Do Family Lawyers Near Me Take Payments?

September 16, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Attorney/by

When someone finds out that they are going to go through a difficult child custody case. They often don’t know what steps to take to better their chances of getting custody of their child. It’s important to hire one of the many professional family lawyers that are available to help you with your case. He or she can guide you on the steps you need to take to prove that you are the best parent that you can be.

Unfortunately, the cost of hiring an attorney can be quite high. There are many people who are fearful to hire an attorney because they think that they can’t afford it. Fortunately, there are options when it comes to paying a family lawyer.

Minimize the Actual Cost of the Attorney

When you meet with an attorney for the first time, you won’t have to pay anything for the consultation. They will talk to you about your specific situation and let you know what they charge for their services. There are some family lawyers who are willing to minimize the cost of their services by providing you with a list of things that you can do yourself.

This includes gathering evidence that they can use in court and limiting phone calls and meetings as much as possible. Every minute that you spend on the phone with the family lawyer will cost you money.

Creating a list of what you want to discuss with the attorney ensures that you don’t get off track during the conversation. This will decrease the amount of time you are on the phone and thus decrease the charges you have to pay.

You may be able to negotiate with the attorney about what the fees are. While most family lawyers have a flat rate for their services, they may be able to work with you depending on the severity of your case. There are many family lawyers who are willing to work with their clients if they feel that children are put at risk or if the case is high profile and could boost their overall reputation in the community.

Be sure to let the family lawyer know every detail of your case. They can decide if they want to reduce some of the rates that they charge.

Pay the Retainer Fee

In order to hire an attorney, you need to put down a retainer. The retainer is a small portion of the total amount that is paid to them in the end. The retainer is important because it ensures that your ex cannot hire the attorney you've chosen to represent them in court.

Before you sign an agreement to hire the family lawyer, they will tell you what the retainer is. Many family lawyers require the retainer to be paid in full before they will do any work on the case. Be sure to talk to your attorney about how much of the retainer needs to be paid for them to handle your case.

You May Not Have to Pay for the Services at All

If you have minimal money readily available to you, there is a chance that you could qualify to hire the attorney for their pro bono services. Most family lawyers try to do pro bono work on a regular basis.

This means that you don’t have to pay for their services or only have to pay for a portion of their services.

There are certain stipulations that you have to meet in order to qualify for pro bono services though. You may have to prove how much money you make each year or your expenses. The attorney needs to be able to know that you actually cannot afford to pay for their services.

Regular Payments Need to be Paid

While you don’t have to pay for all of the services the attorney does for you at one time, you do have to make regular payments. If you fail to make the payments on time, you can be in breach of contract and the attorney could drop you as a client. Being able to find a new attorney to take on your case will be more difficult if you get a reputation that you don’t pay your attorney fees.

If something happens and you cannot make a payment, you need to talk to the attorney. They may be willing to work with you to lower the payments or take a portion of the payments until you can get on your feet. Avoiding them is not the right answer though.

You’ll be Billed for the Fees at the End of the Trial

At the end of your trial, you’ll be billed for the rest of the fees that are due. The fees will be detailed so that you know what you are being charged. Even though you will owe a large amount of money, more than likely you will still be able to pay for it over time.

If you fail to make the payment, the lawyer can submit the bill to a debt collection company, and they can come after you for the money. Again, it’s important to be upfront and honest if you fall into hard times financially and cannot make the payments.

Most family lawyers would rather get a portion of the money that they are owed rather than no money at all from their clients. If you don’t pay the bill, the likelihood of you hiring them again in the future will be very minimal.

Lawyers are often reasonable people. They don’t want to take every dime that you make, but they also have to make a living too. It’s important to keep the lines of communication open at all times.

If you start to feel stress because of the money that you owe the attorney, talk to them about it. You need to focus on your custody case and being able to not worry about the money can give you the peace of mind that you can focus on the important things in life.

6 Things to Ask Your Family Attorney

September 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Law/by

Family attorneys are an important legal resource. A family attorney is a lawyer specializing in family law primarily covering marriage, divorce, child custody, child support and related legal matters. This is a considerable portion of legal activity in the United States and in many countries around the world.

Just last year alone, $32.3 billion was collected in child support through state and child programs, according to the Office of Child Support Enforcement of the Administration of Children and Families. Plus, the most recent divorce rate in the U.S. was reported as 2.9 per 1,000 population, as published by the National Center for Health Statistics. Divorce and custody battles are common in today's world. Anyone going through a challenging family time should know that they have access to legal expertise through family attorneys.

If you're looking to hire a family attorney, or you already have one on board, you will want to have open and honest conversations about what you're experiencing and what solutions you want to see. Here are six questions you will want to ask your family attorney, in order to have the best possible experience.

What is Parental Responsibility and How do You Address This?

Any family attorney you hire should have a clear understanding of parental responsibility. This is a set of rights and privileges that children have with their parents or guardians as the foundation of their relationships. This includes hands-on parenting time as well as decision making.

Parental responsibility accounts for parents who prioritize planning and preparing for their child's present-day well being and future. When making legal arguments, family attorneys will present parental responsibility and how their client fulfills these duties.

How Does the Court Decide Where the children Live?

