Family lawyers, once termed “divorce lawyers” or “matrimonial lawyers”, is the current term used for attorneys who specialize in family matters.
A family attorney can help protect your interests in a variety of situations pertaining primarily to your marriage and children.
There are many family law attorneys in Houston who can represent you in legal proceedings related to marriage, divorce, child support, and adoptions.
8 Situations to Hire Family Law Attorneys in Houston
1. Divorce
The most common issue a family lawyer is called upon to address is divorce.
A family law attorney’s expertise is a must to handle the many aspects of marriage dissolution, including division of property, child custody, child support, and visitation rights.
Additionally, hiring a family law attorney is essential for handling the divorce proceedings, especially in the event that your case cannot be settled out of court.
A family law attorney can also help with any disputes regarding your children (including child custody, child support, and visitation rights) after a divorce has been finalized.
For example, if your ex-spouse is not complying with the court-ordered child support payments, a family law attorney can represent your case.
2. Guardianship
When a parent or parents are not able to offer their children adequate care, the expertise of a family law attorney is required to appoint an appropriate guardian who can make informed decisions regarding the child.
In Texas, many guardianship cases are concerning incapacitated adults (i.e. adults who are substantially unstable due to a mental or physical condition).
Family law attorneys in Houston, TX are required to create any guardianship relationship.
3. Domestic Abuse
In the unfortunate event that you are experiencing domestic abuse, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse (and more), a family law attorney can help you to seek an order for protection (commonly called a restraining order) from your abuser.
Additionally, they can help you to navigate your legal options in regards to child custody and child support, which can be further complicated by domestic violence.
4. Adoption
If you are seeking to establish legal parentage of a minor, whether as an individual or a couple, a family law attorney is required to facilitate the adoption process.
In addition, a family law attorney can also help to represent you in the event that you are pregnant and looking to find adoptive parents for the unborn child.
5. Filing Important Documents
Any legal document that affects the care of your children, the family business, or other family matters should be handled with a family law attorney present.
A family law attorney can help you to process and file any and all important family documents.
For example, The Power of Attorney (POA), which permits another person to act on your behalf in the event of sickness or old age, is an important legal document that a family law attorney can help process.
6. Writing Wills and Estate Plans
One of the most important documents that can impact your family is your last will and testament.
When drafting your will and any estate plans, it’s important to hire a family law attorney to authenticate your documents.
A family law attorney can offer you legal advice and ensure your will is followed as intended.
The attorney can also act as a mediator in the event of conflict when it comes time for the last will and estate plans to be enacted.
7. Establishing a Domestic Partnership
For many reasons, some couples may choose to form a legal relationship without a formal marriage.
Some Texas counties allow couples to file a domestic partnership agreement. This legal document describes the legal rights and responsibilities between two individuals in a long-term relationship.
Filing a domestic partnership agreement with the help of a family law attorney can allow you to grant insurance to your partner, as well as other benefits.
Even though a domestic partnership agreement is not a marriage, it is a legal agreement that requires legal assistance both in its formation and dissolution.
8. Paternity
When a child is born out of wedlock, sometimes issues can arise between the parents of the child.
Family law attorneys can offer their expertise in cases of establishing legal paternity, as well as represent the rights of a father, and assist with the issues of child support, child custody, and visitation.
These are just a few of the instances in which a family law attorney can be of service.
Some other common situations in which you should hire a family law attorney include property damage, land disputes, violations of human rights, and physical harm.
There are some situations in which you are required to have an attorney, but you can also choose to hire a family law attorney anytime you need their services to protect the interests of your family.