Family Legal Help

Family law encompasses many legal areas that touch people's lives.

This section contains a brief overview of how an attorney can provide legal services and legal aid to you and your family when making some of life's most significant decisions.

Use the links below to find topics of interest, or keep reading to learn more about legal help available for family law cases:

Since emotions are high in many family law cases, family law attorneys can be very helpful in assisting you through any legal obstacles.

Family law attorneys can help you complete and file court forms, negotiate between parties, provide helpful legal advice, and research the applicable laws in your state. They will help represent and advocate for you in family court. They will help interpret court orders and guide you through the legal process.

Family Law Practice Areas

Family law attorneys cover various legal topics that touch the family unit. While issues may be sorted without the help of an experienced attorney, many of these situations require legal help.

Areas where family law attorneys can help you include:

  • Marriage or living with a significant other
  • Name changes after marriage
  • Divorce or annulment
  • Child custody, child support, or parenting time arrangements
  • Adoption and foster care
  • Issues of parentage
  • Emancipation of minors
  • Reproductive rights
  • Domestic violence and child abuse (including protection orders)

Many experienced attorneys may specialize in one or a few areas of family law. For example, an adoption attorney may only handle adoptions. At the same time, a divorce lawyer will most likely be knowledgeable in child custody and child support arrangements in addition to divorce. This lawyer may help you get a child custody order or child support order in addition to your final divorce decree.

Family lawyers can assist you with pressing needs, such as securing a protective order, or help guide you through long-term processes, like adopting a child. Whether you already have a problem that calls for legal help or want advice on how to best avoid future legal headaches, a good attorney's timely legal assistance can make all the difference.

Getting Legal Help for Your Family

Lawyers will help provide you with the legal advice and information you need to make informed decisions about your life. They will look at the facts of your family law case, help you identify your legal problem, and assist your navigation through the court system. They will help file court forms and guide you through the legal process.

You may also get legal help from services or programs, like a local legal clinic or advocacy center. Some states have self-help centers or legal aid programs to assist people representing themselves in family court. These legal services are often low-cost, and some nonprofits may offer free legal help in some circumstances. You can also access your local law library for more legal resources.

Use the legal resources on this page to learn more general information about how a family law attorney can help you and your family. You can also search and filter options in the FindLaw attorney directory to find legal help today.

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