DC family law is a legal practice area that deals with issues involving family relationships. Because family relationships are a topic in almost every area of the law, a good DC family law attorney has a general understanding of most legal practice areas. However, DC family law attorneys most commonly focus on issues such as adoption, prenuptial agreements, divorce, paternity issues, and child custody and child support.

Adoption

Adoption is one of the most important yet difficult fields of family law. How an adoption process works depends on the type of adoption, where the child was born, and specific state laws regarding adoption. Furthermore, foster children will sometimes be adopted by their foster parents. This process is different from the normal adoption process yet requires just as much legal knowledge.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a vital document for any couple to create. A separation or divorce is easier to execute if the terms of the split are already decided upon. Finally, a couple should always strive to agree to terms that are reasonable and fair to both parties. Terms set up like this are more likely to be enforceable than terms that create a significant imbalance between parties. A DC family law attorney is crucial to achieving this goal when prenuptial agreements are written. The reason for this is one party will almost always attempt to get disproportionality favorable terms.

Divorce

Going through a divorce is one of the most emotional and financial draining experiences someone can go through. Because of the high emotions present throughout the case and the financial implications associated with a divorce, finding an experienced lawyer who will take the time to understand your individual situation is critical. In such a case, an experienced DC family law attorney will act as a mediator between parties. A good DC family law attorney can even help couples move through a divorce without ever having to go to court.

Paternity

In DC, most legal cases involving paternity begin with the mother of a child who is looking for the father of the child to pay child support. While seemingly easy, receiving a paternity test from a father who is absent or denying that they are the father of a child can be difficult. While many legal cases involving paternity consist of the mother filing against the father, sometimes biological fathers file for paternity in order to have a relationship with their child. A DC family law attorney is especially useful when a mother or father is refusing to take a paternity test.

Child Custody Agreements and Child Support

When a couple separates, one of the most difficult issues to handle is what happens to minor children. Child custody is an agreement in which both parents have to live with the terms therein. Child custody incorporates two subfields—legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody refers to the right of the respective parents to make major life decisions for their minor children, like which school to attend, religious decisions, and which doctors to see. Physical custody refers to where the children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent.

Child support, while not as important as child custody, is typically a topic of divorce cases. Most child support issues will be figured out before a divorce is final. However, these issues may be revisited as conditions change. For instance, child support may change if the non-custodial parent’s financial situation changes.

Final Thoughts

The main goal of family law attorney should be to help both parties avoid litigation and move toward mediation. However, lawyers cannot settle certain disputes in mediation. When this occurs, a DC family law attorney can help litigants get justice. With over 20 years of experience helping clients with their DC family law issues, Antonoplos & Associates family law attorneys have the knowledge required to help you through any issues that may occur.

Contact Our DC Law Office for More Information

For more information on DC family law attorneys, contact us at 202-803-5676. You can also directly schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.