When it comes to family law, it is a kind of civil lawsuit, but it usually involves problems between or affecting spouses, fathers, and children. Family courts are responsible for a broad range of situations involving domestic disputes. The following are the most frequent problems dealt by a family law attorney.
Divorce is the end of a marriage. To break a marriage, someone must file a lawsuit in family court and ask the judge to issue an order declaring the marriage to be legally terminated. Dissolution of marriages may be accomplished via the courts through the process of divorce or annulment. A separation may also be granted by the court, in which case the court makes decisions on property, maintenance, and parental rights, but the parties retain their legal status as husband and wife. On this website, you may learn more about divorce and annulment by visiting the Divorce, Annulment, and Separation pages.
Parentage and Child Custody are two important issues in family law. A man may be proclaimed the father of his kid by either of his parents filing a petition with the family court, which will then decide paternity for the child. This identifies the parent of the kid as a permanent figure. Parenting without a marriage is also possible, and unmarried parents may petition the court for legal custody, custodial rights, visiting arrangements, and child support. Custody, paternity, and child support matters are discussed in more detail in the Custody, Paternity, and Child Support Page of this website.
Prohibition of Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Victims of domestic abuse may petition the family court for a protective order, which would compel their abuser to stay away from them. The name has been changed. It is possible for a kid or an adult to legally alter their name via the filing of a name change lawsuit in family court.
Guardianship. In order to establish guardianship, it is necessary to determine who will be accountable for making clinical, personal, and financial choices for a child or an adult who is unable to care for themselves. More information may be found in the part of our website dedicated to Guardianship.
Parental Right and Adoptions are terminated under certain circumstances. An individual’s parental rights may be terminated by a family court when there are significant reasons why that parent must no longer have had a parental connection with that child (including such abandonment, neglect, abuse, or other forms of maltreatment). The family court may approve an adoption in which the legal parent-child connection is established. If someone else wishes to become a child’s legal parent, the court can allow the adoption. More information may be found in the part of this website devoted to adoptions and the termination of parental rights.