What Does Family Law Encompass?
Family law is an area of legal practice that focuses on issues relating to family and relationships. These issues include cases of divorce, adoption, child custody, emancipation, paternity, among others.
States have the power and right to determine formal requirements for family-related issues. So, it is possible to find slight variations in some family laws from state to state. The variations can also include age for marriage, legal capacities, child custody, procedures for divorce, and other family matters.
Some Helpful Terms You Should Know About Family Laws
There are several terms in the context of family law. However, below are some of the most prominent ones you should get familiar with.
- Alimony: Alimony is an allowance or a specific amount of money one spouse pays to another as support during or after a legal divorce or separation.
- Marital Property: It is the property or properties acquired by either spouse during the period of marriage that is subjected to division upon divorce.
- Prenuptial Agreement: Prenuptial agreement is a form of concession between a man and woman before marriage. Both parties give up on future rights to each other’s properties in case of separation or divorce.
- Emancipation: It is a court procedure where a minor becomes free of their parents, assumes adult roles for their welfare, and becomes self-supporting.
- Paternity: Paternity is the descent or origin of the father; hence, a paternity test helps confirm a child’s biological father in a case of a dispute.
Why Should You Consider Hiring a Family Law Attorney?
Family law attorneys can represent clients in a family law proceeding to ensure that clients are appropriately protected. They can also help you navigate within the confinement of law in cases involving negotiations such as child custody. They are also on hand to help you draft valuable legal documents such as property agreements and court petitions.
Major cases where you might need a family attorney proper representation and protection include;
- Divorce
- Child custody and child support
- Foster care and child adoption
- Paternity
Note: Laws involving these cases vary slightly from state to state. However, family law often interacts with various other legal practice areas such as mediation and collaborative law, immigration and naturalization law, and estate planning.
