What Does a Family Law Attorney Do?

We live in a world where family problems arise on a daily basis, even in the most united and happy families. Marital issues, divorces, paternity rights and juvenile delinquencies are just a few of the most common problems that families have to deal with on a daily basis. Many family member are experiencing problems for the first time, and really don't know where to turn for help. They know that certain attorneys specialize in family issues, but don't know to what extent. In order to get the help they need, they need to know where to turn and find out if they need to seek the help of a legal professional. What exactly does a family law attorney do? Here are the most common issues they handle.
Family law attorneys generally handle all the legal matters that arise with people within a family. They will represent husbands, wives, children, grandparents, guardians and domestic partners in many legal aspects, including but not limited to divorces, child support cases, child custody cases, visitation rights, paternity rights, premarital agreements and more. Adoptions and juvenile delinquency cases are also handled by family law attorneys.


Depending on the case, the attorney can act as a buffer between both parties, at times making sure that their client receives the rights deserved and at other times trying to establish better communication and understanding between the parties. The other party will probably have a family attorney as well, and mediation meetings will most likely be scheduled in order to come to an agreement on the specific matter. If the parties do not settle during the mediation proceedings, the case will most likely be taken to court and presented in front of a family judge. The judge will then decide the outcome of the case base on the information and facts provided.
Family attorneys can also handle criminal issues, like domestic violence and juvenile delinquencies. Not all of them will specialize in the same areas, so a person must do some research to find the lawyer that is most suitable to their specific case.
When a married couple is looking to adopt a child, legal steps must be taken in order to make the adoption official. They will most likely seek the help of a family attorney who will guide them through the needed paperwork and procedures based on the requirements of the specific jurisdiction in which they reside.
Wealthy and famous individuals will usually also seek the help of these attorneys, especially before getting married. The lawyer will most likely create a document known as a prenuptial agreement, which clearly and legally states how the assets will be divided in the case of a divorce, and how child support and visitation should be handled. It is very well known that famous stars that do not have prenuptial agreements go through very difficult times when they are faced with divorce. For this reason many of them find the best family attorneys to create strong and well-crafted prenups.

Not all attorneys are created equal. If an individual finds him/herself in a situation where they think they might need a family lawyer, it is important for them to do plenty of research. They must find an attorney that specializes in their specific type of case, and that has an excellent track record of success. Most firms will offer a free initial consultation. It is recommended to talk to several family law attorneys before deciding to hire one. This will ensure the best outcome in a delicate family situation.