Family Law
Family law is a broad field, one that encompasses a variety of topics, but in essence it may be defined as that branch of the law which deals with relationships between family members, such as husbands and wives, parents and children, and domestic partners. Among the topics which fall under the heading of Family Law are: divorce, annulment, pre-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, child custody, visitation rights, alimony, child support, paternity, marital property rights, spousal abuse, child abuse, and domestic partnerships, among others. It should be noted that personal relationships are governed by the laws of individual states, so the particulars of Family Law may vary significantly from state to state.
Clearly, the topics just mentioned represent some of the most crucial issues that you may have to face during your lifetime. The decisions that you make with regard to these matters will have significant repercussions, so it is essential that you retain an attorney like Terri Garcia, one who is knowledgeable and experienced in the area of Family Law.
Family Law is an extremely demanding branch of the legal profession, in that many – if not most – of the cases in this particular area of legal specialty center on issues which are difficult and emotional. All the more reason to have an experienced, level-headed attorney on your side, one who knows when to stand firm and when to negotiate. The Terri Garcia Law Firm will make sure that your rights are protected while at the same time striving to find equitable and fair solutions.
If you are considering divorce, call the Terri Garcia Law Firm today at 281-741-3420 for expert and compassionate legal counsel. The stakes are too high to leave any matter to chance. Know your rights, know your responsibilities, and know what lies ahead of you.
Divorce
A divorce is the legal instrument which formally ends and a marriage. When a marriage is dissolved, the issues of child custody, child support, division of property, and division of debt may also need to be addressed. Almost half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce, so clearly this is a legal matter that eventually will touch the lives of most individuals in one fashion or another.
In the United States, there is no constitutional or legal right to divorce. However, in the interest of serving public policy, all states do permit legally married couples to obtain a divorce. Some states require a “cooling off” period, which is a pre-determined interval following a legal separation before actual divorce proceedings can begin.
If you are contemplating divorce, it is imperative that you consult an attorney, so that you can protect your rights and know what to expect. The Terri Garcia Law firm can guide you through the stressful process of divorce in a knowledgeable, compassionate, and wise manner.
Child Custody
In any divorce case where children are involved, child custody is an important issue and may, in fact, be one of the most difficult and contentious. Matters of child custody relate to the guardianship of those children whose parents are divorced. In some states, child custody issues are divided into two areas, physical custody and legal custody.
Physical custody has to do with where the child will live. In many cases, one parent is given sole physical custody of the child, but in other circumstances, both parents share physical custody, with the child residing at both parents’ residences, based upon a mutually agreeable schedule.
Legal custody, on the other hand, refers to the decisions which must be made reading various issues in a child’s life. These can include medical, religious, and educational matters. As is the case with physical custody, legal custody may be awarded to one or both parents.