Family law (also called matrimonial law or the law of domestic relations) is an area of the law that deals with family matters and domestic relations. No two family law cases are ever alike, and some may involve more complicated legal issues than others. Sometimes this means settling a matter peacefully through mediation, or it may involve highly contentious legal issues requiring the involvement of the court to render decisions in one’s case. In either case, having competent legal representation is critical to ensuring that your rights and interests are fully protected.

Subjects that commonly fall under family law include:

Unmarried parents - When two individuals were never married but have children together, both have certain rights regarding child support and custody.

Fault-based divorce - Alleging that the breakdown of a marriage was caused by such factors as adultery, extreme cruelty, endangerment, habitual drunkenness, or abandonment can be time-consuming, costly, and difficult to prove. However, there may be certain advantages of raising these fault-based claims, such as the ability to receive a greater amount of property and/or alimony.

Guardianship - A guardianship may be necessary to protect an incapacitated adult or a minor child.

Grandparent rights and visitation – If you are seeking visitation with your grandchild(ren), we will assist you in filing a petition for visitation and help to maximize your chances of prevailing in such an action.

Relocation - Seeking to relocate or are a parent wishing to challenge such an action, we have the skills and experience necessary to effectively represent you and your interests in this regard.

Child custody - When parents cannot come to a consensus in terms of an appropriate custodial arrangement for their child(ren), the court will have to render a determination based on the child(ren)’s “best interests.

Adoption - Process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.

Paternity law - Legal relationship between a father and his biological or adopted children and deals with the rights and obligations of both the father and the child to each other as well as to others. A child's paternity may be relevant in relation to issues of legitimacy, inheritance and rights to a putative father's title or surname, as well as the biological father's rights to child custody in the case of separation or divorce and obligations for child support.

Issues may arise in family law where there is a question as to the laws of the jurisdiction that apply to the marriage relationship or to custody and divorce, and whether a divorce or child custody order is recognized under the laws of another jurisdiction.