When Should You Speak With A Family Lawyer?
Posted on: 21 August 2023
The notion that you need to talk to a family lawyer can sound drastic. However, plenty of situations call for the support of a family law lawyer. Knowing when to seek counsel can defuse family situations and mitigate legal difficulties. You should contact a lawyer in these four family law scenarios.
Legally Complex or Unclear Circumstances
Family problems can be complex. Adding legal issues to the mix rarely simplifies those problems. If you're dealing with a complex situation in family law, you will be wise to consult with a lawyer. For example, you might be dealing with questions that aren't clearly resolved in case law. Without a broadly accepted answer regarding what to do, you may need to have a family lawyer argue your case before a court.
Jurisdictional issues also call for counsel. Some cases cross political boundaries, and there may be questions about where you can even adjudicate them. This only gets more complex in situations involving dual sovereignty, particularly cases involving tribal courts.
Heightened Emotional Stakes
Some folks don't handle the emotional component of family law well. This is understandable. No one wants family matters to end up in court or even in a legal negotiation.
Fortunately, you can use your family law lawyer to shield you and your family members from the emotional blowback. Suppose you're dealing with a former partner in a child custody matter. They make every discussion extremely emotional and threatening. If you can't handle that interaction, there isn't anything wrong with telling them to take it up with your lawyer. Some parties just need to only talk to each other through counsel because the emotional stakes are too high.
Formal Agreements
People often assume family law means contentiousness. However, there are plenty of non-contentious issues that still require formal agreements. Suppose a parent intends to transfer custody of their child to the kid's grandparents. Many people make the mistake of doing this informally. Without a formal agreement, though, the grandparents may face challenges when they enroll the kid in school, have to get the child medical care, or need to deal with the courts. Setting up a formal custody document can head off possible future difficulties even in cases where everyone is comfortable with the agreement.
Changing Situations
Family law issues rarely remain static. Kids get older. Families move. People change jobs. As those circumstances change, the previous agreements and rulings might no longer work. You may need to modify an agreement with another party or even through the courts. Before you make changes, have a family lawyer review them.
For more information, contact a family lawyer near you.
Share