Family law attorneys specialize in various domestic legal matters. This can include preparing prenuptial agreements, negotiating and litigating no-fault and fault divorces as well as resolving custody and support disputes.

Divorce

Divorce (also called dissolution of marriage) is the legal separation of two married partners, permitting each to live separately while setting forth terms for custody, support, and property division.

When filing for divorce, your attorney will prepare a Summons and Complaint which outlines your grounds and desired asset distribution by court order. Following this filing, mediation conferences with neutral mediators may be scheduled as part of court procedures to help settle issues between both parties involved.

If you and your spouse disagree about any aspect of the divorce process, going to trial may become necessary. This process, known as contested divorce, can be stressful, costly (with attorneys' fees rising rapidly) and time consuming.

Your divorce case could require temporary orders on issues like child custody and support while it's pending, however it would be prudent to speak to a Ivanhoe family lawyer first in order to identify and pursue appropriate solutions on your behalf.
Paternity

No matter whether or not you are the father of a child or seeking child support payments, paternity is crucially important to everyone involved. Establishing legal fatherhood allows a man to financially contribute as well as request custody or visitation time with his child(ren). Furthermore, children will benefit from his contributions in terms of Social Security benefits, health insurance plans and even inheritances from him.

Unmarried parents can either submit a Paternity Acknowledgment Affidavit with their local child support office, or file a court action, with either option usually including DNA testing as part of their proceedings.

Intervention Order Lawyer's Family Law Center provides state-specific paternity information. Here, articles are written to assist individuals in establishing or challenging paternity as well as identify what options may exist for their specific situations.
Domestic Abuse

Abuse comes in many forms, including physical, emotional and financial. It may involve controlling one's movements by forbidding them from leaving the home or using weapons against them; domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, races and genders.

Abusers may use various means to intimidate their partners, including threats of violence, menacing gestures or expressions, destruction of property and hurtful or killing of pets as well as showing weapons to them. They may also engage in patterns of psychological abuse including constant criticism, name calling and public put downs.

if you believe you are involved in an abusive relationship, seek assistance immediately. A lawyer can assist with obtaining a restraining order (also referred to as protection order or protective order) against your abuser which legally prevents them from approaching or harming you again, while providing advice about its effects on other matters such as child custody and visitation rights as well as connecting you with local domestic violence services and support organisations.
Adoption

Adoption is the permanent legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from one family to another, including children as young as babies up to teenagers from different races and backgrounds - including siblings - who could come with medical or emotional conditions that require attention from adoptive parents who must have sufficient income to meet their own needs as well as excellent physical, emotional, and mental health.

Aston legal specializes in international business law and human rights law, particularly corporate responsibility to respect individuals' human rights. She has extensive experience assisting companies with cross-border trade compliance requirements as well as global supply chains.