Our Family Lawyers Practice Listening
If you're looking for a family lawyer near you, working with one who is well-versed in Pennsylvania family law is essential. And that's important because laws vary by state. Our family lawyers serve clients in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, so they bring knowledge about Commonwealth laws to the table.
Our lawyers know that every family law matter is different. More importantly, they know that you're likely feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. So, our family lawyers start by listening and understanding your feelings.
Then, they apply the law only after addressing your needs as an individual.
What is Family Law?
Family law practice focuses on issues involving family relationships, including marriage, adoption, divorce, child custody, and numerous other concerns. Family lawyers can represent you in court proceedings or related negotiations. They can also draft important legal documents such as court petitions or property agreements.
Some family law attorneys specialize in divorce and effectively become divorce lawyers. However, others specialize in adoption, custody, paternity, or other areas.
That's why our family law firm can offer legal advice in family matters in numerous ways. Here are some of the ways we can help:
- Marital Agreements
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Child Support
- Custody
- Divorce
- Protection from Abuse Orders
- Spousal Support
- Same-Sex Marriage and Divorce
And, as mentioned, our family lawyers understand Pennsylvania laws. That's essential because divorce laws in Pennsylvania may differ from those in New York. You can find a comprehensive overview of Pennsylvania family laws here.
Typical Relationship Concerns Requiring a Family Lawyer
Relationships can be good or bad. Unfortunately, things can get out of hand when they're bad, resulting in a legal issue. Fortunately, our family lawyers have the experience to know when to settle and when to litigate. After all, no one wants to end up in family court if possible.
Some common cases involving family law issues include:
Divorce
In Pennsylvania, you must reside here for at least six months before filing for divorce. With that requirement met, you can file within the county where you or your spouse resides.
Divorce presents challenges and may take months or even years to complete. An uncontested divorce may take 90 days versus a heavily contested divorce that takes years.
Challenges become more complex with larger estates having concerns about property division, not to mention custody and support concerns. However, a family law attorney or divorce lawyer can support you. They may even recommend alternative dispute resolution involving mediation or arbitration to avoid a lengthy and costly legal battle.
If you are contemplating divorce, here are two helpful resources. The first is a comprehensive guide offering divorce guidance. The second is a divorce checklist to make sure you cover your bases.
Marital Agreements
Family law attorneys can guide and support you on various marital agreements involving cohabitation, premarital agreements, postnuptial agreements, separation agreements, and more.
For example, a premarital agreement serves you well if there's a steep imbalance of assets between spouses. It's also a plus if you have dependents from a previous marriage. A family lawyer can draft an agreement to protect your assets.
Domestic Partnerships
A domestic partnership recognizes two people living together who are not married. The legalities of these civil unions vary from those of married couples from state to state. As a result, domestic partnerships present legal compliance, requirements, and jurisdiction concerns like marriage. But a family lawyer can help guide you through those complexities.
Common Child-Related Issues Where a Family Lawyer Can Help
The last thing any parent wants is to push marital concerns on their children. Unfortunately, sometimes, you can't avoid it, requiring the support of a family lawyer to orchestrate a resolution. Here are some common issues where that's the case:
Custody
It can involve third-party custody, relocation, adoption, gestational surrogacy, etc. So, a family law attorney or custody lawyer is essential in helping you wade through the complexities. For example, battles can ensue between parents over a divorce and child custody or child support. Moreover, the state can take your child if it suspects abuse, negligence, or inability to support the child.
Here are some tips for helping your custody case in PA.
Child Support
The parent receiving support depends on each party's income and the custody schedule of their children. Support is always open to changes based on circumstances relating to revenues and parent schedules.
Here are some commonly asked questions involving child support in Pennsylvania.
Adoption
Adoption is a complex process that differs according to the type of adoption. Factors include where the child is from, variances in state laws, and more. So, it's essential to consult with a family law attorney. Foster parents sometimes adopt their foster children, but the foster process does not necessarily require legal representation.
It's important to note that family law cases often intersect with other legal services. For instance, issues may require estate planning, litigation, real estate, and immigration law. And that's where it pays to have a full-service law firm like High Swartz. We have attorneys with varied practice experience who can help you with legal services.
Talk to a Family Lawyer Near You
Whether you need a family law attorney depends on several factors specific to your case. Consequently, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
For example, few couples need a lawyer to get married, barring a marital agreement. However, a family lawyer may be necessary if a pre- or postnuptial agreement is involved. For other matters like divorce, custody, and child support, it's best to consult a family lawyer near you.
Call our law offices when you need experienced family lawyers in Bucks, Delaware, or Montgomery County, PA. They understand they're working with people facing an emotional situation, so their first focus is on you. Call an attorney in our Norristown, Wayne, or Doylestown law offices today.
