There is a diverse range of legal duties that a family lawyer performs. With the many family issues and conflicts that call for unbiased insights and opinions from professionals, a family lawyer plays a major role. Divorce, child custody, guardianship, and inheritance disputes are among the cases that the lawyer handles. Divorce is the most common and where the services of the legal professional become crucial. A family lawyer plays the following roles in a divorce case.
Facilitates Annulment
The basic role that a family lawyer plays in the event of a divorce is facilitating annulment. This is where a husband and wife decide to break up. Annulment renders the marriage bond between the spouses zero as soon as they sign the legal document. While facilitating the annulment is a legal role that the lawyer plays in most cases, it has adverse emotional effects on the couple and their family. The lawyer must facilitate the process and ensure that it is successful without drama or further legal implications.
Appeal On Behalf Of a Client
In the event of a divorce and as the client, you are not satisfied with the verdict from the court or there were mistakes in the legal proceedings, it is the role of the family lawyer to guide and enable you to file for an appeal. As much as the appeal process is time-sensitive, there are circumstances where going through with it serves your interests. Your family lawyer should explain to you the possible scenario if the court accepts or denies the appeal. The different domains of the law can be hectic and overwhelming for a client with less information and knowledge to appeal to. This is why having a reputable family lawyer becomes instrumental.
Oversees Spouse Support and Alimony
Alimony is the support a spouse receives from the court while the divorce proceedings are ongoing and until the couple knows the final verdict. While the effects of alimony last for a certain period, it is vital as it enables a divorced spouse to regain energy and stand on their feet and in life again. Divorce can take a big toll on the welfare, physical and mental health of a spouse. This is especially for a spouse who has not worked for years or has a chronic illness. A family lawyer oversees the alimony and support that the spouse needs until when the court will give a different verdict.
Handles Child Support Disputes
The provision of child support is a source of arguments to many divorced couples. The decision to divorce is among the adults. However, the children in the family are usually caught up in the fight making their lives difficult in the long run. If it is the verdict of the court for either party to provide child support – depending on the side that wins the child custody case – the family lawyer has a role in ensuring that the couple adheres to the court’s decisions and orders.
Representation in Court
One of the main reasons to look for a lawyer is to get effective representation in the court of law. This is also among the major roles that your divorce lawyer will play in your case. Once the decision to divorce is in effect and the court proceedings are ongoing, your lawyer should offer the right representation unless or until the court requires your presence. The family lawyer has a responsibility to serve you papers and other documents on your divorce case to enable easy and smooth handling of the process.
The last thing that a married couple expects is getting a divorce. It is a prayer of every couple to have a long-lasting relationship that will result in a peaceful family. However, some circumstances can compel a couple to consider divorce. In such a case, the next step is looking for a family lawyer who plays different roles until when the court gives out the final verdict and closes the case.