Middlesex County Family Lawyer
Family lawyers cover various legal areas, including divorce, custody, child support, and adoption. Family legal matters can be complex and extremely emotional for the parties involved, so having a compassionate attorney by your side to assist you with addressing these proceedings could be beneficial.
If you are facing any type of family law issue, you should contact a Middlesex County family lawyer right away. A skilled attorney in Middlesex County could help you navigate the legal process and fight for your desired outcome in your case.
How Family Lawyers Handle Divorce Cases
When couples choose to divorce, they will have to divide assets, and possibly determine spousal support, child support, visitation, and custody.
With regard to the division of assets, courts seek to divide property in a fair and equitable manner, which does not necessarily mean evenly. There are numerous factors that a judge will consider when dividing a couple’s marital assets.
If the parties share children, the court must make a decision pertaining to both legal and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the rights that parents will have to make major decisions regarding their child’s care and upbringing, such as education, medical care, and religious customs. Physical custody refers to the residence in which the children will ultimately reside. In many cases, the parties will share both forms of custody. However, under certain circumstances, a parent may be awarded sole custody of their children.
While child support is an issue in cases where the individuals have children, sometimes a court will order a party to pay spousal support, also known as alimony, to their former partner. A Middlesex County family law attorney could help an individual resolve all of these important matters.
Unmarried Parents and Custody
Parents who are not married may also experience difficulty when determining the custody of their children. For instance, if an unmarried father wants to spend time with his children, he may have to seek the help of the court. In some cases, the court cannot render a custody determination until the issue of paternity is established.
As with married couples, unmarried parents also must also address issues surrounding child support. The court will determine an appropriate child support amount after examining several factors.
Though family matters such as these can seem both complicated and overwhelming, a Middlesex County lawyer could help a person safeguard their legal rights and interests, and answer all of their important questions.
Non-Parental Custody
In most cases, the biological or adoptive parents will have custody of a child. However, there are situations in which parents are unwilling or unable to care for their children, such as when they are abusing drugs, engaging in criminal activities, or are abusive to their children.
Non-parental custody cases often involve family members. For example, grandparents may serve as default parents for a child and might even seek custody if the circumstances warrant.
Cases involving non-parent guardians seeking custody will involve a detailed analysis by the court. The court’s goal is to achieve an agreement that meets the best interests of the children.
Hire a Skilled Middlesex County Family Attorney for Help
When it comes to legal issues that impact a family, it can be vital to find skilled legal assistance as early in the case as possible. Hiring an attorney could allow you to learn more about your legal rights and options. If you are facing a custody dispute, child support issue, adoption, or any other type of family law issue, contact a Middlesex County family lawyer today to schedule your consultation.