Ask your family attorney is how the court determines parental custody. There are many different custody agreements with different conditions. Some parents prefer joint custody, where the kids spend roughly half their time with each parent. Other cases involve a primary custodial parent and a non-custodial parent who visits or sees their child from time to time.

The court takes a lot into consideration when it determines where the children will live and with whom. The court is supposed to make these decisions based on what is in the best interests of the child. Your family attorney can help you determine what's best for your child, and how you can demonstrate this as your legal case proceeds.

What Percentage of Your Cases Settle Outside of Court?

Next, ask your family attorney about their professional track record. You have a right to ask them how many of their cases settle out of court or proceed to trial. You may have an ideal resolution in mind.

Maybe you and your ex are staying on friendly terms, and you're confident that your case can be settled relatively smoothly. Some divorcing parents need to go to trial to get their matters sorted.

When you hire a family attorney, you want to have an idea of what you can expect from their services and their expertise. You should communicate with them about what you would like to achieve as a result of your family legal matters. Expressing your expectations and desired outcomes will assist your family attorney in better helping you.

How Many Cases Like Mine Have You Resolved?

Ask your family attorney about their previous experience with cases like yours. You want someone who is well-versed in situations similar to yours. If your family attorney seems confident and capable in their abilities to resolve your case effectively and efficiently, then this is probably a good match.

While the legal world may be over your head, these individuals have dedicated their entire lives and careers to helping families during times of transition and change. It's in your best interests to work with a family attorney who has reached solutions in comparable cases.

What Do You Recommend for Mediation?

Mediation is a process often used in legal matters that involves the presence of a neutral third party helping parties in conflict. Divorce mediation is common for those who want to try and keep their split out of the court system.

By sitting down and talking out their differences, former couples can often reach agreements regarding their children, their property and other priorities. When you chat with your family attorney about mediation, they can give you some insight into this process. Mediation is often a good starting point.

You can see if you can reach an agreement without escalating the matter any further. Your family attorney will be there to guide you through mediation and help you prepare for these sensitive, often emotional discussions. The more you know and understand about mediation, the better off you'll be.

How Much Will Your Expertise Cost?

When it comes to family law, you want to ask the tough questions about costs before getting heavily involved in this legal process. Your family attorney should be able to give you an accurate estimate of how much their services cost.

Some attorneys work on retainer, and there may be hourly rates involved, as well. You will also want to be upfront and ask about any hidden fees that may come into play, such as filing fees, photocopying or travel expenses.

If you're not careful about your legal spending, it can come back to bite you, so you want to make sure you find an affordable solution for family attorneys. By taking the steps to financially plan for your family attorney, you should have a much better experience overall.

If you're ready to have your questions answered and move forward with this process, get in touch with a reputable, trustworthy family attorney today!

Five Tips for Hiring a Family Attorney

August 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Attorney/by

You and your spouse have been having issues for a while. One day it comes to a head and you both decide it would be for the best to get a divorce. Family matters like this can be sensitive. That’s why you need a family attorney who can work with you during this difficult time. Not make things harder.

There are a wide variety of family-related law issues. It’s important that you find an attorney who can handle your specific situation. To help you pick the best attorney for you, check out the following search tips.

Look for Referrals

The first thing that you should do is ask your family and friends if they have either been in the same situation as you or know someone who has. They can tell you what attorney that they went through to resolve their case. If you've had to go through a law office for something completely different in the past they will be knowledgeable about other offices in the area. They may be able to give you a few referrals.

Do a Background Check

Once you have a few names that you can work with you'll want to do a thorough background check on them. You'll be giving them a lot of confidential family information after all. If you can, try to get some information about their past cases to get a feel for their methods. This will be a good reflection for how they will handle your case.

Check for Professional Experience

Make sure they have the proper certifications to take on your case. After you've determined that, it's only a matter of finding out how many cases like yours that they've won. Make sure you look or ask for specific numbers. Find out how many years that a particular practice has been around before you hire them. You can sometimes find this information on their website or by calling and asking directly.

Determine Charges and Rates

Some attorney's rates can get expensive even for small family matters. It's up to you to decide if the attorney's experience and services match up to the cost. Make sure that the expense is in your budget at all. If it is then get a full list of the attorney's services and the charge for each service.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Do not be afraid to ask questions. You're giving someone a lot of money to perform a service so you should be treating it like a job interview in a way. Here are some of the basic questions that you should be asking when you call.

Do You Handle Family Issues Regularly? – Ask this question in the event that your situation is rare. While the attorney may not have seen a situation like yours before if they've handled a bunch of different family cases, they may know enough where they can figure things out.
For What do You Charge? – If you can get a complete walk through of what you're being charged you can determine if their services are worth the money. Their charges may include long distance telephone calls, postage, research fees, mileage, and time spent in general. These may be all little charges for the most part but they will add up quickly.
Do You Provide a Detailed Bill or a General Bill? – This can be important for budgeting purposes because you'll know exactly where your money is going.
Who Will be Working with Me? – Larger practices will have several attorneys that handle cases. It's important that you ask the person on the phone if you will be working with them or someone else. You need to find out who you will need to contact specifically. Sometimes, if your case is more complicated then others, you work with a team of individuals. If they feel the need to put a private investigator on it, you may work with them too. Make sure you get names and find out how experienced they are.
How Does Someone Contact You? –In order to get the best response time, it's best to know how you can contact your attorney. Ask what the attorneys preferred form of communication is. Some prefer emails and some prefer phone. Sometimes they prefer both but their response time is much faster depending on their case load.
How Do You Handle Issues When They Arise? – As much as you would like for your case to go as smoothly as possible, there is always some sort of issue. You want to ask this question because if the attorney can't give you you the bad news then that should raise some flags. They need to be able to tell you any potential problems and how they plan to try and work around them.

