Family Law Anderson Associates Attorneys Schaumburg Illinois

Family Law Anderson & Associates Attorneys Schaumburg Illinois
Family Law – An Overview

Family law is the term that is applied to the laws and rules developed regarding family relationships. Family law rules define not only the relationships between members of a family but also between a family and society as a whole. More than any other area of the law, family law reflects the values society shares regarding how people who are related should treat each other.

Typically, family law attorneys assist people with the making and breaking of family relationships. Specific areas of representation usually include marriage and relationship planning, divorce, paternity, child custody and child support. Some family law attorneys also provide assistance in the area of adoption. When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the advice and assistance of an experienced family law attorney often proves crucial to your understanding of the issues involved and your satisfaction with the ultimate outcome of the family-related concern you face.

Child Support

There are more than 13 million divorced parents with sole custody of their minor children in America. Federal legislation and uniform state laws exist to make enforcement and collection of child support easier for America\’s single parents. Every state uses its own guidelines for establishing child support and each has various methods to set support amounts and recover support when it is overdue.

It is important to consult with an experienced family law attorney if you need help with a child support related issue. An attorney with experience in the area of child support will help you understand the laws in your state and the rules for child support collection and enforcement that apply to your particular situation, whether you are ending a marriage or are already divorced, have questions about paternity or are the parent paying support.

Divorce

Deciding to pursue divorce is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions you will ever make, particularly if you have children. Divorce also involves business and legal questions that must be resolved. An experienced family law attorney will help you to understand the basic issues and use a rational perspective to approach the process.

Grounds for Divorce

Traditionally, every state required a person filing for divorce to prove “grounds” or some type of spousal fault in order to obtain a divorce. Today, the majority of states allow at least one form of “no-fault” divorce, which does not require proof of fault. If no-fault divorce is available in your state, either member of the couple may obtain a divorce, even if the other party does not consent to the divorce.

Custody & Visitation

When parents divorce, they need to learn the child custody and visitation options that are available to them and the legal standards applied to the different options. In most cases, divorcing couples are ultimately able to agree on custody and visitation issues without the need for a court order. When an agreement cannot be reached, knowledgeable advice and representation from an experienced family law attorney often makes the difference.

Custody Basics

The set of parental responsibilities regarding day-to-day care of the child as well as the rights to direct the child\’s daily activities is known legally as physical custody. Legal custody means the rights and responsibilities associated with decisions regarding the child\’s upbringing.

Marriage

Marriage is a voluntary, private contract between a man and a woman. While it is a personal and emotional commitment, it is also a legal relationship that changes the legal status of both parties. The legal rights and obligations associated with marriage have evolved with our society and today are equitable between both parties. Each state has its own rules about marriage, but there are some uniform principles, including: