Family Law encompasses domestic issues from divorce to child custody disputes. If you have a question about family law, look no further. Here on the award-winning FreeAdvice site, we provide legal advice and information regarding marriage, divorce, child support, child custody, domestic violence, adoption and more.
Family Law is the body of law that governs domestic issues. The specifics of the law will vary depending on the situation, but generally the aim is to protect each individual’s rights within the context of family. For instance, divorce law will address how property is divided and who will pay spousal support when a married couple separates, while child custody law will help determine what is in the best interest of a child when parents separate. Family-related legal issues can also apply to non-married couples, same-sex couples and other domestic partnerships wherein a legal relationship is established. Domestic violence is another aspect of family law, but one that goes beyond the rest. Domestic violence can have very serious impacts on a victim or victims, but can also subsequently affect other family-related issues such as divorce or child custody, for this reason it will often fall under the umbrella of family law. However, given the violence involved, it can also be considered a criminal offense and thus a matter of criminal law.
Generally, however, family law matters will be dealt with in one of three ways. When it comes to child custody or child support disputes, the most favorable option is for two parents to settle the matter out-of-court and amicably. When this is not possible, the matter will be settled in what is known as Family Court; and a third option is mediation, where couples can handle their disputes with the help of a mediator in order to avoid the stress of court.
To learn more about the different types of law governing family matters, and for tips on when and how to hire a family law attorney, see the articles and answers to frequently asked questions in this section of FreeAdvice.
Family Law contains: 510 Articles, 202 FAQs, 10 Attorney Interviews, 9 Videos
Child Custody Petition: Getting Temporary Custody Before a Divorce Is Finalized
When you file for divorce, your biggest concern is likely to be your children. You might wonder who they will live with, or worry about how often you’ll see them. To put your … watch video
filed under: Child CustodyQuestion: After you fire a divorce lawyer, what are the steps to go pro se?
Details: How do you know when or if they withdrew? My lawyer wont communicate. Read Entire Question and Answer
Question: If my spouse and I have been legally separated for over a year and I have now filed a motion to convert our separation to a divorce, what happens at the final hearing?
Details: My spouse does not want a divorce; over a year ago I agreed to a legal separation. I now want a divorce. I filed a motion and now we have a hearing scheduled. What … Read Entire Question and Answer
