Don't Face Challenging Family Law Matters Alone
Family law is a complex and ever-changing area of law. It is important to seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney if you have any questions or concerns about these legal issues. The Grace Legal Team has decades of experience. This enables them to provide aggressive representation in litigation, mediation, and collaborative law. From our law offices in Camp Hill, we provide representation for residents of Harrisburg, PA, Dauphin County, Cumberland County, York County, Lebanon County, Lancaster County, and all of central Pennsylvania.
Family matters are naturally the cause of extreme emotional stress and anxiety. It’s only natural. This is the main reason why sound legal advice from an experienced family lawyer is essential. Your attorney is best suited to create a legal strategy that will ensure a good outcome for your case. The PA family lawyers at Grace Legal are knowledgeable in all family law issues.
If you and your family need an advocate, contact us now
The practice of family law is the application of legal principles and procedures to family-related matters which include:
- Grandparents' Rights & Visitation
- Property Division
- Spousal Support & Alimony
- Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders
- Marital Settlement Agreements
Marriage involves the legal recognition of a couple’s relationship. It can also involve the regulation of marriages, such as the requirements for getting married and the rights and responsibilities of married couples. It may also include the drafting of prenuptial agreements (created before marriage) as well as postnuptial agreements (created during the marriage), both of which allow a married couple to protect themselves and their assets in case of a future divorce.
Divorce is the legal mechanism to end or dissolve a marriage. This includes property division and division of money, spousal support, as well as custody arrangements. A divorce may be an uncontested divorce or might be one that has to go through a process such as collaboration, mediation, or trial.
Custody deals with the legal arrangement of who will care for a child after a divorce or separation. This can involve decisions about visitation rights, child support payments, and other aspects of raising a child.
Adoption deals with the legal process of becoming a parent to a child who is not your biological child. This can involve adopting a child from another country or from the foster care system.
Domestic violence deals with issues of abusive relationships. This includes the protection of victims of domestic violence, as well as the prosecution of abusers.
Family Law FAQs
What Is Child Custody Law?
Child custody is the legal arrangement of who will care for a child after a divorce or separation. This can involve decisions about visitation rights, support payments, and other aspects of raising a child. Child custody can be awarded to one of the parents, or it can be shared between the parents. The court will consider many factors when making a child custody determination, including the child’s age, the child’s relationship with each parent, and each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs.
What is Domestic Violence Law?
Domestic violence is an issue of abusive relationships. This can include the protection of victims of domestic violence, as well as the prosecution of abusers. Domestic violence is a serious problem, and it is important to get help if you are in an abusive relationship. There are many resources available to victims of domestic violence, including shelters, counseling, and support groups.
Does My Family Law Matter Have To Go To Court?
Not all cases have to go to court or trial. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, it might be possible to arrive at an amicable settlement. In such a case, parties may be able to agree on the dissolution of assets, spousal support, custody arrangements, and other matters. In the event a settlement cannot be reached, there are different routes to take to arrive at a resolution including:
- Collaborative Law
- Mediation
- Trial
What Is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law is an alternative to traditional litigation in which the parties to a divorce agree to work together to resolve their differences. Collaborative law has its roots in the collaborative movement, which began in the 1980s and is based on the idea that conflict can be resolved through cooperation rather than confrontation. In collaborative law, both parties to a divorce retain their own divorce family law attorneys, but they agree to work together to reach a settlement that is in the best interests of both parties and their children. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, they agree to go their separate ways and litigate their differences through the court process.
The benefits of collaborative law include:
- Reduced costs: Because the parties are working together to reach a settlement, the costs of litigation are typically much lower than in a traditional divorce.
- Reduced stress: The collaborative process is typically less stressful than traditional litigation because the parties are working together rather than against each other.
- Increased control: In collaborative law, the parties retain control over the outcome of their case. This is in contrast to traditional litigation where the judge makes the final decision.
- Privacy: Because the collaborative process takes place outside of court, it is typically more private than traditional litigation.
The disadvantages of collaborative law include:
- Time commitment: The collaborative process can take longer than traditional litigation because the parties are working together to reach a settlement./li>
- Limited options: If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, they will have to litigate their differences in court. This means that the options for resolving the case are limited./li>
- No guarantee of success: There is no guarantee that the collaborative process will be successful. It is possible that the parties will not be able to reach a settlement and will have to go to court.
The steps in the collaborative process include:
- The parties agree to work together to resolve their differences.
- The parties each retain their own attorney.
- The attorneys meet with the parties to discuss the case and develop a plan for resolving the issues.
- The parties exchange information and documents related to the case.
- The parties meet with their attorneys to discuss settlement options.
- If the parties are able to reach a settlement, they sign a contract reflecting the terms of the agreement. If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, they go their separate ways and litigate their differences in court.
What Is Mediation?
Parties in Pennsylvania may elect to resolve family law issues through the mediation procedure. In short, mediation is a process in which a mediator helps disputing parties reach an agreement. In family law, mediation can be used to resolve conflicts between spouses, parents, and children. The mediator does not make decisions for the parties, but rather helps them communicate and negotiate so that they can reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Since these sensitive matters are often contentious, mediation, in certain cases, may be an advisable route to arriving at a settlement.
Mediation is different from going to court or having your attorneys negotiate on your behalf. Instead, the mediator, who is chosen by the parties, helps facilitate a discussion between the parties to establish the main issues to be resolved by each party and how an amicable solution can be achieved.
Mediators are trained in facilitating communication between parties. Their mediation experience may derive from their backgrounds in marriage counseling, social work, or psychology. In Pennsylvania, mediators can assist in a number of family law issues such as:
- Divorce
- Separation
- Spousal support
- Child support
- Property division
Mediation is typically conducted with only the parties present. While you should have a qualified family law attorney advising you, they usually will not be present for the mediation process. Mediation is not always the best course. This determination will be made after consulting with your family law attorney.
What Is A Family Law Trial?
A family law trial is like any other trial in a court of law where issues of disputed facts are resolved in accordance with the applicable Pennsylvania law.
If necessary, a trial can be held before a judge for divorces where “fault” is alleged or to resolve issues like the division of assets and custody of children.
As with any other trial, each side is able to present witnesses and evidence to make their case. Each side has the ability to cross-examine witnesses. If the case is before a jury, the jury will decide the case, and the disputed facts, applying the law as instructed by the judge. In a “bench trial” where there is no jury and the judge decides the issues of fact and law, the judge will make a final determination.
Do I Need A Family Law Attorney For My Case?
Family law matters tend to be quite fraught with emotions running high. This puts a person under great mental and psychological stress while trying to make major life decisions. The best way to protect yourself and your rights is with an attorney at a respected family law practice like those at Grace Legal.
Grace Legal represents clients from the initial consultation through to the resolution of the case. The family law attorneys at Grace have extensive experience in all family law practice areas ensuring clients receive the best legal representation. They will work tirelessly to manage your case, be transparent, and answer all your questions. Our team is devoted to making sure you achieve the best result possible. They promise to do this for you with compassion and Grace.
