Family life is generally a highly rewarding time for most people and full of many happy moments spent with family members. The majority of families experience more good times than bad, and their life together can help to nurture and strengthen them as time passes. Nevertheless, some families encounter serious legal problems that may cause them to have to consult with a family law attorney in order to obtain a solution.
A Virginia Beach family law attorney can truly help unburden you from much of the stress and emotional strain that you may be feeling due to your individual family law case. Whether it is a divorce case, child support issue, adoption, or any other legal situation that can cause you to feel extremely overwhelmed and not know what would be in your best interest, our attorneys understand how to navigate the complex legal processes involved in these matters.
Our attorneys at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, have many years of experience handling your particular family law case. We realize that the legal issues you may be encountering can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety as you worry about what the future may bring. We can work to assist you by handling your legal situation in a sensitive manner. Our goal is to lend a helping hand in your time of need. We work hard to provide you with the legal insight necessary to help you achieve your desired goal in your family law case. If you feel that you need the assistance of an experienced attorney, contact Parks Zeigler, PLLC and schedule a consultation with us to discuss your case.
What Legal Areas Does Family Law Cover?
Adoption
Adopting a child is one of the noblest acts that one human being can perform for another. It can be very rewarding for both the prospective parent as well as the child. However, it is well known that the adoption process can be extremely overwhelming. This is especially true regarding the tremendous amount of legal paperwork that is necessary and must be filled out correctly. When considering the legal process of adoption in Virginia Beach, it is best if you retain an experienced family law attorney who understands how the adoption process works. Our law firm is well-versed in collecting and handling all the necessary documents that you will be required to submit. We can help you make decisions that will be in your best interest as well as what is best for the child.
Divorce
Family relationships, especially that of marriage, can be some of the most rewarding associations that we can ever experience in our lifetime. Nonetheless, sometimes things do not always go as planned, and events can occur that cause a marriage to fail. Our attorneys can guide you through the many legal issues and procedures that pertain to divorce proceedings. Divorce cases and their subsequent litigation are never easy for any of the parties involved. We understand that the circumstances that surround each divorce case are unique. We will work hard to ensure that your legal rights are upheld. Our law firm is committed to seeing our clients through the divorce process and working to obtain a judgment that is in their best interest. Some of the aspects of divorce cases that we can assist with involve:
- Dissolution of Marriage
- Property Division
- Collaborative Divorce
- Mediation
- Issues that surround the noncustodial parent, such as child custody and visitation
Custody
The topic of child custody can become very contentious between two spouses. By far this is most likely one of the most difficult aspects that must be dealt with at the end of a marriage. Our family law attorneys can counsel you as to your legal rights and help you determine what would be in the best interest of your child.
Military Family Law
One of the greatest services a person can provide to our country is to serve in the military. However, frequent overseas deployments and other stressful conditions often can make it difficult for military marriages to survive. Our family attorneys have many years of experience in dealing with the various characteristics associated with the legal services that relate to military family law. Sadly, when a military family seeks a divorce, there are many areas that need to be addressed that differ from those involved in civilian divorces. Our proficient attorneys are skilled in handling family law cases such as these. We can offer you sound advice as to how to proceed.
These family law issues are often more difficult due to the complexities that surround military life. Some of the complex issues that we are able to address are those of:
- Court Appearances (when away on deployment)
- Child Custody
- Child Visitation Arrangements
Nevertheless, we can address all types of family law matters, no matter how challenging it may appear, and negotiate a settlement that would be in your best interest.
Property Settlement Agreements
In Virginia, a Property Settlement Agreement, also known as a PSA, is a legally binding contract between two individuals that sets forth the terms and conditions as to how they will move forward in their separation and in their divorce. Some of the key points that are addressed in the PSA can include parenting arrangements, spousal support, along with asset and property distribution.
Child Support
According to the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia, both parents are legally obligated to provide financial support for their children. Our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure that your children will receive the financial support that is necessary for them to live happy and productive lives. Child support is generally determined by examining the following essential factors:
- The gross income of each party
- The costs of medical insurance for the children
- The costs of work-related childcare
- The child custody schedule
Prenuptial Agreements
These types of legal agreements are drafted before a marriage takes place in the event of a divorce. Before signing a prenuptial agreement, it is crucial that both you and your future spouse retain an attorney who can review it and confirm that it is in your best interest. It is also possible to review and potentially challenge a prenuptial agreement in a divorce case if certain standards were not upheld when the document was originally signed. We can also assist you if your spouse has chosen not to honor a valid prenuptial agreement by taking the appropriate legal action.
Separation Agreements
Contrary to its name, a separation agreement is not actually a legal agreement for spouses to separate from one another. Instead, it is an agreement that outlines for the parties involved in the divorce the marital issues that will be dealt with that relate to child custody, child support, division of property and other marital assets, as well as spousal support. Our attorneys can assist with drafting this document and working with you to secure your interests as well as those of your children, if applicable.
Spousal Support
Unfortunately, when two spouses are in the process of a divorce the issue of finances and spousal support ultimately must be addressed. We are aware of how essential spousal support may be in your particular situation. Unlike child support, there is no specific formula as to how spousal support is to be determined. As such, each individual case must be examined, and then determinations are made based on an individual’s needs and circumstances. Our family law attorneys work to get you a judgment that will be highly beneficial to you and your particular situation. Our attorneys recognize this and strive to handle each case with care and compassion.
Father’s Rights
As times change for the better, fathers are fighting for the same legal considerations that women have enjoyed in areas of child support and spousal support. Virginia does not solely favor women in the area of child custody, and either party, male or female, may request and receive child support. The court will make a full examination of all of the factors involved in the case and make a legal determination based on what they deem to be the best interest of the child.
