Why Is Family Law Important?
Whether you’re facing divorce, an adoption, or other legal matters related to your family, you should have the help of an experienced attorney. You need someone who is committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that you get the outcome you deserve.
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When your life is in crisis, you need the support of a family law lawyer who cares about your situation and your well-being. It’s a stressful time, and the right family attorney will help you take a step back so you can focus on what’s most important: your kids and your family.
At Carmody Holliday Legal Services, PLLC, we are dedicated to finding a solution that works for you. With our experience in a wide variety of family law matters, we can ensure that your legal needs are met so you can return to the normalcy of your everyday life.
Our firm specializes in resolving divorce and other family law issues that arise when couples separate. We work with separating couples to draft a fair and comprehensive child custody arrangement and property division plan that protects their interests.
We can also help you with other sensitive family issues, such as prenuptial agreements, alimony, child support, or adoption. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who can help you reach an agreement that works for both parties.
Disputes in Family Court can become extremely complicated and contentious. A judge may be called in to resolve the dispute, or the parties may decide to try mediation or go through a collaborative law process.
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that uses an impartial third party to help people resolve their differences without going to court. It is particularly helpful for cases involving child custody and visitation arrangements because it can help the parents come up with a reasonable, agreeable schedule that both parties are willing to follow.
Collaborative Law is a growing approach to resolving family law disputes. This method involves bringing the parties together with a team of experts (such as mental health providers, financial consultants, and child psychologists) to find a mutually satisfactory solution.
When the parties can agree to a mutually acceptable schedule, they can save a lot of time and money by avoiding the cost and stress of a trial. This is why many divorce cases are resolved through settlements instead of trials.
During a trial, the judge hears evidence and makes decisions about issues such as custody, visitation, paternity, support, and other matters. The fact-finding hearing is usually held first, followed by a dispositional hearing that determines how the case should be resolved.
A trial in Family Court can be as simple as a hearing and the decision of a single judge, or as complex as a full-blown jury trial. The judge has the authority to order a defendant in a trial to be held in jail or to garnish his or her wages for child support payments.
In addition, a judge may hold you in contempt of court when you break the terms of your divorce agreement or don’t pay child support. Being in contempt of court can lead to heavy penalties including jail time and loss of assets.