arrangements. Furthermore, Bryant & Bleier provides mediation services as well as prenuptial/postnuptial agreements.

Gutfriend Family Law of New York provides its services throughout the five boroughs, Long Island and Hudson Valley areas. The practice handles cases related to divorce, child custody and visitation rights, property division, spousal support payments and domestic violence protective orders.

Child custody and visitation

Courts typically evaluate child custody cases based on what’s best for the children involved, awarding sole legal custody to one parent or shared physical and legal custody between both. Custody arrangements can also include supervised visitation arrangements. While parents are encouraged to come up with their own arrangement if possible, judges can make the call.

The court will consider each parent’s lifestyle, stability, and ability to care for their child when making a determination based on what is in the best interests of that individual child. They may take into consideration their wishes should they be old enough. But ultimately it will be up to a judge who makes that final determination based on what he or she believes to be in the child’s best interest.

Family law attorneys can be invaluable resources when it comes to issues surrounding child custody. They will ensure the safety of all parties involved if there are allegations of domestic violence, as well as assist with other vital tasks like determining child support payments and planning visitation schedules.

Parental disputes over custody and visitation agreements can become heated quickly. A lawyer can help the parties come to an agreement out-of-court or file a lawsuit to settle their differences in court.

At trial, family law attorneys provide clients with evidence and testimony to help secure a favorable result in their cases. This may include reviewing financial records, reviewing expert witness testimony, presenting pertinent evidence or any other pertinent details in support of their arguments; additionally they can assist in drafting court documents or paperwork necessary for proceedings.

Gutfriend Family Law in New York City offers legal solutions tailored to family matters. Ava Gutfriend has been practicing family law since 1990, representing clients in child custody and visitation cases. She has received high praise from clients, legal professionals, industry organizations, clients as well as being named “Super Lawyer” with Martindale-Hubbell earning its highest AV rating award. Gutfriend’s commitment is helping families through difficult times by using her knowledge of family law to develop customized solutions tailored specifically for each case presented to her.

Restraining and protective orders

Restraining orders (or protective orders) are civil remedies designed to stop abuse and violence from occurring in relationships. While their specific details vary between states, usually laws specify who can file, what protections can be awarded by courts and how enforcement occurs. Violators of such an order could face criminal and/or civil penalties.

Family law attorneys can draft and submit an order of protection petition for you, filing it with your local court. This document details past abuse and harm you have endured as well as requests specific actions the judge can take to safeguard your safety. Your attorney can help create an effective petition that increases its likelihood of approval.

Temporary orders of protection can be issued on the same day you file your petition and will remain in force until a full hearing or you convince a judge to extend it. Such an order can include instructions to stay away from you, your home, work and other places frequented as well as refrain from harassing, threatening and abusing. Depending on state laws, temporary orders of protection may also require that any weapons held be surrendered immediately.

Step two of serving your order on respondents involves serving them with copies. You may do this yourself or work with an attorney and police to do it on their behalf. In some instances, an officer may already have arrested the individual involved and can serve them with their petition during court appearances or at their arraignments for criminal cases or family court hearings.

Final orders of protection are typically granted following conviction in either criminal or family court, and can last up to five years. Under its conditions, a judge can order that person restrained from you, your home and job as well as relinquish any weapons they possess, among other requirements.

Estate planning

Many family lawyers provide estate planning services as an extension of their work, as it requires knowledge of a family’s financial status, asset ownership (i.e. joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, tenancy in common, or tenancy by the entirety), family dynamics and family structure. Estate planning typically entails creating documents to outline how property should be distributed upon death such as wills, trusts, power of attorney agreements or advance directives.

Estate planning is an indispensable tool for families. In addition to determining who will inherit assets, estate plans help reduce legal disputes, facilitate healthcare decision-making processes and reduce probate proceedings – not to mention giving individuals greater control of their own affairs rather than leaving it up to courts to decide.

With more couples opting to marry later in life or remarry following previous relationships, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements have become an increasing necessity. These complicated documents involve many of the same issues a family law attorney would manage during a divorce case such as equitable distribution and spousal support issues.

Families with young children may seek legal guidance in creating guardianship or custody agreements and adoption processes. A family law attorney may charge either a flat fee, hourly rate or percentage of any settlements or financial payments made to clients depending on your location and billing protocols of their firm.

Family law is an incredibly specialized and complex area, so selecting an experienced family law attorney is crucial. At Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, our attorneys have received exceptional ratings from clients, publications and other family law professionals for their knowledge, focus and expertise. Multiple attorneys from this firm have earned New York Super Lawyer status while others earned Martindale-Hubbell’s highest AV Preeminent rating (indicating excellence). Contact our office to set up a consultation meeting today.