Families are the smallest and most comfortable units of existence in the US. They’re intimate and cozy, and they represent one of the bastions of our society. Nonetheless, these comfortable and loving environments sometimes require the assistance of a trusted and respected family lawyer – someone who will be able to settle certain family disputes or fairly deal with a family in crisis. In this short piece, we’ll look at the moments in life when family law is important – and how you can use a family lawyer to make your loved ones’ lives easier in the future.
Marriage and Divorce
The term ‘family law’ is often used as a euphemism for divorce. Unfortunately, divorce rates in the US have hovered around the 50% mark for some time, which means that around half of the population is likely to encounter divorce over the course of their lives. And you cannot divorce a spouse without the assistance of a legal professional.
Divorces can be traumatic and contentious events. They might involve arguments over everything from the splitting of your assets to the custody of your children. They can bring about much heartache and pain. Legal professionals like divorce lawyer Sugar Land are there to try to hash out the most equable deal possible between two parties in a divorce – helping to end the deadlock and recriminations in the event of an unpleasant divorce.
Buying and Selling
Families aren’t necessarily in need of lawyers for the tragic moments only – sometimes, there will be cause to hire a lawyer in the event of a celebration or a purchase. For instance, if your family is buying a home for the first time, you’ll want to engage with a family lawyer who will help you to secure your home on a fair contract.
Likewise, a legal professional will help your family set up a business, and will help you to invest in stocks and shares, too. A lawyer will also help your family understand tax and make the most of the law so that you can protect your assets and grow your wealth. For all these reasons, a family lawyer can be incredibly useful in preserving your family’s wealth.
Asset Distribution
Most individuals across the US write a will when they reach a certain age. The will has been designed to help distribute the assets held under the deceased’s name fairly and equably amongst their offspring or loved ones. Often, a will is used as the final work of the deceased. It cannot be argued against: a will is final.
As such, when you’re reading a will in your family, it’s essential that you hire the services of a lawyer. Sometimes, the deceased will have selected a lawyer for you to work with, and the will may well be in their possession. In whatever case, you will need a lawyer to help you understand the legal details contained in the will. And, when you come to write your own will, you’ll need a lawyer to help you structure it, too.
These three significant areas of life are all moments when legal representation is important – for families and individuals going through major life events.