Lawyers can provide assistance for a range of family legal issues, including divorce, child custody and adoption.
Estate planning is also an integral aspect of family law for forward-thinking couples, and family lawyers can provide invaluable help with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as well as helping emancipate minors from parental supervision.
Divorce
Divorce and legal separation often involve numerous issues, including the division of assets and debt; who will care for children; and whether one spouse should pay child support. A family law attorney can work to resolve these matters quickly and fairly; they may suggest alternative dispute resolution processes like divorce mediation or collaborative family law as effective solutions.
Family lawyers provide services to assist victims of domestic violence or threats of harm by seeking restraining orders on their behalf, helping with adoptions, foster care and filing for emancipation (if under 18). Other family-related legal areas covered include prenuptial agreements; civil unions and domestic partnerships – although laws regarding these issues can differ by state.
Separation
Skilled New York family law attorneys can guide their clients through the complex legal procedures surrounding divorce. They can explain client rights and file all required paperwork – protecting client interests in every step along the way.
Family lawyers provide invaluable services when it comes to separations, child custody disputes and other aspects related to marriage and the family unit. Prenuptial agreements may be created prior to marriage to safeguard financial assets while they can also assist with adoptions, paternity matters and domestic violence matters.
Family law careers can be rewarding for attorneys with a desire to make an impactful difference in people’s lives. If this field interests you, start exploring programs offered at law schools; some offer externships, clinics or volunteer opportunities that could give you hands-on experience.
Child Custody
Child custody cases require the court to prioritize what’s in the best interests of each child involved, so an experienced New York family law attorney can assist parents in understanding and navigating any arrangements made between parties involved.
Legal custody refers to who makes decisions for their child concerning healthcare, education and welfare matters, while physical custody refers to where a child resides full-time. Parents can share both legal and physical custody equally or one parent can have sole custody.
Custody arrangements often include visitation rights for the other parent, either supervised or unsupervised. Sometimes custody disputes require assistance from an impartial mediator or arbitrator; often law guardians will also be assigned as legal representatives to represent children involved in these disputes.
Paternity
Paternity is the legal declaration of who the father of a child is. This legal decision has significant ramifications for custody, visitation and support arrangements; social security benefits; medical history through their father; inheritance rights. Paternity can either be established voluntarily by mother and alleged father or involuntarily through legal processes.
Men who believe they are the fathers of children may sign a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity (VAP) form to establish themselves as presumed fathers and become presumed payors for child support payments; such an acknowledgment also impacts other aspects of family law such as inheritance rights and life insurance coverage. Mediation or collaborative law may help families navigate less adversarial ways towards settling paternity disputes.
Adoption
Adopting or fostering children involves various legal complexities that must be navigated carefully in order to be approved as adoptive parents. From conducting background checks and home visits, to final approval for adoption – timeframes and procedures must be strictly observed in order to achieve success.
Family law attorneys can guide prospective adoptive parents through New York’s independent adoption process and ensure all legal requirements are fulfilled. Furthermore, these legal experts are adept at handling child support matters; which involve determining how much both parents should contribute towards caring for a child’s care.
If you are interested in family law as a career path, look for schools that provide clinics or externship opportunities as this will give you hands-on experience helping clients meet their individual needs.