Hire the Best Family Attorney for Your Case

Are you about to go through some type of divorce? Want to get custody of your children? No matter what your situation is, you're going to need the best family attorney to help you solve it. As long as you know what to be looking out for and what questions you should ask, you should be able to find one to suit your needs. Don't let just anyone take your case. Take the time to do thorough research and work with an attorney you feel that you can truly trust.

What A Family Attorney Can Do For You

August 13, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Law/by

Photographer: Sebastian Pichler | Source: Unsplash

What exactly is a family attorney and when would you need one? A family attorney is someone who looks after any legal matters that affect a family. It would seem that the title is self-explanatory, but in fact it's a little complex. If you're very lucky, you'll never need the services of one, however, it's rare that families won't need an attorney at some point. In order to ensure the best handling of your affairs, it's best to find someone who is experienced in the legal matters that surround your specific situation.

Most people think that family attorneys only deal with divorces, but there are many other legalities that they deal with including adoption, child custody, guardianship and wills. If someone decides to take a case against another member of the family, that's another case when a family attorney would be required. Below you can find explanations on the different types of issues that a family attorney can handle.

Divorce

Even though divorce rates appear to be decreasing, it's still a sad fact that just under 50% of marriages end in divorce. Going through a divorce is challenging for all family members involved. Even if both parties plan to have an amicable split, there can be unforeseen circumstances that arise in the process. Emotions make it quite difficult to handle everything without any outside assistance. This is one of the most important times to get the help of a family attorney. They can act as a mediator and advise both parties on how to settle the matter cleanly. They can also assert their legal obligations to each other. Most divorces do not need to go to court. Having a good family attorney can help couples avoid the hassle, pain and expense of a court case. If the split is acrimonious at all, it makes sense to each consult separate family attorneys to manage the divorce.

Pre-Marriage Legal Advice

When people are in the blush of love and planning a wedding, they may not consider any legal advice. However, this is an important time to consult a family attorney. They can help you plan for the future and safeguard documents and finances. A family attorney can help you draft a prenuptial agreement that is fair. It may seem unromantic, but many people have been very thankful in the long-run. Family attorneys can also help with marriage registration in some states.

Handling Adoption

Adopting a child is a huge emotional step for a family, but it is a big legal step, as well. A good family attorney should be consulted in advance to ensure that everything is above board. When adopting, there are several processes to adhere to, and if you are moving a child across state lines, then you must be very careful that you have followed the letter of the law. Consult a family attorney near you so that you can welcome your newest family member without any issues.

Child Custody Agreements

Many families these days are formed in different ways. Some couples may not be married but may have a child together. When the couple splits, regardless of the scenario, figuring out how to manage the children of the relationship can become a problem. As children are so cherished, it can become a very emotional argument as to who gets to keep them and when. A family attorney can help mediate the situation and draw up a child custody agreement that both parents can follow. Your family attorney can also amend this agreement at a later date should there be any changes to the living situations. Once again, people can save a lot of money by hiring a good family attorney, in order to avoid lengthy court battles over their children.

Guardianship

When a family member is sick or losing control of their faculties, it may be necessary to appoint a guardian for them. Family attorneys understand the ramifications of this and can assist in the process, which can be long and rather confusing if you aren't familiar with the legalities. It can seem like an insurmountable pile of paperwork, but this will be navigated with ease by a family attorney. This will ensure that everything is done legally and prevent any problems arising from the guardianship.

Estates and Wills

A will is a legal document through which people state how they would like their property to be managed when they die. If you have very little and your situation is straightforward, then you can make a will yourself but getting it checked by a family law attorney will ensure that you have covered everything.

If there is an estate to be settled upon a family member's death, a family attorney can ensure that it is executed in the correct way. They can also assist with any disputes that may arise when settling the estate.

Court Representation

Although the aim of family attorneys is to settle as much as possible outside of court, sometimes it's necessary to go through this process. If it is a matter of divorce, custody or estate, then it is best to have a family attorney representing. They will help get justice for the litigant. Make sure you choose someone with extensive experience so that they have the practical know-how as well as the legal theory to back it up.

Family attorneys deal with emotional, legal and financial affairs. They can navigate the minefield where these things meet in order to make life easier. It's good to find one nearby and have a chat with them as to how they can help with your family matters.

Don’t Leave You’re Family Wondering – Leave Them With a Will

July 14, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Law/by

No one wants to think about their death. You don't want to think about your own and you definitely don't want to think about the death of the people you love. That's why most of people don't make a will, at least in early life.

But like so many things in life, avoiding it because it's unpleasant leads to things being worse when the inevitable finally does happen. Everyone dies, no matter how careful they are in life. It's best to be prepared so that your passing or your partners passing doesn't cause any more pain than it has to.

