What Services Are Provided by a Family Law Attorney? By Debra Sutton on April 24, 2022

Life is full of ups and downs that can sometimes throw families into disputes or other predicaments they may not be able to resolve without the help of an attorney. Family law is complex and covers a wide range of issues such as divorce, child custody, wills and estates, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. It can include decisions for special needs children. There can be family business issues between the married couple or among the family, including siblings or parents of one or both spouses.

At Sutton Law Firm, our family law attorneys provide legal services to clients in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, Bartow, FL, and surrounding areas. The Firm is led by Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorney, Debra Sutton. The Sutton Law Firm attorneys provide legal counsel tailored to each client’s unique needs to help resolve family law matters while protecting their client’s best interests.

How Can a Family Law Attorney Help?

Family law attorneys provide many services to those with legal issues related to family matters. With a awell-developed understanding and substantial experience in areas of law impacting families, family law attorneys can help quickly resolve legal matters in a way that protects the interests of the family members they represent.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some services provided by family law attorneys and how they can help you.

Divorce

Divorce is not only emotionally difficult for those involved, it can also be complicated dividing property and crafting agreements on other legal matters. Our family law attorneys provide guidance, knowledge, and legal support to help couples in divorce divide their property and settle other legal issues.

Child Custody Agreements

When couples who share children divorce or separate, determining timesharing and how they will parent their children going forward is of utmost importance. Our family law attorneys can help parents establish a Parenting Plan and timesharing agreement that is fair and in the best interests of their children. Our attorneys can also be of assistance in seeking to amend and update prior child custody agreements when family conditions change.

Guardianship

Guardianship is when someone other than a child’s parent is given custody of the child, is appointed to manage the child’s property, or both. This is seen when the child's parents are deceased, or are unable or unwiling to continue to care for the child. It is also used in circumstances where the parties have a child that is disabled, but is an adult by chronological age.

When someone is seeking guardianship over a child, a family law attorney can help establish a guardian advocate or a traditional guardian over any assets of the child, and also related to the day-to-day care of the child. Depending on the needs of the child, and whether there is an agreement or contest on what the needs are and who should be permitted to address them, this can be a complicated process.

Prenuptial Agreements

Prior to marriage or a civil union, some couples may want to sign a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement is a contract to establish who owns what before a marriage and how property will be divided in the event of the relationship anticipated ends. These agreements can be used to determine how individuals will divide or treat not only non-marital property but also traditional marital property. These type of agreements are particularly useful for anticipated marriages where the parties have assets and children from a prior relationship. The agreements assist in managing expectations early on.

Family law attorneys can help draft a prenuptial agreement. In the midst of a divorce proceeding, an experienced family law attorney can also assist with enforcement of a prenuptial agreement or, where circumstances of the initial agreement warrant it, to challenge the validity or extent of the application of a prenuptial agreements .

Wills and Estates

Family law attorneys can also help draft wills, establish trusts, recommend a plan regarding not only the death of a party, but also that which would be required in the event of the incapacity of a party. This process allows a person to state whom they wish their property to be handled by and ultimately distributed to upon death.

In addition to drafting wills, family law attorneys can preside over an estate and assisst a trustee to make sure that the property is administered per the will and the wishes of the deceased.

Representation in Court

When family matters cannot be settled, it may be necessary to take the matter to court. Our family law attorneys provide representation to clients facing litigation before the trial court. Our attorneys also assist if there is an adverse order that may require reconsideration, rehearing or review by the appellate court.

Choosing a family law attorney is important when dealing with the courts. The failure to select an experienced attorney to protect your interests and those of your family, can be fatal. Selected a qualified family law attorney is essential to navigating the complexities of family law.