When Do I Need A Family Law Attorney?

Family law encompasses several other types of legal issues that commonly occur in people’s day-to-day lives. If you’re unfamiliar with what other types of services a family law attorney can help you with, this short guide will familiarize you with the basics.
 

Divorce

Divorce cases are typically the bulk of a family law attorney’s practice. When looking for a lawyer to represent you during a divorce or legal separation, it’s a good idea to speak with several different attorneys before you choose.

Divorce cases often take longer than most people expect, and your attorney will play a critical role in guiding and advising you throughout the process. Having a good relationship with your attorney will make the process a lot smoother.
 

Child Custody & Child Support

While child custody and child support issues are most often handled during the divorce process, there are several circumstances where a lawyer may be needed to help after your divorce has been finalized.

Common situations that might require an attorney’s help with custody and/or support include:

• A dramatic change in one or both parents’ incomes
• When either parent gets remarried
• Alegations of child abuse
• Criminal charges, alcohol and/or drug abuse

Any combination of these issues may necessitate modifying child support and or custody rules, in which case you’ll need to work with an attorney to facilitate the request.

Establishing Paternity

In most instances, paternity cases are filed by a child’s mother in an effort to secure child support payments from an absent father. However, sometimes biological fathers file for paternity in order to have a relationship with their children.

To settle paternity cases, the court will typically order DNA testing.
 

Adoption

Depending on the circumstances, an adoption may require the help of an experienced attorney to help a parent or parents navigate the intricacies of the legal process.

There are several different types of adoption parents can pursue, and different adoption requirements based on where the child is from, state laws, and other factors.

While a lawyer may not be technically required in some adoption cases, working with an attorney who knows the process inside and out can often make all the difference.
 

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a crime in California, and while criminal charges are not the responsibility of a family law attorney, they can help victims with the civil legal issues that frequently come up.

If you are the victim of domestic violence, a family law attorney can help you obtain a domestic violence restraining order. This will give you legal protection and recourse if your abuser attempts to contact you after the order has been granted.
 

It’s Okay To Ask For Help

All of the issues mentioned above can be incredibly difficult and stressful to deal with. Trying to go through any of these issues alone can be daunting, to say the least. If you are facing a legal problem related to family law, it’s okay to seek help.

At Vonder Haar Law, we have extensive experience guiding and advising our clients through the difficult challenges they face dealing with the legal system. To learn more about how we can help you with your legal issues, please contact us today for a free consultation.