Family law involves individuals undergoing a significant change in their personal relationships. These cases involve couples with or without children who seek legal advice or assistance in transitioning away from one another. Family law addresses comprehensive family relationship issues, including but not limited to the following:
– Marriages, domestic partnerships, or civil unions
– Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
– Divorce, annulment, or legal separation
– Equitable division of marital property
– Adoption
Family law is a specialized field, making it beneficial to consult a local family lawyer who can address your specific questions. While each state may have its guiding principles, the following overview can serve as a starting point as you consider whether to seek legal counsel.
- Adoption:
Adoption involves the legal process of an adult becoming the parent and guardian of another person, typically a child. There are various forms of adoption, ranging from stepparents adopting their spouse’s biological children to parents adopting a child from a foreign country.
Adoption laws differ by state, and each type of adoption carries specific legal requirements. Therefore, consulting an experienced adoption lawyer in your state can provide valuable guidance.
Biological parents may have concerns about stopping the adoption of their child or maintaining contact after the process is finalized. The answers to these questions may also vary by state, so seeking advice from a knowledgeable adoption attorney for mediation Surrey is advisable.
- Divorce
The laws governing divorce are specific to each state, but there are commonalities. One of the key aspects is the allowance for no-fault divorce, meaning individuals can end their marriage without proving fault, like infidelity or domestic violence. Irreconcilable differences can serve as grounds for divorce. While fault-based divorces still exist, they are rare. It’s advisable to consult with an experienced attorney to determine the best course of action.
Divorce typically involves the division of marital property, which varies based on whether you reside in a community-property or equitable-division state. In a community-property state, acquired assets are divided equally. In an equitable division state, a fair distribution is determined by considering several factors. It’s crucial to note that property like personal injury awards, gifts and inheritances may not be categorized as community property. Seeking guidance from skilled solicitors Surrey in your state will help identify which property will be subject to court proceedings.
- Spousal Support
Spousal support, also known as alimony or spousal maintenance, is meant to mitigate the financial impact of a divorce by providing income to the non-wage earner. When determining the amount of alimony to award, the judge in your divorce case has wide discretion but will take into account several factors, including:
– The standard of living during your marriage
– The duration of your marriage
– The health of both you and your spouse
– The paying spouse’s ability to support both parties
Alimony is ordered for a duration sufficient to allow the receiving spouse to become financially independent, although it may continue until the receiving spouse’s remarriage or death in regard to a long-term marriage or stay-at-home parent. Generally, alimony terminates upon the receiving spouse’s remarriage.
Finally, if you are dealing with family-related issues such as divorce, seeking child support, domestic violence, and more, reach out to family law lawyers Surrey.
