The family court provides legal help for families when issues arise. The laws outline how the petitioners must proceed in their cases. A divorce case, for example, requires the petitioner to present evidence if they choose to use fault-based divorce grounds. The laws define what the petitioner must do in their case.
Filing for a Divorce
Divorce laws outline how petitioners must proceed when filing for a divorce. First, they must establish residency in the state by providing an attorney with their current driver’s license or a new lease agreement. Next, they must define why they want to get a divorce through the divorce grounds. The couple must reach an agreement about child custody, marital property division, debts, and filing taxes in the future. If the couple cannot arrive at an agreement, they may have to attend a divorce trial.
Child Custody Hearings
A child custody hearing is scheduled when a couple cannot arrive at an agreement on their own. The judge will make a decision after listening to the arguments from each side. They may assign a caseworker to complete a home study to evaluate the living conditions in both parents’ homes.
Family and divorce law defines how custody arrangements are set up and how much child support is paid to the custodial parent. Parents must abide by the court order once the judge makes a decision. They cannot file a petition to change the arrangements without a just case and not before at least one year has passed.
Protection Orders for Victims of Domestic Violence
After a spouse is arrested for domestic violence, the victim has the legal right to seek protection through the family court. The protection order prohibits any contact between the victim and the aggressor. The order defines all activities that the aggressor must avoid. If they violate the protection order, the aggressor can be arrested and will face additional charges.
Setting Up A Guardianship
A guardianship is set up for a minor or disabled adult who cannot take care of themselves. The guardian doesn’t have to be a family member; however, family members can see a guardianship to protect a disabled adult or minor who is at risk. With guardianship, the new guardian has control over the individual’s assets and makes decisions for the individual.
They set up medical care for the minor or disabled adult. The guardian is responsible for providing financial support for the minor, and if the individual is a disabled adult, they must pay the individual’s expenses out of their financial assets. The assignments may also come with stipulations to prevent the guardian from taking advantage of them or committing fraud.
The family court offers legal avenues to make legal changes in the lives of families. A petitioner can file a motion to get a divorce, acquire child custody, or even become the legal guardian for a minor or adult who is disabled. They can also get or extend a protection order if the person was the victim of domestic violence. Petitioners can get help with family law cases by contacting an attorney right now.
