Arlington Family Lawyer
There are few bonds in life as precious as those that come from families, but if you are having any type of familial disputes, an Arlington family lawyer may be of help to you. While family is the most important aspect in the lives of the majority of people, things do not always go as planned. As a result, familial disputes and major life transitions affecting families can be uniquely stressful events.
At times, due to the unique circumstances that families may potentially face, it becomes necessary to consult with a family law attorney about transitions like adoption, divorce, and guardianship. Similarly, it may become necessary to speak with an attorney about disputes involving child custody, child support, and similar parental challenges. If you are struggling as a result of a family transition or dispute and are in need of legal guidance, know that your situation is common and that you are not alone. Many families find themselves in needs of legal assistance from time to time.
Thankfully, if you are in need of a well-experienced Arlington family lawyer, you can contact Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC where they can resolve a wide range of family law areas. The family lawyers can handle anything from paternity to legal separations, and you can count on working with a well-trained team who can understand your frustrations and work for the best possible outcome for you.
The Ins and Outs of Family Legal Matters
Although there are exceptions to this rule, there are three primary kinds of family legal matters.
Administrative Issues. Administrative issues are fairly straightforward and generally involve filing paperwork with the state. This is something an Arlington family lawyer can help you with. Obtaining a name change and formalizing uncontested paternity results are examples of administrative family legal matters.
Mediation. Relatively amicable family legal matters are more complex but can often be resolved through mediation and/or attorney-led negotiation. When spouses divorce and are willing to compromise with each other, they may benefit from one of these approaches to their marital dissolution. Similarly, relatively straightforward child custody, child support, and guardianship issues fall into this category.
Judicial Intervention. Contentious family legal matters can generally only be resolved through judicial intervention. Divorces and child custody cases impacted by fundamental differences between the parties are considered contentious. Similarly, certain domestic violence issues can only be resolved in a courtroom setting, as they are neither administrative nor are they appropriate for a mediation/negotiation approach.
No matter what kind of family legal matter you are currently facing, chances are that you could benefit from seeking legal guidance from a family lawyer Arlington, Texas trusts. It is important not to rush into a decision to represent yourself in a family legal matter, as the consequences of an inexperienced approach can be life-altering in the most negative sense of the word.
Divorce
Divorce is a hard time for both the spouses and the children. Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC can handle every aspect of your divorce including, child custody, child visitation, and child support. Following the finalization of the divorce, these skillful lawyers can fight to make sure that the child support is being paid and the visitation agreements are being followed. These attorneys feel that a divorce is better handled through the process of mediation where the parties will meet with a neutral third party to work and come to an agreement without having to go to court and let the decision be up to a judge.
If you are not sure that you want a divorce, but you feel that you and your partner need some time apart, then you can work with an Arlington family lawyer at Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC who can arrange a legal separation. A legal separation clarifies the responsibilities that will be held by each spouse during the period they remain separated. If the couple has children, child custody and child support will be decided on for the legal separation. Sometimes, a couple that wishes to get a legal separation does not intend on ever ending their separation, but might find it more beneficial financially to continue their marriage.
The Arlington family lawyer at Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC can handle your prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Prenuptial agreements define assets that belong to each of the parties who are getting married. Prenuptial agreements are also a good idea for people who have children and financial responsibilities from a past marriage. This way, you can protect your assets so that your children will still be able to inherit them in the case of a divorce. Postnuptial agreements are similar, except that this document is drafted when a couple is already married.
How an Arlington Family Lawyer Can Help With Your Prenuptial Agreement
At one time, only the rich and famous considered putting together prenuptial agreements before walking down the aisle, but even then, there was often resistance because it was felt that having a prenup in place meant you had no faith the marriage would work out. However, in recent years, the role of prenuptial agreements has evolved, and many couples make sure they contact a family lawyer for their prenups before living happily ever after.
The following are some of the most common reasons why a couple should consider getting a prenuptial agreement. To find out more detail on how a prenup can work in your situation, contact a family lawyer from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC today.
One or Both Spouses Have Been Previously Married: One of the most common reasons why a couple will contact a family lawyer in Arlington, Texas for a prenuptial agreement is because either one or both of them have been married before. They are aware what the divorce process can entail and how it can often negatively impact a person’s finances. Having a prenuptial agreement in place offers security in knowing exactly how your life would be impacted if a divorce should happen.
One or Both Spouses Have Children from Prior Relationships: Another common reason why a couple will get a prenup is because one or both of them have children from prior relationships or marriages. Prenups can help ensure that your children’s future inheritance would be protected in case of a divorce. For example, if one spouse is bringing much more financial security to the marriage and they have children, a prenup would protect their finances in case the marriage does not work out.
One or Both Spouses Own a Business or Property: When one or both spouses already own property and/or own their own business, it is important to protect those assets in the event the marriage breaks down. A prenup can have clauses in which the couple agrees that these assets are not part of the marital estate.
