Legal disputes or issues involving family members can be deeply challenging to resolve. They often involve relationships between parents and children, which can lead to contentious court proceedings. Given the high stakes, the support of a dedicated attorney is invaluable.
Before you step into a courtroom on your own, it could benefit you to discuss your options with legal counsel. Even a minor mistake during these proceedings could dramatically impact your relationship with your closest relatives. Let a Matthews family lawyer advise you on your legal options.
One of the most common reasons for hiring a family attorney in Matthews is for the dissolution of a marriage. When these relationships break down, there are numerous issues that must be resolved. The court will ultimately make these decisions if the parties cannot come to some kind of agreement.
Before the court will dissolve a marriage, there must be proof of something known as grounds for divorce. These are the legal justifications for bringing the union to an end. In North Carolina, most couples rely on “no-fault” divorce proceedings. In this type of divorce, there is no need for either party to prove the other was responsible for the breakup. Instead, they only need to establish that there is no hope for reconciliation.
Dissolving a marriage usually comes with many decisions that must be made, and many of them are contentious. Some are financial, including the division of marital property or an award of alimony from one spouse to another.
The custody of minor children is also an issue in these cases. While both spouses have the chance to be heard, they are never guaranteed to get the outcome they prefer. Instead, a judge is required to make a decision based on what is best for the child.
Before an unmarried father of a child can enforce their rights, they must be formally recognized as a parent under the law. This process is simple when it comes to married couples, as there is a presumption that a child born to a married couple is the man’s legitimate heir, but unmarried fathers must establish paternity before they can seek the rights and responsibilities of a parent. This is typically done with a DNA test, assuming the parties are not in agreement.
Not all custody disputes are limited to divorce proceedings. When unmarried couples share a child and do not live together as a family, the courts will ultimately determine each party’s rights.
There are no presumptions when it comes to custody; neither parent is favored. Instead, a judge must make this determination based on what is best for the child. The courts must take into account many different factors, including the wishes of the child, any history of domestic abuse, and the financial resources available to each parent.
A family law attorney in Matthews might also be able to help families seeking to adopt. The requirements are fairly limited according to state law. A single individual or a married couple has the legal ability to adopt a child if they are over the age of 18. There are no financial requirements, and the law does not require a parent to own a home. That said, proving that prospective parents are fit to care for a juvenile can be challenging without the help of an attorney.
If you are facing a dispute with a loved one or the potential for a divorce, it is crucial for you to seek out legal counsel immediately. The sooner you talk to an attorney, the more likely you are to avoid missteps that could hurt your case. Call a Matthews family lawyer today to get started.
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