How to Choose A Family Lawyer
Family law is one of the most important fields in which civil law exists today. Family law deals with issues that affect the children of a family, including their parents and their extended families. Many times, the children are involved in a dispute over the property of their parents, or over which parent has custody of them. Civil laws are much different from criminal law, so the St. Louis family lawyer you are considering will have to be knowledgeable in this area.
Divorce is a typical matter handled by a St. Louis family lawyer. These lawyers deal with all matters that relate to the division of a couple’s property, including spousal and child abuse, child adoption, child separation, annulment, and termination of marriage. The laws vary from area to area, so it is wise to research local divorce laws before choosing an attorney. Many family attorneys also work in criminal law, so they can handle a variety of criminal matters such as DUI/DWI charges, drug charges, child abuse and neglect, etc.
Child support is another area of family law that affects people who live in St. Louis. In cases where the husband is unable to pay alimony or the wife is unable to make payments due to financial hardships, family attorneys may be able to negotiate a modification of the terms of alimony. If the wife lives in St. Louis with the father and the child or children are too young to attend school, the family lawyer may be able to petition the court to change the custody arrangement. The family lawyer also may be able to petition for temporary child support while the case is pending.
An issue that often arises in family law cases is the right of grandparents to grandchildren. In the case of grandparents who get married before the child is born, they can petition to have the marriage dissolved so that the grandchild does not have to be a part of the union. However, if the grandparents marry after the birth of the grandchild, they must give their consent before the marriage is performed. Grandparents who wish to petition for the dissolution of their marriage must follow all of the appropriate procedures that apply to parents who get married before the birth of the child. Sometimes grandparents who wish to have their grandparents sign the marriage papers may be required to appear in Family Court.
St. Louis family lawyers help people settle their divorce cases, including prenuptial agreements, custody arrangements, division of assets and liabilities, and alimony. Many family lawyers also handle juvenile cases, including juvenile marriages, child abuse and neglect, paternity, juvenile delinquency, and so on. Whatever your circumstances, it is always best to work with an experienced and reputable St. Louis family lawyer who has your best interests at heart. A St. Louis family lawyer can give you legal advice and help you through every step of the process to ensure that your divorce proceeding will result in the fairest possible resolution.
Because attorneys work with different clients to represent different scenarios, it is important to choose an attorney who is familiar with the area of law in which you are filing suit. Family attorneys are experienced in handling a wide range of cases, including domestic disputes and others such as employment and insurance matters. When choosing a St. Louis family lawyer, it is important to choose an attorney who will listen carefully to your needs and fight for you with courage. By keeping these tips in mind, you will be able to find the right St. Louis family lawyer to meet all of your needs.