An effective family law attorney in Florida is one who has honed multiple skills: trial, mediation, counseling, negotiation, and legal drafting. The practice of family law must address the family’s interrelated legal and non-legal problems. The focus must be on improving the family’s function after the court process has terminated. In choosing a family law attorney, a person must choose wisely. It can make the difference in the entire family’s mental and emotional well-being for years to come. The attorney should be a good sounding board and a voice of reason. The attorney should not prey on the client’s anger, hurt and resentment. Clients often have a desire to punish the spouse. However, if the attorney preys upon this natural desire, the client is much worse for the wear, left with no control over the outcome of the case and outrageous attorneys’ fees. The family is left having suffered a long, traumatic ordeal where the family’s financial resources were depleted through attorneys’ fees. It is not ideal. It can be avoided with the right assistance. It does not serve justice for the family.
Dissolution of Marriage, more commonly called Divorce, is an emotional and sometimes extremely complicated process. If there are children involved, the focus shifts to serving the best interest of the children, to protecting them and their mental and emotional welfare. Many times people purchase forms and attempt to get divorced without an attorney. People do this at their own peril. It does cost money to retain an attorney to handle a divorce. However, with an attorney, a person can be sure the law has been followed, he or she is not paying any more than required for child support or alimony, and the distribution of marital assets and liabilities is just and fair under the law. Too often people come to attorneys after a final order in the divorce to repair the mistakes the person made by going it alone. It is often too late and unfortunate because the mistakes could have been prevented. An attorney will make sure the client understands how the terms of the divorce will actually work after the divorce is final. The attorney will work to prevent problems after the divorce. The client can then have peace of mind that he or she was protected and treated justly under the law.
Modification and Contempt Actions are suits filed after the parties are divorced, to change or enforce provisions of the divorce. Modifications can attempt to change any provision in a final order of divorce but are commonly used to change custody, child support or visitation. There are very specific legal standards which apply and the client must trust the attorney to give an honest evaluation of the client’s chances of success in the modification. Contempt actions are suits filed to enforce the provisions of a final order of divorce. Contempt actions are used to force a party to do something the Judge ordered him or her to do in the original divorce. Generally, contempt actions are related to party’s failure to pay child support or allow visitation.
There are many other types of cases designated “family law” cases which The Ragan Law Firm, P.A. accepts. Examples include: Paternity Actions, Prenuptial Agreements, Modification or Enforcement of Alimony, Step-parent Adoptions, Relocation of Children Actions and more. The Ragan Law Firm, P.A. serves Orlando, Maitland, Sanford, Apopka, Kissimmee, Winter Park, Daytona, Winter Garden, Ocoee and the entire Central Florida Area. Call or email today to arrange a consultation.