One way to do that is to make a will. Your will tells your family what to do with your estate, your remains, and your assets after you're gone. It's not as complicated to make as you'd think, especially not with the help of a professional. Below are reasons to call someone about making a will, as soon as possible.

You Get to Decide Who Gets What

This is what most people assume a will does, and they're right. Wills do allow you to divide your assets and any money in your accounts to the people you love. But that's not all it is. If you don't delegate different assets to different family members, they have to go through a very lengthy and legally expensive process called probate.

Probate is so complex that there are entire units in college math courses that teach how to properly divide property. Since you probably aren't an expert in property division math, you'll have to pay someone, like a lawyer, who is.

The probate process can cost upwards of $5,000 for a simple case. That's more than it usually takes to put together your will. Don't push that expense onto your loved ones, it'll create resentment.

And that's only if everyone agrees with the first outcome. Siblings can spend months fighting in court. It's a lot easier to say "that's what grandma wanted" than go through a court battle.

It Makes Dictating Custody Easier

The worst thing imaginable, other than losing a child, is having a parent die when a child is young. The absolute worst would be two parents. In that case, your child is in the custody of whomever you appointed to be godfather or godmother, but does the state know that? You need to write these custody directives into your will. Worst case scenario your children could go into the foster system while the court is sorting custody out.

You can even write if-then, statements into your will. An example is, "If (name of guardian) can't take the child in good faith because of whatever reason, then the second choice for custody goes to (another name)". You never know what's going to pop up in life, so make sure you leave your children and loved ones with options.

It Reduces Estate Taxes

If you have a sizeable estate including your home, your assets, and whatever stock you have, then you have to pay taxes on the total to the federal government. The Federal cutoff is 11.4 million or more is subject to taxes, while there are a dozen or so states that have their own rules. When you create a will and distribute assets, it's like dividing your estate. You pay fewer taxes in the end.

You can Inherit and Disinherit Based on Circumstances

Let's say your daughter is part of a growing group of millennials that don't want children. You're determined she'll change her mind, but unfortunately you may not get to find out. You can make a statement in your will that says something like, "x amount of money is set aside for daughter's child. If she doesn't have a child by the year ___, then the total amount shall be transferred to her name".

This is your money, so you get to create the contingencies. While you have the right to be specific, try not to be petty. You want to go into your afterlife knowing that those you left behind love and respect you.

You Can Make Gifts and Donations

People often leave certain sums or even percentages of their estates to charities or educational institutions. If there's a lot of money, a grant can even be set up with the funds. This way you get to decide who benefits from the money you worked hard for all your life, and help the mission of organizations close to your heart.

You can even leave specific assets to charities, like your home or your car if you think they'd be of use to them. But know that by leaving something to an organization, you're giving them the right to sell the asset if they feel that's more appropriate.

By choosing to make a will, you don't put any added stressors on your family in their state of sadness. The time and money it takes to make a will is worth not having your loved ones suffer any more than they already will from your passing.

Now that you know the reasons to make a will, it's time to get started. All you need to do is contact a family attorney who has experience in end-of-life planning. They'll help you name all of your assets, and walk you through the rest of the planning process. Don't leave your family guessing. Let them mourn in peace by creating a will.

Getting Divorced? A Family Attorney Can Help

July 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Law/by

Do you need a family attorney to complete your divorce? Yes and no. You can choose to go about the divorce on your own. This choice is totally personal. It depends on the duration of marriage, the partner you are dealing with, and reasons for dissolution. In every case, divorce remains a highly emotive issue and there is a likelihood of making wrong decisions out of emotions. You need another person to see things clearly and help you protect your interests even in the middle of the turmoil.

Why is that Some People do not Engage a Family Attorney?

If the marriage had not lasted long, some people opt not to engage a divorce lawyer. Let’s say a year or two. If there was no property acquired together or children whose interests need to be protected, a few people choose to resolve it on their own.

When the other partner is understanding and agrees to end the marriage and settle all interests amicably, you may not feel the need to engage a lawyer. Some people feel that divorce lawyers tend to fan the flames during the process. To avoid aggravating the emotional anguish, you might opt to go through it alone.

However, this is not always the case for everyone. Most divorce processes are ugly and to be safe, it is advisable to look for a family attorney to expedite the process and protect your interests.

Getting divorced? Here are the incidences that require the help of a family attorney

If you Want to be Divorced

If you have made up your mind that you are following through with a divorce, engage a family lawyer. Think about the specific services that you need. It could be drafting an agreement in writing or coming up with a settlement plan. You could also contact a lawyer for representation or full litigation in court. It could also be something as simple as advice.

Decide the approach of the divorce. Is it a normal case, a preventative or a true emergency? Do you want an amicable approach or a hostile one? Know your personality and match it with that of the law firm you want to engage. Each law firm has a different personality and approach, understand what approach works with your case.

If you Have Been Served with Divorce Papers

If you have been served, there might be legal statements that are beyond you. Call a family attorney to help you understand the implications of all the clauses before you append your signature. Let them advise you concerning your rights, obligations and privileges arising from the divorce.

With an attorney, it is possible to pick grey areas in the proceedings. When you consult an experienced attorney, he or she will advise on the best response. You will be able to know whether to end the process immediately or come up with a new agreement and settlement plan.

