How Family Law Works

The application of family law deals with all aspects of the law governing family relations. A family law attorney prepares and files petitions in court, as well as represents his or her client. Some jurisdictions have family courts designated for this purpose, where all these aspects are judged. In other areas, family law matters are heard in municipal, district or circuit courts. At lowenthal-hawaii.com you can get the best advice.

There are several cases that fall under the general term of family law:

  • Prenuptial agreements: It is becoming increasingly common for couples planning their wedding to agree to have an attorney draw up a contract that legally binds them. This document details the disposition of their current and future assets in the event of a divorce or the death of one of the spouses. This document will be presented by the lawyer in court. These arrangements are particularly convenient for couples who are marrying in a second marriage and already have children or grandchildren even from the previous marriage, or such arrangements tend to be very common when one spouse has more wealth or assets than the other.
  • Divorces: Many couples who separate need the full legal assistance of a professional in order to legally disassociate themselves from their former spouse. In the case of domestic violence, a family law attorney may apply to the court for a restraining order to prevent the abuser from continuing to abuse his spouse or dispose of the marital property until the judge signs a partnership agreement.
  • Paternity cases: It is often the case that many mothers want the father of their child to be legally and financially responsible for the child, or in the case of a father who wants to establish paternity of his child, he will need to have an experienced family law attorney to advise him of all the legal steps he needs to take.
  • Child support, custody and visitation: In divorce cases or when the relationship that the child is born with ends, it is necessary to make a custody agreement that defines which of the two parents will live with the child most of the time. If the relationship ends on good terms, the parents usually agree between themselves, but it is very common for one of the parties to need a lawyer to defend his or her custody rights.

Visitation is another issue that parents deal with in family court. Depending on how problematic a divorce or separation is, moving a child from one parent’s home to the other parent’s home may require a degree of subtlety that is best handled by legal professionals. A family law attorney can strongly challenge a parent’s claim that his or her client needs supervising visits with the child. A qualified family law attorney can address your particular legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. If you need to contact a serious, responsible family law attorney who can best advise you, discuss your concerns and contact the best at lowenthal-hawaii.com, it is your best option.