The Various Services Offered by a Family Law Firm

Law is an extremely complex field that is divided into numerous areas; we have corporate law, commercial law, criminal law, maritime law and family law, the latter we outline in this short article.

A family law firm would offer the following services:

Divorce & separation – When a relationship ends, both parties must come to an agreement over how joint assets are to be divided. Often, this is straightforward and both parties come to an agreement, yet there are times when conflict arises and that is when you need to engage the services of an experienced family solicitor, a legal professional who has your best interests at heart. He or she would strive to achieve a favourable outcome for their client.
Writing a will – Every Australian adult should write a Last Will & Testament and such a document needs to be written using clear and concise language. The will also must be signed and witnessed according to Australian law and once done, the will cannot be changed without your express permission; it is a legal document.
Child adoption – When a couple wish to adopt a child, the authorities screen the couple and the application process is complex; you need the help of an experienced family lawyer who can guide you through the process and help you achieve a favourable outcome.
Contesting a will – It is sometimes the case when a family member is unhappy with the will of a deceased family member and if they have good cause, a family lawyer can represent them in a family court. Of course, you would need tangible evidence, such as a handwritten letter or a witness to a conversation and the family court would hear the evidence and make a judgement.
Domestic violence – If you are the victim of domestic violence, you can contact a family lawyer who can apply to a court for a protection order. Such a legal professional would have a 24-hour hotline to help in emergency situations.
Child support/visitation rights – When a couple with children separate or divorce, child support and custody rights are often in dispute and in such cases, a family court would make a judgement that both parties must adhere to. If your ex-partner is not supporting you financially, you can approach a family lawyer to make an application to a court for a support order.
Pre-nuptial agreement – Known simply as a prenup, this is a written agreement between two people who are about to enter into a relationship and it details clearly what assets are shared and what assets are not included. If you have significant wealth, it is important to protect said assets and it has become normal for couples to draw up such a document. Here are a few tips for couples planning to get married.