Compassionate and Effective Family Law Representation. Very few people ever “want” a divorce, although that’s often what is said by one spouse to the other. Circumstances may make a person feel they have little choice but to obtain a divorce if they want to change their life or the lives of their children for the better. Consultation with a family law attorney can help you decide whether or not divorce is the best decision for your family. Few people enter into a marriage planning to get a divorce, yet divorce affects over an overwhelming number of American families, and the statistic may be higher if you include the blended families which often exist because of a prior divorce in subsequent relationships or marriages. Divorce is a family law reality that must be faced when a relationship is no longer sustainable due to conflicts of personalities, financial problems, marital fidelity issues, health and/or substance abuse problems, or value differences between parents where children are concerned. Divorce is always traumatic. The issues of finances and child custody are often difficult to resolve amicably. I am sensitive to the delicate nature of the issues confronting the divorcing client. I believes in providing compassionate and cost-effective legal representation. I work hard to counsel my clients through initial filings of divorce papers, represent them during discovery and motions, at mediation and at the trial and appellate levels. I can also handle any post-judgment modification proceedings. Mediation I believe in offering clients honest and practical advice. Some clients know their marriages are over and want to resolve related issues as peacefully and respectfully as possible. Some strongly believe that they must cooperate to resolve all child related issues to place the children first. In these instances, I will utilize negotiation and mediation resources to meet my clients goals. I will focus my skills on your needs in the following areas: Divorce: Divorce is extremely traumatic and difficult. I strive to make the divorce procedure as simple as possible for my clients. I carefully listen to clients’ concerns and then represent them diligence and professionalism. My goal is to provide outstanding legal representation, while at the same time easing the pressures that clients endure during the divorce proceedings. Child Custody: Child custody proceedings are equally traumatic to that of a divorce. These proceedings are either part of the divorce or may stand alone in non-divorce settings. There are two forms of child custody. Physical custody refers to the parent that has the actual physical custody of the child. Legal custody refers to the parent that has decision-making authority on important decisions affecting the child’s welfare. Both forms of custody may be sole or joint. The determination of who is the proper parent for custody involves the analysis of factors set out by statute. I strive to assist parents in focusing on the best interest of their children, placing those needs above the anger and frustration that accompanies the divorce process. This helps the parents reflect the truth: they love their children more than they dislike each other. Parenting Time: Another term for parenting time is visitation. Parenting time is the scheduled times that the child will spend with each parent. These times are based on the facts and circumstances of each case. My philosophy is to focus on helping the parents see what will best benefit their children, ease their transition through this difficult changing time and lead them to a successful future. Spousal Support: Another term for spousal support is alimony. Spousal support is the amount of funds one party may have to pay the other party above and beyond the property division. Whether or not spousal support will be awarded is based on the facts and circumstances of each case. Child Support: Child support refers to the payment of money one parent may be ordered to pay for the support of a child, including payment of medical, dental, and other health care expenses; child care expenses; and educational expenses. Property Division: Refers to the division of marital property between the parties. Generally, the division must be equitable, just and reasonable. However, the division of the marital estate will be determined by the facts and circumstances of each case. I work with my clients to work toward obtaining those assets that will best benefit them in the long run while at the same time proceeding in a thoughtful and intelligent manner - preserving their dignity during the process. Pre/Post-Nuptial Agreements: Another term for pre-nuptial agreement is ante nuptial agreement. A pre-nuptial agreement is entered into before the marriage. A post-nuptial agreement is entered into during the marriage. Both agreements form a contract by which the parties can vary or relinquish marital rights. Paternity: Refers to an action to determine the paternity of a child. The child’s mother, putative father, or the Family Independence Agency (FIA) may file these actions. It is of the utmost importance that if a party has any question about the paternity of a child, they should immediately seek legal representation. Post-Judgment Matters: Post-Judgment actions take place after the entry of the divorce Judgment. The party or their attorney files a petition to amend the Judgment of divorce. These matters typically pertain to child issues, such as custody and support. Sometimes a change in residence of a parent, or new spouses of one parent makes this necessary, and sometimes the safety or development of the child makes filing a modification suit necessary. Some aspects of an order are easily modified, but many aspects are very difficult to modify, and it must be proved to a court that the modification is in the best interest of the child. As with original suits, all cases are very unique and specific to their facts, and therefore a consultation with a family law attorney is necessary to see if your child custody case is appropriate for filing a modification