The Different Types of Cases That Fall Under Family Law

What comes to your mind when you think about “Family”? You mostly think of your parents, spouse, children, and other loved ones and your memories with them, right? Lawyers and courts aren’t generally the first things that pop up in your mind.

However, there are chances that you will need to resort to the law to resolve a family matter sooner or later. Based on your needs, you may hugely benefit from hiring the family law and divorce lawyers at Manassa Law P.C. and other top firms to bring an end to all your issues.

As you might expect, the field of family law covers any legal issues that incorporate family relationships. However, that definition might cover more than you can imagine. The field can cover cases from prenuptial and custody agreements to divorce and domestic violence issues.

To help you develop a better understanding, here we will discuss the different types of cases that come under family law.

1.Divorce/Marriage Dissolution Cases

In 2022, a total of 673,989 divorces and annulments occurred across 45 US states.

Divorce or marriage dissolution cases come under family law. It involves the legal termination of a marriage.

For a divorce filing to occur, one spouse needs to file a petition with the court, and the other spouse must be served with this petition. Legal help is important for divorce cases, as the complications are just too many to handle all by yourself.

2. Child Support Cases

Another case that comes under the jurisdiction of family law is a child support case. These cases are focused on making sure that children receive financial support from both parents following a separation or divorce.

The court decides the amount of support based on different aspects like each parent’s income, the needs of the child, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.

Additionally, child support payments are aimed to cover necessities like food, clothing, and housing, along with additional expenses like medical care and education.

3.Child Custody Cases

The issues of child custody can expand beyond the scope of divorce. In certain situations, older siblings or grandparents may file for the custody of a kid to remove them from a dangerous situation in the house. Irrespective of the circumstances, a child custody case comes under family law.

If a guardian, parent, or other party filing for custody can arrive at an agreement that’s in the best interest of the child, the court generally grants it. However, if they can’t, the court will step in and take the decision.

4.Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement indicates a written contract unmarried couples enter into before marrying each other. With the aid of family lawyers, they establish controls for the numerous legal rights that they will gain upon marriage and the division of possessions if the marriage eventually ends due to a death or a divorce.

5.Adoption

Adoption is perhaps one of the happiest kinds of cases that come under family law. Partners who desire to become adoptive parents ask the courts to approve their status as the parents of the child they want to adopt. In certain scenarios, stepparents may also seek to adopt a child if the biological father/mother is unfit, neglectful, or has had their paternity terminated.

6.Paternity

Paternity cases help in determining the legal father of a kid. This can hugely influence the child custody, visitation, and support arrangements. Establishing paternity can be quite straightforward if both parents agree, or it can also include complex procedures if there’s a dispute. Once the paternity is established, the father possesses the legal rights and responsibilities toward the child.

7.Domestic Violence

Family law also covers cases involving domestic violence where one family member is abusive towards another. Victims of domestic violence can also seek protection orders, popularly known as restraining orders, to prevent further abuse.

Domestic violence cases are sensitive and urgent, demanding prompt legal intervention to make sure of the safety and well-being of a victim.

Final Thoughts

Family law cases are complicated and emotional. Hence, it becomes imperative to seek quality guidance from an experienced and skilled family law attorney. The types of family law cases outlined in this post are the most common, but other kinds of family cases may demand legal action as well.

So, becoming well-versed in the different types of cases that come under family law and staying informed about your legal rights is crucial to navigating family law issues.