Family law encompasses a wide range of topics and is one of the most impactful fields in the legal industry for everyday people. It frequently deals with difficult and sensitive personal situations that require an attorney who is both compassionate and dedicated to your case. Many people will want to handle family affairs themselves without bringing a stranger into the mix, but this is rarely a good idea. An attorney with extensive experience in family law will know the best legal strategy for your case, can provide you with legal representation, and will fight to protect your rights no matter what family law issue you face.
At Tommalieh Law, our dedicated legal team has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you make an informed decision for your case, regardless of what family law matter you are dealing with. We will fight to protect your rights, build the strongest possible case, and work toward a favorable outcome for you, which will allow you to focus on everything else requiring your attention during this stressful time. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.
When You Should Hire a Family Law Attorney
The term family law covers many different facets of family life. There could be any number of reasons to work with a family law attorney, each requiring a different approach. Some of the most common include:
You've Decided to File for Divorce
Making the decision to file for divorce is always difficult. It is rarely a decision made quickly, but rather after months or even years of stress and attempts at other solutions. Whether you are facing a simple or complex divorce process, one of the best moves you can make is to hire a qualified divorce attorney.
Your lawyer will guide you through the process from start to finish, answer any questions you have about how to proceed, ensure that you file any necessary paperwork correctly the first time, and represent you during your negotiations and trial if it comes to it. This will help take some of the stress from the situation and allow you to focus on your family situation and getting things taken care of at home.
Child Custody Issues
Child custody is often the most contentious part of any divorce proceeding. Both parents usually aim to maximize their time with the children and can have a hard time ceding parenting time, holidays, or vacations to the other parent.
A talented family law attorney will be able to negotiate on your behalf and create a strategy to argue your case in court to fight for full custody or as close to it as possible.
Child Support Issues
Child support can be another emotionally tumultuous area of family law. While many couples are able to successfully negotiate a payment plan that works for both parties, it can still be beneficial to have a lawyer present. This can ensure that any agreement reached is in compliance with child support laws and guidelines in the state and won't be turned down by the judge.
If you are unable to reach an agreement with the other parent you will definitely want the representation of a talented child support lawyer. They will fight to keep payment plans beneficial for you and make sure no aspect of it violates your rights. You are far more likely to get the best child support plan for your circumstances if you have qualified legal representation.
Alimony Agreements
Another common form of compensatory payments following a divorce, alimony payments can be difficult to agree on. This payment helps cover an individual who was financially dependent on their spouse during marriage. This can offer them the opportunity to recover from lost career development and opportunities during the marriage.
Working with an attorney will help you obtain the best possible result for you, regardless of whether you are making or receiving alimony payments. They will also tell you whether your expectations are realistic and can keep you from wasting your time on outlandish efforts.
Types of Family Law Cases Our Firm Takes
We have experience in a wide range of family law topics at Tommalieh Law. Our talented legal team will take on cases involving:
Divorce
Divorce is frequently a complicated and messy process for many couples. Even amicable divorces can take time to come to a complete agreement on. If the married couple cannot reach an agreement on any aspect of the divorce it can often become a lengthy and complicated process.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in negotiating settlements and agreements that are favorable for our clients. We understand that most couples want the divorce process to run as quickly and simply as possible to allow them to move forward with their lives and we will strive to make your case as stress-free as possible. Regardless of the situations surrounding your divorce, whether it is contested or uncontested, you will want the representation of a skilled attorney at Tommalieh Law.
Child Support
Child support agreements are often the most difficult part of the divorce process for couples to navigate. It can easily be the wedge that drives both parties apart during an otherwise civil and easy separation. Having an experienced family lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you get the best possible agreement for your situation can make an enormous difference in the end result.
Child support guidelines are established based on what is considered necessary and reasonable for the continuation of the lifestyle of the minor children or child. These are rarely deviated from significantly unless it can be proven to the court that the unique situations surrounding the family require it.
The talented legal team at Tommalieh Law has the experience, knowledge, and dedication you will need on your side to reach a favorable outcome for the case.
LGBT Divorce
Legally there is no distinction between the divorce process for same-sex couples and anyone else. It is still important, however, for you to choose an attorney you are comfortable with to serve as your legal representative. Our divorce lawyers at Tommalieh Law have experience assisting clients in the LGBT community through their divorce process. We understand the stress you will be under during this difficult time and will work with you to make this transition as quick and easy as possible.
Related Content: Child Custody For LGBT Parents
Modification orders
The majority of divorce decrees set by an Illinois court are absolute. That is to say that once entered they cannot be altered. There are, however, a number of areas that can be adjusted if an appropriate change in circumstances calls for it. Commonly, these include child support, alimony or spousal maintenance, and child custody agreements. It is the responsibility of the party seeking a modification to an existing order to show a "substantial change in circumstance" and demonstrate why that change justifies an alteration to the existing agreement.
Our experienced Chicago order modification lawyers at Tommalieh Law will help you build an aggressive argument around your case and present it to the courts. We will protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome for you.
How to Find the Right Family Law Attorney
Whether you have decided to file for divorce, or need to change the terms of existing agreements with your ex-spouse, the first thing you should do is find the right family law attorney to work with. In most cases, you will have plenty of different lawyers to choose from, and finding the one that fits best for you is an important decision. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available today to help you sift through your options and make your decision.
- Ask friends and family - if you know anyone who has needed a family lawyer ask if they would recommend their services. Referrals are a great way of finding an attorney you will be comfortable working with.
- Check online reviews - there are plenty of dedicated websites for attorney reviews and referrals. Look through these to see what past clients have said and use the information you find to narrow down your choices.
- Interview your shortlist - when you have a few potential attorneys lined up schedule an appointment with each of them. Most family lawyers will offer a free initial consultation to look over your case and you can use this opportunity to interview them as well. Write down the questions you would like to ask and take that list to the appointment with you. Be sure they are clear in their answers and can break down their thoughts on your case, their current caseload, their openness to attorney/client communication, and their fee structures. You won't want any surprises with these.
- Make your final selection - after you have interviewed the attorneys on your list the only thing left is to pick the one that stood out the most to you. Make your selection and you can get started working your way through your case!
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Firm Today
Family matters can quickly become trying legal issues. The help of a skilled attorney with legal experience in family law can help ease the burden on you significantly. Whether you are preparing to file your divorce papers or change an existing court order governing support payments or allocation of parenting time, our experienced family law attorneys at Tommalieh Law are prepared to help.
Our dedicated legal team has experience in all different areas of family law and knows the level of commitment it takes to get a favorable result for our clients. We also know how difficult these situations can be and treat each of our clients with the compassion and respect they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation so we can begin building an action plan for your unique circumstances!