If your Spouse has Involved a Family Attorney

There is no way you are going to match up against a seasoned divorce lawyer on your own. If your spouse is already talking to a lawyer, get an attorney to represent you as well. There are so many legal issues that you may not be aware of. To protect your interests, and that you will not be at a disadvantage, seek legal, and experienced representation.

Remember lawyers understand the processes, they will see potential problems in your case. They can advise you on how to prepare. They will also advise on how to stop the spouse from taking advantage of some loopholes. You need to be sure of what you are agreeing to. Most importantly, it will help you keep away from dealing with ugly banter between lawyers. It is absolutely draining.

When Dealing with a Violent Partner

Stay away from a violent partner. It is almost impossible to negotiate with a violent person. The idea of a mutual agreement is completely out of question. To avoid any ugly incidences involve a family attorney to represent you during divorce agreements and court rulings.

The court needs to be aware of violence in the relationship because it holds a lot of weight in divorce deliberations. A representation by a lawyer will also keep you safe from physical harm. The lawyer can help make the best decision on custody and visitation while ensuring that you are safe and your rights are respected.

If you Feel your Spouse is Hiding Something

It is possible that your spouse wants a divorce and they may be deliberately hiding or spending marital assets you bought together. When you suspect that this could be happening, reach out to a divorce lawyer as soon as possible.

When one partner is disposing of assets without the knowledge of the other, the case becomes complex. It is also clear that there is malice on the part of the spouse and his or her attorneys. The best course of action is to get the help of a family lawyer to guide a way out.

Children

Divorce is complex and more painful when children are involved. It is important to have their interests upheld even after the parents separate. You need a lawyer to help come up with an agreement on custody, child support, and other issues pertaining to their wellbeing. Some spouses tend to be slippery especially when it comes to responsibility, have a registered agreement, whether it is negotiation or trial, to ensure that everyone plays their part.

Shared Assets and Property

If you and your partner own a lot of assets and property together, it is a complex process deciding on how to go about dividing the property. The contention on how to split the shared assets could lead to a protracted court battle. You could also be pushed out of your ownership in the process. Involve a lawyer at an early stage to advice on a way forward.

Whether you are going to require mediation, a written settlement, or a court hearing, let the lawyer represent you in all the hearings. It will help you catch issues and dangers of being outsmarted. The lawyer will help you protect your ownership and ensure you get what you are not entitled to.

Support

It is complex when there is settlement on alimony or child support. Rarely do most spouses agree to these things before involving a negotiation or court process. Going through a divorce, then having to keep following a spouse for child support keeps opening painful wounds. Make arrangement for support or alimony through a family attorney to avoid the inconveniences.

To reduce the emotional burden that comes with a divorce, it is advisable to find engage an attorney. it is not safe to go through a divorce alone especially when it is complex because of shared property, children, or support. To identify the best attorney in your area, visit us.

adoption attorneys and why you should hire one

Need an Adoption Attorney? Here Are 5 Facts to Consider

July 1, 2019/0 Comments/in Adoption Law/by admin

More than 135,000 children are adopted by American families every year in the United States. In fact, over 2 million couples are currently waiting to adopt a child of their own. If you’re one of these families, you could speed up the process by hiring an adoption attorney.

Not sure if that’s the right fit for you?

Keep reading below to learn some of the things you should consider about adoption attorneys.

What Does an Adoption Attorney Do?

In short, an adoption attorney helps you gain legal guardianship of a child that isn’t biologically yours. This can include a number of tasks.

Some of the things you can expect an adoption attorney to take care of includes the following:

Find an adoption agency
File the necessary legal paperwork
Advise you with “home studies” (in-home interviews with a social worker)
Represent you at hearings (if necessary)

An adoption attorney understands your legal rights. Because of this, they can help the adoption process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Am I Required to Hire an Attorney to Adopt?

You do not have to hire an adoption attorney to adopt a child.

Some types of adoptions are easier than others. For example, if you want a stepparent adoption, the process is pretty straightforward. You may be able to handle the work on your own.

However, it is often a good idea to hire an adoption attorney, even if the adoption seems simple.

It can be difficult to understand all the requirements you have to meet before you can adopt and all the paperwork you have to fill out to complete the adoption. If you try to adopt on your own and make a mistake, you can slow down the entire process.

In some cases, you may even hurt your changes.

Unless you have an extensive understanding of the adoption process, you should hire a lawyer to help you through it.

5 Things to Consider Before Hiring an Adoption Attorney

Whether you’re leaning toward working with an adoption attorney or not, there are a few things you should consider before you hire.

Here’s a quick look at some of the most important factors.

1. Your Understanding of the Adoption Process

As mentioned above, if you don’t have a firm understanding of the adoption process, you should hire an attorney to help you.

Adoptions can become more complicated than they seem at first.

For example, the birth parents might change their mind about the adoption. Or they might try to extort you.

If something unexpected happens, your attorney can represent you in court or guide you through the best course of action.

2. Your Timeframe

Adoptions can take a long time to finalize.

A standard adoption could take as long as five years. Trying to go through the process on your own can take even longer. Any mistakes you make, legal complications that come up, or requirements you don’t meet will just delay the adoption.