Guardianship
In Virginia an adult guardianship is generated when a circuit court makes a determination that an individual is incapable of managing their own financial or personal affairs. The court then appoints a guardian or conservator to handle matters that pertain to finances, legal issues, and healthcare. Even if you are the parent of a child who has severe emotional or mental disabilities, you may still have the need to ask the court for legal guardianship when they turn 18 years old. This process can be started six months prior to the individual turning 18.
Estate Planning
Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just for the very wealthy or elderly. Most individuals are under the mistaken impression that when they pass away their assets such as real estate and other property will automatically go to their next of kin or other family members. Depending on the circumstances, this may not always be the case. Estate planning can give you the peace of mind to ensure that your final wishes are carried out after you pass away. Estate planning is an essential legal tool that individuals are strongly encouraged to utilize if they have minor children. It is important to specify who you want them to live with in the event of your death. This will help to spare them even more emotional trauma of having the courts decide where they will live.
Grandparent’s Visitation Rights
In Virginia, the court has the legal right to award visitation between a minor child and any person with what is termed a “legitimate interest”. Of course, this can include grandparents, but also step-grandparents, former step-grandparents, and other blood relatives or family members as well. The bond that exists between grandparents and children is very special and it is the opinion of the courts that this is beneficial to the emotional well-being of the child.
LGBTQ Matters
This area of family law deals exclusively with issues that pertain to the legal rights of those within the LGBTQ community. Some examples of these would be discrimination in the workplace, the inability to obtain housing based on sexual orientation, or other factors directly related to LGBTQ rights. Our lawyers are dedicated to making certain that all members of our community are treated equally, and with the respect they deserve.
Our law firm is highly committed to helping families resolve legal matters that require the assistance of an experienced family law attorney.
What are the Different Types of Adoption That a Family Law Attorney Can Help With?
Anyone over the age of 18 years of age or older is eligible to adopt a child. Prospective adoptive parents are permitted to be same-sex couples, single, married, divorced, or widowed. However, it should be understood that there are many legal requirements that must be met in order to do so. The process of adoption can be very demanding, both financially and emotionally. It is highly recommended that you obtain a skilled family lawyer in Virginia Beach with extensive experience in handling adoption cases. They have the ability to help you understand what potential options would be in your best interest.
There are several basic categories that pertain to adoption:
Domestic Adoption
This simply means adopting a child who was born in the United States. In Virginia, a woman can decide to voluntarily place her child with an adoptive family of her choosing.
International Adoption
The process of adopting a child who was born in another country. Depending on which country you choose to adopt a child from, the rules can vary as to the legal requirements that must be met.
Open Adoption
In this type of adoption, the adoptive parents and biological parents are able to meet one another and share information. The amount and type of communication that both parties wish to have is decided. Both parties must acknowledge the agreement. Since this is considered to be a legal contract, either party has the right to legally enforce the terms and conditions that were outlined in the agreement. It should be noted that a Circuit Court judge has the legal ability to modify the agreement in the best interest of the child.
Closed Adoption
In a closed adoption, neither the birth parents nor the adoptive parents make contact with one another. The birth parent’s parental rights are permanently terminated once the proper documentation is signed. One aspect of closed adoptions is that little or no information is shared, including family medical history. Any request for those types of records would be handled by an adoption specialist.
Close Relative
This type of adoption involves a family member adopting a child that is related to them. Often this is done if the birth parents can no longer properly care for the child. This can also occur if both of the birth parents have subsequently passed away essentially leaving the child an orphan.
Step-Parent Adoption
The conditions involved in a step-parent adoption differ from those of regular adoption as the biological parents still retain legal rights to the child. In a step-parent adoption, one of the biological parents has either chosen to willingly terminate their parental rights or have had them permanently removed by the court. In either case, the biological parent ending their rights must sign a legal document acknowledging that their rights have been terminated. A step-parent adoption may also take place if one of the biological parents is deceased.
Adult Adoptions
Adoptions of this nature take place when an individual is at least 18 years of age and is adopted by another adult. These types of adoptions are normally completed due to issues of inheritance when a stepparent wishes to leave assets to the adoptee. The individual who is to be adopted must give their consent to the adoption.
Why Should I Hire a Family Law Attorney?
Our family law office handles legal matters that deal with a wide variety of family situations. These complicated family conditions often result in legal ramifications and have a need to be resolved with the help of the court.
One aspect of family law that is distinctive to this field of law is the fact that most cases do not simply involve one person but also cross over into the lives of other family members as well. This is especially true in matters of divorce or adoption.
The idea of having to go and participate in a family law hearing in front of a judge can be daunting, to say the least. In these types of cases, emotions are normally running very high due to the uncertainty of the outcome in your specific case.
Our goal is to help support families and obtain what is in the best interest of an adult or child, depending on what the case may entail.
Gifted family law attorneys are the best choice of legal representation when dealing with these types of legal cases in Virginia Beach. When it comes to having to cope with matters such as these in your life, you want representation that has the legal experience to handle this particular field of law with both competence and proficiency.
We agree that this is a very difficult time in your life, and the thought of having to obtain legal representation can only add to the stress that you are already feeling. Nevertheless, when it comes to dealing with these complex and often unpleasant issues, it is best to have an attorney who understands your legal rights as well as your legal responsibilities.
Discuss Next Steps With a Virginia Beach Family Attorney
Our dedicated attorneys at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, can explain how your case will proceed step by step. They will also analyze all of your possible legal options going forward while keeping you up to date on what is occurring with your case. If you are in need of a Virginia Beach family law attorney, contact us to schedule an appointment. Together we can help relieve some of the worries you are experiencing regarding your case. We look forward to serving you in your time of need.
