A family lawyer is an attorney who represents clients in legal issues focusing on family law.
Family law can encompass a variety of personal matters in court, including separations, child custody, prenuptial agreements, and even wills.
An attorney specializing in family law can provide legal representation and guidance for individuals and families when it comes to the following legal matters.
Divorce
An attorney practicing family law is the professional you’d need to assist in your divorce proceedings.
If you’re seeking an annulment of your marriage—in which the marriage is void and the courts treat it as if it never happened—a family attorney would be the person to help you in court.
Family lawyers also support clients seeking alimony or post-separation support from a spouse. In matters of separation and divorce, a family lawyer will help with distribution of property, or, deciding who gets what in terms of assets and debts.
Child Custody and Support
Family attorneys also handle matters regarding child custody and child support. If you and your partner are separating and can’t agree on child custody, a licensed family attorney can help.
These legal professionals also assist with child visitation rights. Even if one parent is awarded sole custody, the other will typically retain visitation rights in South Carolina unless that parent is deemed unfit to be around the child by a judge.
Separation Agreements
Family lawyers can draft a separation agreement for you and your spouse, which is different than a divorce.
A separation agreement outlines what will happen during the separation, such as how bills will be paid, who the children will stay with, and who will retain residence at your family home.
A separation agreement is ideal for couples who aren’t sure they want to divorce or couples who are considering a legal separation and want to outline terms for child custody and property division beforehand.
Civil No-Contact Cases
Civil no-contact cases are when you want to be protected from stalking or unwanted sexual conduct by someone you have no intimate relationship with and someone who is not a member of your family.
A family attorney can assist you with obtaining a civil no-contact order, which is essentially a restraining order for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse or assault.
Domestic Violence
If you’ve experienced domestic violence, which is defined as any violent behavior within a home, there are forms of protection a family attorney can help you attain in court, including civil no-contact orders.
Most family attorneys are experienced in handling domestic violence cases, including ones that pertain to separations, divorce, and child custody.
Hiring a Family Lawyer in SC
Whether you’re thinking about getting a divorce or need help with child custody, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced family lawyer in your area.
If you need legal representation in a family law matter in South Carolina, contact us at Harden Law to schedule a consultation at (803) 820-0048. Our compassionate and experienced attorneys are here to help!