If you want to adopt a child as quickly as possible, your best option is to hire an attorney. They will be able to help you file paperwork on time and may even be able to shorten waiting periods.

3. The Type of Adoption

There are many different types of adoptions, including stepparent adoptions, international adoptions, foster care adoptions, etc. And again, some of these adoptions are easier than others.

If you want to adopt a child from another country, hiring an attorney is in your best interest. The same is true for children in the foster care system.

Even stepparents can benefit from working with attorneys. They’ll be able to help you understand and meet requirements specific to the type of adoption you’re interested in.

4. Your Budget

Even though hiring an attorney is the best choice for most adoptions, you also have to consider your budget. Attorney’s cost money and you may not want to wait to adopt until you can hire one.

If you don’t have a lot of money, you can attempt to adopt a child on your own.

Depending on the type of adoption you’re interested in, you may want to wait to adopt until you have the money to hire legal help. You can also start the process on your own and hire an attorney when you find out you need help.

Either way, you should always do your best to hire an attorney for your adoption.

5. You Made a Mistake

If you’ve already started the adoption process but made a mistake along the way, it’s not too late to hire an attorney. They can help figure out what you did wrong and show you how to correct the problem.

Some adoptions can have long wait periods.

Being stuck in the middle of one of these periods can make it feel like your adoption is at a standstill. This is also a good time to hire an attorney. They might be able to speed up the process and get the ball moving again.

Should You Hire an Adoption Attorney?

Adoption attorneys can bring the child you’ve been waiting for into your life as quickly and stress-free as possible. They’ll also be on your side if something goes wrong and you end up in court.

No matter what type of adoption you want, you should always hire an adoption attorney to guide you through the process.

Are you looking for an adoption attorney that can help you?

Make sure you click here to get in touch with us today!

Sources

[1] POV. (2010, January 17). Fact Sheet | Off and Running | PBS. Retrieved from http://archive.pov.org/offandrunning/fact-sheet/

[2] How to Get Your House Ready for an Adoption Home Study. (2019, March 20). Retrieved from https://www.familyhandyman.com/smart-homeowner/how-to-get-your-house-ready-for-an-adoption-home-study/

Thinking About Divorce? Here’s What You Need to Know

June 21, 2019/0 Comments/in Divorce Law/by admin

Having a life partner is a wonderful feeling. Being able to share your daily life with a person who cares deeply about you is something you can cherish forever. However, as with many situations in life, sometimes, things just don’t work out. In the United States, the most recent divorce rate is 2.9 per 1,000 population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As the U.S. Census Bureau reports in the 2017 Current Population Survey, there are approximately 130 million married adults in America, but close to half of all marriages end in divorce.

Divorces are fairly common in our society, as it’s important that people have an avenue to exit an unhealthy relationship. Divorce can be different for everyone, as each relationship will have its own ups and downs and its own strengths and weaknesses.

It’s part of life that sometimes people may grow apart and may be better off on their own. If you’re thinking about divorce, here’s what you need to know to keep your family happy and healthy.

Don’t Beat Yourself Up

There’s no secret that every relationship takes a lot of work. You can’t put minimal effort in and expect marriage to thrive and last forever. Relationships are built on love, trust, and communication, and if you’re missing one of these core pillars, you’ll really struggle to keep things going.

While you should certainly do your part to make your marriage work, you also should feel proud of yourself for doing the best you could. There comes a time when you realize that things just aren’t working, and perhaps for your safety, wellbeing and personal happiness you’ll be more successful if you’re separated.

The key is that you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself once you reach the point of moving forward separately. This is especially true if you are the victim of physical, verbal and/or emotional abuse.

If you have been mistreated, neglected and/or lied to by an unfaithful, unloyal or uncaring partner, then you should try your best to find a safe space where you can talk about your feelings and process what your future could be.

Your spouse’s behavior may be out of your control, and you need support and guidance to help you understand the idea that there’s nothing more you could have done. If you’ve given it your all and it still wasn’t enough, then divorce is definitely the most viable option. A highly reputable and regarded family attorney can help you through the process.

You Have Options During a Divorce

Oftentimes, people stay in unhealthy relationships because they think they have no choice. They worry about what will happen to their families and their finances if they leave.

While it’s understandable to be concerned about these things, it’s also important that you put your own happiness and wellbeing first for a change. There are options to explore when you want to separate from your spouse.

Lawyers who specialize in divorce can help you navigate your new path to a better life on your own. Even the most complicated situations, such as those involving monetary disputes and child custody arrangements, can be worked out with the help of family attorneys who dedicated their lives to supporting others during difficult times.

Even though the idea of divorce may seem very daunting and overwhelming to you, it’s a more attractive alternative than being unhappy and miserable for the rest of your life in a doomed marriage.

It Won’t Always Be This Way

Another thing you should remember when facing divorce is that you will make it through this speed bump. Your life won’t always be like this, and by moving forward and getting on with your life you’ll be opening up opportunities for more personal happiness and success.

While it may seem like the pain and sadness will never go away, it will as time passes.

Divorces can be amicable, hostile and everything in between. Knowing what you know about your partner, you can gauge how they may react and respond to divorce proceedings and prepare accordingly. If you’re worried, they will be very angry and aggressive, then it’s in your best interests to contact a divorce attorney sooner rather than later.

