Family law is an area of private law which deals with family matters and domestic relations, including such things as matrimonial, finance, and child law. One who specializes in this area of law is called a family law lawyer.
But what does a family law lawyer do? Read on to find out the roles of a family law lawyer.
The Five Roles of a Family Law Lawyer
A family law attorney performs the following five functions:
Divorce
Marriage is blissful, but divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster as things begin to fall apart and a civil union heads to the rocks. Oftentimes, these things get out of hand and result in a divorce, thus necessitating the involvement of a family law attorney to help resolve the issues amicably. A family law lawyer will help you navigate the complex system of matrimonial law and ensure you get all your entitlements, such as assets, property, alimony, and child support.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
A family law attorney will help you work out the details of your prenuptial and postnuptial agreements so you know who gets what during and after a divorce. A prenuptial agreement usually takes place before marriage and outlines the property and assets due to a spouse in the event of a divorce, whereas a postnuptial agreement comes after marriage and includes such things as child custody and support, which ordinarily won’t be covered by a prenuptial agreement.
Alimony
A court usually mandates a divorced or legally separated person to pay alimony to a former spouse. However, some states regulate the amount of spousal support through legislation. In other states, judges have the final say on alimony. Whichever way, you still need a family law lawyer to provide the judge with all the necessary information, such as income, ability to work, level of accumulated joint debt, and even the conduct of each spouse, to be able to reach a decision.
Child Custody
More often than not, you see estranged couples or even unmarried parents fighting for the custody of their kids. Sometimes, such matters are settled in court after having exhausted all alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The court will then consider some factors like bond with parents, criminal or drug activity involving one or both parents, stability at home and other issues towards an amicable settlement. It’s therefore the duty of a family law attorney to gather the necessary evidence to present before the court to help the judge reach a verdict.
Child Support
Child support is an ongoing obligation for a periodic payment made by a noncustodial parent to the custodial parent or guardian to take care of the financial needs of the children of a failed relationship or marriage, or one that never existed in the first place. To ensure that the children get the necessary financial support, a family lawyer will gather information such as income, medical bills, and allowable deductions and present the information in court to help compute the child support appropriately.
A family lawyer handles cases such as divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, alimony, child custody, and child support. So, we hope that answers your question, “What does a family law lawyer do?”
How Lewis Law Can Help
No matter what your family law issue may be, Lewis Law, PLLC in Fairfax County, Virginia is here to help. We understand the unique challenges that families face when dealing with legal matters, and we’re dedicated to providing compassionate and effective representation. Whether you’re going through a divorce, seeking child custody or support, or dealing with another family law issue, we can help.
We’re an experienced and innovative family attorney with a track record of winning over 94% of cases in more than 1,000 court appearances and securing the reduction of sentences in over 340 of those cases.
Get your free consultation today. For more information or inquiries, call our toll-free number (703) 591-4507 or visit our office at 3925 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 202, Fairfax, VA 22030.
