Family Law Information

Whether dealing with an uncontested or contested divorce, the application of North Carolina’s child support guidelines, or the enforcement of a child custody order, families involved in family law and domestic disputes in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and surrounding areas need both personal and professional support through times that are highly emotional, but require calm and reasoned decision-making. The Law Office of  John C Fitzpatrick represents the interests of husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children and grandparents in the following areas of Virginia family and divorce law:

• Military divorce and military retirement pay under the Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (USFSPA)
• Domestic assault, domestic violence, physical child abuse, psychological abuse, sexual assault and rape, restraining order violations, stalking and harassment
• Child custody, legal custody, physical custody, visitation, and enforcement,
• Child support, spousal support, child support arrearages, child support enforcement, temporary spousal maintenance, indefinite term spousal maintenance
• Premarital agreements and prenuptial agreements
• Separation and property settlement agreements
• Equitable distribution of marital assets and marital debts

Family Law Defined

Family law is the term 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. When you are faced with an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the advice and assistance of a family law attorney often proves crucial to your understanding of the issues involved and your satisfaction with the ultimate outcome of your family law matter.

Typically, family law attorneys assist people in making and breaking family relationships. Specific areas of representation include marriage and relationship planning, divorce, paternity, child custody, and child support. Some family law attorneys also provide assistance in the area of adoption.

Child Support

There are millions of divorced parents who pay or receive child support. Federal legislation and uniform state laws exist to make enforcement and collection of child support easier for America’s single parents. Because 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 often important to consult with a family law attorney who is familiar with the child support guidelines and child support enforcement laws in your state. If you have questions about the child support laws in your state, the rules for child support collection and enforcement that apply to your particular situation, or the process to establish paternity, contact a family law attorney at the Law Office of John C Fitzpatrick to schedule a consultation.

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 financial matters that must be resolved and legal issues that must be addressed. A family law attorney he Law Office of John C Fitzpatrick can help you to understand the basic issues involved in divorce and to use a rational approach to the divorce process.

Custody and Visitation

When parents divorce, it is important to learn about the child custody and visitation options that are available and the legal standards that apply. In many cases, divorcing couples can ultimately agree on custody and visitation issues without the need for a court order. When an agreement cannot be reached, knowledgeable advice and representation from a family law attorney can often make the difference.

Marriage

Marriage is a voluntary, private contract between two adults. While it is a personal and emotional commitment, it is also a legal relationship that changes the legal status of both parties. A family law attorney at our firm can help you to understand the legal technicalities of marriage.

More Family Law Info

Each family law situation is different. For this reason, please only use this free family law info as a primer for an appointment with an experienced Durham family law lawyer. The Law Office of John C. Fitzpatrick will be a caring confidant to see you through your family law matter.