Do I Need to Hire a Family Lawyer for Divorce?

Many people are aware of the fact that the divorce process can prove to be difficult and time-consuming, to say the least. As such, many couples elect to get a divorce lawyer. However, depending on your particular circumstance, a family lawyer may be more beneficial. In order for you to determine if you need a family lawyer, you need to understand the difference between the two as well as the distinctive services they provide and areas they specialize in. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the circumstances that dictate the need for a family lawyer for a divorce.

The Difference

The terminologies family laws and divorce laws are typically used interchangeably, however, they should not be. Even though people may think that they are generally the same thing, the fact is that divorce law consists of one of the various issues involved with family law.

As such, even though a divorce lawyer may be able to handle situations involving divorce, in the same breath they may not have the expertise necessary to handle family law related matters. On the other hand, a family lawyer covers the whole pyramid of family-related laws including divorce. Meaning, an individual who specializes in family law-related issues will be able to handle divorce as well. As such, if you have children, for instance, you may need the services of a lawyer who specializes in family law and divorce-related issues.

Handling Estates And Wills

A will is defined as being a legal instrument as to which people can use to state who can acquire heir finances and property once they pass away. Family lawyers, unlike divorce lawyers, are responsible for helping people when it comes to drafting and editing these documents. As such, individuals in a divorce may need the assistance of a family lawyer when it comes to removing a spouse.

Custody Agreements

Once a couple decides to pursue a divorce, one of the most complicated and heart-wrenching things that occur is the custody arrangements of any child/children they may have. Once a divorce has been finalized couples will need to come to an agreement on how they will take care of their children going forward such as medical expenses, food, shelter, and schooling. They will also have to come to an agreement on who will be the parent that the child primarily lives with. Child custody itself is defined as being a legally binding agreement as to which both parents have to abide by, once it’s been finalized. A family lawyer can help to finalize such an agreement.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is legally defined as being a contract that was signed by the couple, prior to their marriage. The context of such agreements varies from couple to couple, but the primary purpose of it is to define the division of property as well as the circumstances surrounding spousal support in the circumstance that the couple decides to have a divorce. Family lawyers also specialize in drafting prenuptial agreements as well as to handle any issues that may arise once the couple divorces.