Divorce & Family Law

Effective, caring and affordable representation for you and your family.

Congratulations on taking one of the most important steps during this difficult time. Divorce and Family law is a complex area of law with many issues and factors involved and nothing is more important than knowing your rights. Our professional attorneys represent clients on all family law matters and are eager to help you with any of the following cases:

• Divorce
• Custody and Parenting Plans (Parental rights and responsibilities)
• Child Support
• Visitation (Parenting time)
• Guardianship
• Modification
• Relocation

Divorce and Family Law Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a divorce and legal separation?

A legal separation is when parties wish to separate but need the Court’s assistance in defining their rights and responsibly during their separation. A divorce addresses the rights and responsibilities of the parties from the point of divorce forward and concludes the marriage allowing both parties to remarry if they choose.

What are my rights as a parent?

As a parent, there are both rights and responsibilities involved with raising a child. While you and your child’s parent are together, the Courts will not interfere with how you raise you children unless there are allegations of abuse and neglect.

To get the Court’s attention, you must let them know there is a problem. The way to do this is to file a divorce or paternity action with the Court.

Both father’s and mothers have rights and responsibilities as to their children and the Courts are open to all forms of parenting arrangements as long as those parenting arrangements are in the best interest of your children.

What is the difference between a divorce and a paternity action?

A divorce addresses the issues in your marriage, which include financial issues such as bank accounts, real estate, cars and retirement accounts; as well as parenting issues if you and your spouse have children together.

A parenting action allows the Court to address your parenting issues even if you and your child’s parent were never legally married.

What is a Modification action?

Modification is a fancy word for change. After your case has ended, your family circumstances may change. You or your ex may lose a job or change jobs resulting in different income or you may wish to move to a different town or state. The Courts recognize that your family dynamics change and have provided a way to change the Court order for items and areas that are no longer working for your family. The Modification can be agreed to or contested. To see if your circumstances qualify for a modification, contact our office.

What is Child Support?

Both parents have the obligation to financially support their children. How much support is owed depends on the income of both parents and is determined by a formula set by the legislature. This can be one of the most misunderstood parts of a parenting action. There are a number of facts that can change the amount of child support. To discuss this matter, please contact our office.

What is Alimony and Spousal Support?

Alimony, or spousal support, is money paid by one party in a divorce to another party for that persons support and maintenance. The court looks at a number of factors to determine whether alimony is appropriate and how much alimony should be paid. Spousal support is very fact specific and depends on your circumstances. To discuss the different types of alimony, the factors, your potential alimony exposure or your whether you are entitled to alimony, please call to schedule an appointment.

What is a guardianship?

There can come a time in a child’s life when both parents are unable to care for the child. During those instances, a person can step up and ask that they be appointed guardian over the child. The goal of the guardianship is to secure for the child an environment of stability. To discuss guardianships in greater detail, please contact our office.

If you are a victim of Domestic Violence and Abuse, please contact one of the following hotlines to speak to a trained crisis professional.

• A Safe Place crisis center at 330-0214 or
• Sexual Assault Support Services at 1-888-747-7070

If you are in need of legal services in relation to a domestic violence situation, please feel free to call our office and schedule an appointment to speak to an attorney.

Disclaimer: This publication and the information included in it are not intended to serve as legal advice or a substitute for consultation with an attorney. Specific legal issues, concerns and conditions always require the advice of appropriate legal professionals