Legal guidance can make a huge difference in the divorce process, and you won’t regret having someone by your side with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to help with your situation. Regardless of what happens during your divorce, just hold steady to the idea that your future will be great. Moving on with your life can have such a positive impact on you and the people who care about you.

Your Future is Bright

It’s totally true that your post-divorce life is full of promise and potential. If it’s time for you to move on, think of this as an opportunity for you to focus on the things you are truly interested in.

Your family and friends will learn to adjust to your new normal, as will you. It will require patience and flexibility, but your life is far from over just because you’re getting a divorce. There’s hope on the horizon; you’ll be much happier and healthier once you kiss a soured relationship goodbye.

It will be good for your family members to see you taking care of yourself.

Hiring a Lawer For Your Divorce

If you are thinking about divorce, but don’t know what to do, we can help you. There are plenty of resources out there and many people who have been in your shoes. You’d be surprised how many people there are who can relate to your situation and give you guidance.

Plus, you can always contact divorce attorneys who would are happy to help get you moving forward. This is a call you won’t regret making. Good luck on your new journey!

surrogacy and surrogacy lawyers why you should hire one

Surrogacy Lawyer – Top 9 Reasons to Hire One

June 17, 2019/0 Comments/in Adoption Law/by admin

If you’re looking for reasons why you should hire a surrogacy lawyer, you’re in the right place. Choosing the route of surrogacy in order to bring a child into this world is both an exciting and daunting decision.

Yes, the anticipation of meeting your child is incredibly exciting, but complicated fertility and surrogacy laws can take away from these positive feelings.

This is why the expertise of a surrogacy lawyer makes all the difference along your journey to blissful surrogacy.

Learn more about how a surrogacy lawyer can help you along the way in this blog.

What is Surrogacy?

For couples who have struggled with the inability to naturally conceive or carry a child, surrogacy is a non-invasive answer to fulfilling a desire to become parents.

Basically, surrogacy is a procedure which is assisted by reproductive technology which supports in vitro fertilization (IVF).

This is otherwise known as the implantation of a mother’s egg and a father’s semen into a willing surrogate who carries a healthy child to term.

Here’s How a Surrogacy Lawyer Can Help

All the biological details aside, it’s recommended that a surrogacy agreement should not be entered into without consulting a surrogacy lawyer first.

Why? Let’s dive into the facts:

1. Honest Experience

From the get-go, a surrogacy lawyer will discuss exactly what to expect from the process with prospective parents. This includes an outline on the timeline of surrogacy, costs, and any legal issues or hurdles that could arise.

An experienced lawyer will be able to answer any questions you may have and put to bed your doubts and concerns, once and for all.

2. Objectively Assist in the Selection Process

When it comes to choosing the ideal surrogate mother to bear your child, it may be difficult for prospective parents to make a clear-headed, objective decision.

This is totally understandable- there is so much emotion to attached the process of bringing a child into the world. This is where a surrogacy lawyer can help parents see the facts and make the right decision on a surrogate.

3. Help to Minimize Risk and Liability

Surrogacy is a complicated process, fraught with reams of paperwork that may be difficult to understand or decipher. As a prospective parent, you can expect to sign multiple contracts at once, so this is where a surrogacy lawyer can help simplify the process.

During this process, a lawyer can help to minimize risk and liability by helping you to understand what you’re signing, before committing to a contract.

4. Assist in Establishing Parental Rights

This is one of the most important areas of the surrogacy process- establishing your rights as the parents of your baby.

In order to do so, a legal document must be drawn up and signed, or a court order must be obtained by the legal parents. Laws for each state tend to vary, so this is where a surrogacy lawyer can help you streamline this process.

Additionally, working with the expertise of an experienced law firm helps parents to minimize legal risk before even matching with a surrogate. In other words, you’ll be armed with a legal ”plan” before entering into surrogacy.

5. Help to Understate Certain State Laws

Across the United States, surrogacy laws tend to change from one state to another. In some cases, these laws may even change according to your county.

All surrogacy lawyers should be attuned to all current laws pertaining to your state or county and able to assist in discerning these laws.

This also helps when your surrogate is from another state, and the law varies from yours to theirs. In this case, you may need separate representation. But a surrogacy lawyer well-versed in the law across numerous states can help avoid this.

6. Assist in Monetary Discussions and Agreements

The topic of money when it comes to surrogacy is often a very sensitive and highly-contended subject. A lawyer acts as the ”middle man” in this situation and takes over discussions and agreements about money with your surrogate.

Bear in mind that a lawyer enters these discussions with an objective frame-of-mind, and will be able to come to an agreement without emotion. They are also far less likely to feel pressured into agreeing on certain sums of money if they aren’t appropriate!

Basically, they will ensure that you are not paying a surrogate an inordinate amount, but only what is fair according to local standards.

7. Establish Degree of Contact and Relationship Management

Your surrogacy lawyer will be there to establish how much or how little you wish to be in contact with your surrogate. If you do not wish to communicate directly with your surrogate at all, your lawyer acts as a point-of-contact.

