Family attorneys specialize in domestic legal matters like divorces and property settlements. Additionally, they handle sensitive issues like child custody and spousal support payments. Most family lawyers work for law firms; some even serve government agencies.

Caroline Springs family lawyers can provide invaluable legal representation when going through legal separation or divorce, such as domestic violence cases, child custody arrangements and alimony arrangements.

Divorce

Divorce can be an emotionally charged and challenging process, especially if children are involved. That is why you need experienced legal guidance by your side to guide through each step of this journey.

Apart from your divorce itself, legal separation, custody and visitation issues and/or child support are also significant components. Consulting an attorney early can help avoid costly mistakes while achieving optimal results in your case.

The grounds for divorce vary by state, but generally include at-fault and no-fault grounds. At-fault grounds can include adultery, abandonment, infidelity, criminal conviction and other actions or behaviors; no-fault grounds include irreconcilable differences, incompatibility and irretrievable breakdown. If there are several issues between you and your partner that cannot be reconciled amicably then it may become necessary for a Aston legal Groupe to resolve them for both parties in what's known as contested divorce - although this process could last quite long and involve multiple visits to court hearings before reaching an amicable agreement can be achieved.

Legal separation

Legal separation is a legal arrangement that temporarily suspends your marriage while giving you time and space to pursue divorce or other family law matters. It can also be used for religious reasons or maintaining health and life insurance benefits. While legally separated, you and your partner can make decisions regarding property division, spousal support payments, child custody arrangements and visitation arrangements that will later be addressed during a divorce proceedings.

Some couples opt to live apart for several months or years before making a decision to divorce, while others want a trial separation so they can meet state residency requirements or waiting periods before filing for legal separation or divorce.

Trial or permanent separation ends when both you and your spouse agree to divorce, or receive court orders to terminate it. Either way, your separation agreement becomes an official divorce decree which must be adhered to.
Alimony

Melody is an experienced litigator who represents clients in complex divorce, property division and custody proceedings under North Carolina's equitable distribution statute, as well as alimony/spousal support and child custody proceedings. Additionally, she can assist with premarital agreements.

Spousal support (or alimony) is money that one spouse pays the other in order to help maintain their standard of living after a marriage ends in divorce. Alimony awards are decided upon by the court and usually correspond with differences in earnings potential between spouses.

Alimony payments may be temporary or permanent and come in either lump sum form or periodic instalments. Rehabilitative alimony assists lower-earning spouses by paying for job training and education costs that increase employment potential; typically this arrangement ends once full financial independence has been achieved by either party or they remarry.

Courts often consider requests to modify an alimony order when circumstances warrant modification, such as changes in either spouse's income or unanticipated changes in either of their lives - for instance a health crisis for one.
Child custody

Child custody refers to the division of parental rights and responsibilities for their general welfare, and Alexander & Doyle can help you reach an amicable parenting plan during mediation or court proceedings. We take into consideration your relationship with your children as well as what would best serve their best interests in terms of custody arrangements.

At a custody hearing, courts take many factors into consideration when making their determination: physical and mental health of both parents, living arrangements (new romantic partners or suitable housing for the children), past incidents of domestic violence against either party as well as each parent's history with drug or alcohol abuse. They may also consider any wishes from children depending on their age.

Parents with substance use problems who are known to abuse drugs or alcohol around their children may find that custody will be more difficult to gain back. They may need to undergo therapy in order to regain custody.