Although you might associate a family lawyer with custody battles and difficult divorces, they actually handle all types of legal issues that affect families.
Tarrant County family lawyers deal with many different legal matters, from the dissolution of a marriage to arranging adoptions. While you can find some general information on this topic online (see Resources), it’s best to consult with an attorney before scheduling an appointment to get personalized legal advice more suited to your specific situation.
If you’re already divorced or anticipating that your marriage is on the rocks, then you will probably need some basic knowledge about what exactly is involved in getting a divorce. It’s important for both parties to know their rights; some states, like Massachusetts , allow either party to make the first move and file for divorce, while other states require one spouse to serve the other with divorce papers. Either way, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and how much it will cost.
If you and your spouse can’t come up with an agreement on custody or visitation rights and child support and alimony (called “spousal support” in many states), then you’ll need a lawyer’s help to work out these issues in court. If you’re worried that your ex might leave the country with your children, then hiring a family lawyer is even more crucial. They can take steps such as filing for international parental kidnapping charges against the offending party (see Resources). Divorce lawyers also have experience helping parents deal with high-conflict situations and protecting the best interests of their children.
It’s important to understand that a divorce is not just about dividing up your belongings and splitting custody of your kids; it can have significant long-term effects on you both financially, as well as emotionally. Fortunately, there are many resources available for those going through a divorce (see Resources).
Although it might seem like a good idea to try to handle the legal aspects of your family law case on your own , this generally isn’t recommended. You will likely be overwhelmed with stress from everything else going on in your life, and it also makes sense to leave the legal intricacies up to an expert who knows what they’re doing. In addition, hiring an attorney early in the process can make negotiations much easier and prevent future problems.
If you are trying to decide whether or not you need a Tarrant County family law attorneys, then it might be best to seek out one for an initial consultation. During this meeting, the lawyer will tell you about their experience with similar cases, as well as how your case might fit into that experience. They will also talk about what they can do, including whether or not they can help solve your problem over the phone or if they have to meet with you in person several times first. If it’s clear that they won’t be able to help much, say because your situation is outside of their area of expertise, then at least you haven’t wasted any time better spent elsewhere doing online research or searching for a different legal representative.
A family lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in any number of situations, from adopting a child to getting custody of your kids after you divorce. While it might be intimidating or expensive to hire help, remember that this is someone with years of educational and professional experience who knows the law inside and out. Although they aren’t magicians, they can solve problems that would take you months or even years on your own. More importantly, hiring an attorney will be one of the most important things you ever do for yourself and your family.