Family Law is the area of law that addresses divorce, legal separation or paternity actions.
Also included in this area of the law is child custody, child support, visitation, spousal support or alimony and other legal matters within the family relationship
Divorce / Dissolution of Marriage
In an contested divorce / dissolution of Marriage, the spouses are not in agreement as to how to resolve issues involving their children, property and debt. We represent our clients to achieve a fair resolution of their issues. We have a realistic approach and discuss the risks that are involved, so that our client can make the best decision for him or her and their children.
Uncontested Divorce
In an uncontested divorce / dissolution of Marriage, the spouses are in agreement as to how to resolve issues involving their children, property and debt.
We will advise as to how to effectively handle the legal aspects of resolving your issues. We will prepare the necessary documents, including but not limited to the Judgment and Order of Dissolution, Separation Agreement, Parenting Plan and Child Support calculations.
The advantages to an uncontested divorce / dissolution is that it reduces the legal costs, often time a flat fee is appropriate and the spouses are in control of resolving their issues.
Legal Separation
Legal Separation is may be an option for clients that do not want to divorce their spouse. Legal separation allows a married couple to live separately, divide their property and debt. Maintenance / alimony, child custody, visitation and child support can also be addressed.
Legal separation can be used to protect personal and financial interests. Legal separation establishes a date in which the spouses are not longer responsible for each other’s finances. Legal Separation does not dissolve the marriage. The spouses remain married, yet legally living apart.
Mediation
Ed has obtained certification as a Mediator. As Mediator, he is neutral in the process. He will meet with the spouses to collect information from the spouses with regard to their children, property and debt. As a Mediator, he will negotiate settlement of the issues with the spouses. At the conclusion of the meetings, our office will prepare the appropriate legal documents including, the Judgment and Order of Dissolution of Marriage, Separation Agreement and Parenting Plan. The advantages of Mediation is that it reduces the legal costs involved and the spouses are more control in resolving their issues.
Collaborative Divorce
Each spouse hires a lawyer to represent them in their divorce. The spouses and their lawyers meet to discuss the dissolution of their marriage. In the event there is no resolution through collaboration and the spouses decide to go to court, the lawyers can no longer represent the spouses. Spouses have to retain new lawyers to represent them in court.
The advantages of collaborative divorce is that it reduces the costs involved and the spouses are more control in resolving their issues. Meetings are held in the lawyers offices and not at the courthouse.
Paternity
Unmarried parents need to establish Paternity with the Court in order to obtain their legal rights with regards to child custody, visitation and child support
Establishing Paternity in Court is the only way an unwed father can obtain legal rights to be involved in his child’s life including custody, visitation and child support. An unwed Father has an obligation to support his child, but that does not include any rights as to custody and visitation.
Mothers or Fathers can file Paternity actions. The advantage to establishing Paternity is that the unmarried parents will have a legally enforceable Order that addresses all parenting issues including child custody, visitation and child support.
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