{"id":358005,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/family-law.html"},"modified":"2024-09-16T10:38:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T15:38:00","slug":"family-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/family-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Family Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Family Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Family law covers legal issues involving family relationships, including divorce, child custody, adoption, and protective orders. A family law attorney can guide you these emotionally-charged matters and work towards the best outcome for you and your family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If your situation involves family relationships, you may need a family attorney.<\/p>\n

Family law<\/a>\u00a0practice covers many subspecialties. Some family law attorneys focus exclusively on divorce and related issues. Adoption attorneys may work with government or private agencies during adoptions.<\/p>\n

This article reviews the areas of law within the family law umbrella and which is best for your legal issues. It also covers why hiring a family law attorney<\/a>\u00a0is often in your best interest when navigating a divorce and how they can protect your legal rights.<\/p>\n

Legal Issues Within Family Law<\/h2>\n

If you have a family law issue, you likely need legal advice. Family law has two categories:<\/p>\n