Along with this, a lawyer will help with relationship management throughout the course of your surrogacy journey. Should you have any issues, concerns or questions, a lawyer can provide the peace-of-mind you need.

8. Assist in Dispute Resolution

Disputes, disagreements, and quarrels may arise during your surrogacy journey. For example, you may not agree with your surrogate’s way of life, actions, or diet while they’re carrying your child.

This is where a surrogacy lawyer steps in and helps to resolve any disagreements, a breach of contract or settle your concerns.

9. Assist in Drafting of Surrogate Contracts

Finally, a lawyer will be there from the beginning to draft all enforceable surrogacy contracts. These contracts are extremely important as they address important issues which may arise before, during, or after pregnancy.

It’s not always possible to foresee these issues as prospective parents without the experience or foresight of a professional. This is why they are there to help!

Find Your Family Attorney With Us

Looking for the perfect surrogacy lawyer to assist in your family planning journey? Family Attorneys Near Me is your go-to for an assortment of listings of the best this country has to offer!

Have a query about our listed attorneys? Get in touch with us today…

Sources

[1] In vitro fertilization (IVF). (2018, March 22). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716

[2] Surrogacy in the United States. (2016, February 8). Retrieved from https://www.sensiblesurrogacy.com/surrogacy-in-the-united-states/#surrogacy-friendly-US-states

5 Things a Family Attorney Can Help You With

June 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Attorney/by admin

There are many reasons why a person might seek the help of a family attorney. The aim of this article is to inform you of five things a family attorney can help you with.

1. Divorce

When two people get married there is a legal relationship between them according to the state. When two people decide that they no longer want to be married there are legal proceedings that must take place.

Depending on what state the two people get married the rules and paperwork required for a divorce will vary. All states in the United States do allow a divorce under what is called a no-fault divorce. Some states do require that two people are separated for a specific length of time.

Additionally, several states have something called a residence requirement. A residence requirement helps to prevent people from looking for the best divorce law in different states.

Also, each state does have certain guidelines for the division of assets and debt in the process of the divorce. Issues such as domestic violence and infidelity can influence the decision of the divorce made by the court. There are many aspects and factors to consider when filing for a divorce. Many of the factors can be overly emotional and stressful. For this reason, having a family attorney in a divorce process can be extremely helpful.

2. Alimony

Another aspect of divorce that a family attorney can help with is alimony. Along with the issue of alimony, spousal support it’s also common in divorces. Various states have a method to help determine the amount of spousal support that is required.

This is not always the case, though. Sometimes, it can be up to the discretion of the judge. In the circumstances that a court uses a method to determine a support amount, it’s important that the court has all the correct information they need. When it comes to spousal support, the length of time that two people are married is a consideration made by the court.

Another factor also depends upon whether a parent has the ability to pay for the care of the children, as well as any level of debt that was accumulated with joint effort.

In such situations, the court will look at the age of both people requesting the divorce to determine whether they’re able to work or not. One of the final considerations made is any misconduct that occurred from either of the people within their relationship. A family lawyer can work to offer evidence of various aspects needed to influence the court’s decision. Evidence and influence of the court allow for the best possible outcome that a person is looking for.

3. Child Custody

A highly debated form of law done by family attorneys is child custody. Many states will make the decision on child custody and the amount of time a parent gets with the child based on what is best for that child.

In such a situation the court will consider factors such as which parent is the one that has a better bond with the child as well as whether a parent can provide a stable home for the child.
If two parents can agree on a custody agreement the court will usually allow for it. But if the parents are unable to come to an agreement in the presence of a family lawyer is needed. Family lawyers are able to provide evidence about what is best for the child to the court. Evidence can include the child’s school records, letters by a psychologist or counselor, medical records and more.

A family lawyer will work to get all of the evidence needed for the court. Another thing is that family lawyers are knowledgeable about the rules of each state. When dealing with child custody, they have to be considerate of the rules regarding evidence and what is applicable or not within the jurisdiction.

4. Child Support

Aside from the child custody issues, child support is another area where family lawyers come into play. This is because children have a right to receive support from both parents.

The overall aim of child support is to give children whose parents are no longer together the ability to live with the same financial stability that they would have if both parents were still living together. Additionally, the courts generally decide that the parent caring for the child gives direct support to them.

When deciding the amount of child support that will be paid the court considers things like income, tax deductions, insurance, and childcare costs. A family lawyer will work with you to ensure that the amount of child support being paid is correct. The lawyer can do this by making sure the other parent does not hide any income or employment records.

5. Domestic Violence

The last thing that family lawyers are able to assist you with is issues with domestic violence. Domestic violence situations happen when threats or abuse occurs between two individuals’ in a relationship.

When this happens, a family lawyer can help you to navigate certain avenues necessary to keep yourself safe. Lawyers help people to get orders of protection or restraining orders against people committing acts of domestic violence.

On the other hand, family lawyers can also help to stop any false claims of domestic violence between two people. A common belief is that domestic violence is only physical. But this is not true, domestic violence may be emotional, mental, physical, sexual, and even financial.

Finding a Family Attorney

For many, getting a family attorney is the best option to provide safety and stability to the home. If you think you might be in need of a family attorney, you should contact a family law office.

Dealing with legal issues and court proceedings without the help of a family lawyer is tiring and can sometimes be devastating.