One of the Spouses Has Significant Wealth: If one of the spouses has much more money than the other, it is critical to protect those assets in the event the couple divorces. Otherwise, the other spouse could end up with half of the wealthier spouse’s assets.
One of the Spouses Has Significant Debt: Just as a spouse needs to protect themselves if they have more wealth, a spouse also needs to protect themselves if they are marrying someone with significant debt (regardless of their own financial standing). A prenuptial agreement can specify which spouse the debt belongs to and who will be legally responsible if they split up.
A postnuptial agreement might make sense if a family business was started and you want to outline exactly how much of the business each spouse is entitled to in the event of a divorce. This can also be beneficial if one party finds they are in significant debt and they wish to protect their spouse from creditors. A postnuptial agreement can define what is community property and what is separate property so that time and money is saved in the event of a death or divorce.
Family law can also be used for joyful moments in life, like adoptions. Learn about the Types of Adoptions.
An Arlington family lawyer the community trusts can assist you with this, as well. Stepparent adoptions occur when a stepparent to a child wishes to legally adopt the child and become his or her legal guardian. In order for them to be able to adopt the child, the biological parent needs to surrender all parental rights, or they can be terminated. In order to terminate a biological parent’s rights, they need to be able to prove that the termination is necessary due to the parent being unfit or neglecting the child.
Relative adoptions are when a relative like a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or older sibling adopt a child following the death of a parent or if the parent is no longer able to provide for them. A lawyer still needs to prove that the adoptive parent is fit to parent the child and the judge will always rule in the best interest of the child. In domestic adoptions, lawyers assist with finalizing adoption, helping birth parents surrender their legal rights, and drafting the legal documents necessary to modify a birth certificate to reflect the new parents and if the child was given a new name.
A Family Law Firm to Help Enforce Court Orders
In the event of your ex-spouse failing to adhere to his or her court orders, or obligations, following a divorce, it may be a good idea to talk with an Arlington family lawyer about what you should do next. In general, if your ex is ignoring their duties, you may have to ask the court to enforce them; otherwise, consequences may result. Although this might seem like something you don’t necessarily want to do, or may come with financial concerns, sometimes this is the only option. If you would like to know more about enforcing court orders, please call an Arlington family lawyer now.
Enforcing Court Orders After Getting a Divorce
As a family lawyer, we at Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC, understand how challenging, and emotionally tiresome, a divorce can be. Once things are finalized you may be ready to move on with your life. However, what happens when your ex-spouse fails to live up to their side of the agreement? Sadly, this is very common. In fact, between 40 and 50 percent of divorce agreements will be short lived. Whether it’s related to the custody of your children, child support, alimony, assets, or other matters, when an agreement falls through, and your ex is no longer cooperating with you, turning to an Arlington family lawyer from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC, may be the right choice.
In general, the Arlington, Texas Family Court has the right to enforce court orders that had been agreed to by the parties, but are no longer in good standing. Bare in mind that the agreement should have been noted in an official legal document. If you and your ex agreed to something over dinner, for example, but it was never made official, it will almost certainly not uphold in a court of law.
Issues That May Be Enforced By the Court
- Child custody
- Child visitation
- Child support
- Spousal maintenance/ alimony
- Division of assets
- Restraining orders
To enforce an agreement, the party who neglected the order must first be found in contempt. In other words, they knew they were neglecting the order, even willfully, but did so anyway. If this is true, and they continue to neglect their responsibilities, a judge may penalize the party through fines, wage garnishment, jail time, and more. If a judge believes the party was unclear about his or her obligations, it may be possible for the court to make them more clear and understandable; afterwhich, they may have another opportunity to adhere to them.
Resolve Your Issue and Have Your Orders Enforced with Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC
It may be incredibly frustrating to have to deal with an ex who is not holding up to their side of the agreement. Whether you’re ready to turn to the court for help, or would like to know if there is another, out of court option, you can call an Arlington family lawyer from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. We will help you to understand the best, legal routes to navigate in a timely, and cost effective manner. For a consultation with a family lawyer in Arlington, Texas call Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC
Legal Assistance Is Available
If you are grappling with a family legal transition like divorce or adoption, if you are struggling as a result of a family legal dispute involving child custody, or you simply have questions about a legal issue affecting your family, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with our firm. Almost all communications between attorneys and their clients are confidential, so you should not feel apprehensive about asking questions and voicing your concerns. Once we understand the basics of your unique situation, we will be able to advise you of your options and help to provide you with experienced guidance and support.
Family legal matters can be uniquely stressful, precisely because they are deeply personal. Thankfully, you do not have to navigate the stresses associated with family legal challenges alone. Our attorneys are here to offer you experienced and compassionate assistance. Please consider connecting with our firm today. No matter what kind of family law situation you are dealing with, the Arlington family lawyer at Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC can assist you. Whether you are starting a new beginning by getting a divorce, protecting your future finances with a prenuptial agreement, or growing your family through adoption, the trusted Arlington family lawyer can represent you in all of your endeavors.
