Family Law Information Center

Welcome to our Family Law Information Center. Here, you can find basic information about a number of family law issues as they may relate to you and your family. From divorce to adoption to prenuptial agreements, this information center enables you to review information in laymen's terms so you can get a better understanding of family law as a whole. Armed with this basic knowledge, you will be better prepared to make the right choices about your case.

For more information on a specific topic, please review the following brief descriptions or click on the links included below:

Adoption
Adopting a child is one of the most selfless acts you may ever perform. You will forever change your life and the life of the child in unimaginable ways. Unfortunately, adoption is also a complex legal undertaking. Having an attorney to guide you through can make all the difference in the speed and success with which you are able to meet your adoption goals. Read more about adoption.

Child Custody
One of the most commonly disputed areas of family law, child custody concerns the legal arrangement for the upbringing of a child. A custody agreement or court order will dictate where a child lives and who will make key decisions about raising a child. It is generally one of the most difficult areas of a divorce or separation. Read more about child custody.

Child Support
When parents divorce or are unmarried, a child support arrangement may need to be worked out in order to ensure the child is properly cared for. Generally speaking, both parents are responsible for financially supporting a child, and child support payments will be calculated based upon the respective income of the parents, the child's needs and other factors. Read more about child support.

Divorce
The legal process of ending a marriage is one of the most complex areas of family law. Spouses will need to deal with sensitive issues related to child custody and support, spousal support and the division of property. Working with a competent lawyer is one of the best ways to ensure a divorce goes as smoothly as possible and comes to an advantageous conclusion. Read more about divorce.

Domestic Violence
Domestic violence, also referred to as domestic abuse or domestic battery, involves any form of violence or ill treatment between spouses, family members, people in a relationship or people who are living together. This is one of the most difficult and important areas of family law, particularly as it concerns the safety of the parties involved. Read more about domestic violence.

Fathers' Rights
Although most states have adopted the principle that mothers and fathers should have equal rights and responsibilities when it comes to their children, some fathers may still find that their rights are in jeopardy in the face of a divorce or child custody matter. A family lawyer can work to protect a father's rights to the fullest extent. Read more about fathers' rights.

Grandparents' Rights
A somewhat new concept, grandparents' rights typically relates to situations where a grandparent or grandparents seek visitation or even custody of a child following a divorce, the death of a parent or a situation where a parent is unfit to raise a child. In some scenarios, a court of law may find that a grandparent has a right to maintain a meaningful relationship with their grandchild through visitation. Read more about grandparents' rights.

Prenuptial Agreements
Though once considered taboo, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common throughout the U.S. With high rates of remarriage or marriage later in life, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements have proven valuable tools to preserve assets and property and make preplanned arrangements in the event of a divorce or the death of a spouse. Read more about prenuptial agreements.

Property Division
When a married couple decides to divorce or legally separate, they must divide up their property. This can be a complicated aspect of any divorce and is best addressed with the assistance of an attorney who can properly advise one on what property may be affected, how debt should be addressed, who will stay in the family home, and much more. Read more about property division.

Spousal Support / Alimony
Though every state has different laws pertaining to spousal support (often called spousal maintenance or alimony), the general concept is to provide financial support to a dependant spouse in the event of a divorce or separation. The duration and amount of spousal support that one spouse may need to pay to the other will vary depending on the specific circumstances at hand. Read more about spousal support/alimony.

State Bar Associations
In seeking the services of a family lawyer, you may find it helpful to visit the website of your local State Bar Association. You can review the record of the attorney and may also find other helpful information at these websites. Click here for a list of State Bar Association websites.

We are always adding more information, news and additional topics, so please feel free to review the list of links listed to the right of the page as well as our Legal News section, our Family Law Attorney Blog, our Attorney Videos and our Press Releases.

To find a family law attorney in your area, click here.