Monday, May 17, 2010

Termination of Parental Rights

Every state has different statutes about termination of parental rights; the topic is emotional and gut-wrenching for all involved. Termination can either be by voluntary or involuntary grounds because the goal is only to provide a child with the best possible chances in life by providing stability and support in the home. Birth parents and biological parents can each face a battle with termination of parental rights, but it is not something ever easy to face.

When deciding if a parent’s right should be terminated, there are many different things to take into consideration. Is there a clear cut amount of evidence that a parent is unfit or is it in the best interest to determine whether or not a parent child relationship is in the child’s best interest? Things like this need to be considered and proven before the relationship is severed, if the child is not safe, things need to drastically change as quickly as possible.

Each states responsibilities when considering cases of child neglect or child endangerment are very different. If a child is in danger from being returned into a home environment, it may be time to enact legal proceedings in order to protect the child’s best interest. Each state has its own guidelines and statutory considerations which will govern the determination, but ultimately the child is the only thing that matters.

The grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights will include things like failing to meet the child’s basic needs and much more. Other important considerations are severe or consistent neglect, abuse of other kids in the house, abandonment, long term mental illness issues and possibly substance abuse and addiction issues as well. A judge will make a determination on what is going to work best for the child and if severance of parental rights needs to be done, he or she will make the decision.

When considering everything there is to raising a child, some people are cut out for the job and others are simply not. The safety and welfare of the child are the only things that matter in the eyes of the courts and termination of parental rights can sometimes be the only viable option to consider when trying to protect a child from an abusive or unhealthy life.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

You Are Getting Divorced: What To Do?

When someone makes the heartbreaking decision to get a divorce, the reasons why do not matter so much as making sure the best attorney possible has been retained for the job of legal representation. All too often, a person will misguidedly think that the other party will work with them through certain important issues such as monetary or property division, alimony or child custody.

What happens is that a person will believe the other would not do anything to deliberately hurt them, but in matters of the heart and when getting a divorce, thinking in this way can lead to catastrophe and uncertainty.

If a woman has been a victim of domestic violence of any type during the marriage, it makes the chances of the former spouse being very volatile and angry, when confronted with a request to dissolve the marriage. It is made even worse when child neglect or issues of child custody are brought into the picture. Leaving things up to chance during the breakdown of a marriage and not engaging the services of a high quality attorney is a big risk, one that nobody should be prepared to make.

The emotions and frustration surrounding the issues of divorce or child custody are vicarious and plentiful. There may be issues which give cause for concern and a parent may need to do something drastic in order to protect the minor children. No parent wants to face the breakdown of the family, but the sad reality is that with divorce rates being as they are today, it is a reality many will face.

The decisions you make or fail to make during a divorce will have a direct impact on the outcome of the future you and possibly your children have. Nothing should be taken for granted and the other person should question everything going on in the situation. In order to avoid losing precious visitation or parental rights, it is a good idea to be as well prepared as possible and to seek the advice and representation of a lawyer.

For some people that are lucky enough to not have children and going through an uncontested divorce, it is still advisable to retain the services of an attorney. When going through any type of life change such as a divorce, it is important to leave nothing to question and to address every aspect, before it becomes a major issue in order to make it as easy and ensure it is done in the least stressful way possible.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Why You Need a Good Attorney When Adopting

When dealing with infertility, a couple may have tried and exhausted every single avenue possible. Sometimes it is just not in the cards for a couple to have a biological child and other resources need to be explored. Some of the options facing an infertile couple may be IVF, surrogacy, or other reproductive assistance methods. For some couples, another option would be checking into domestic adoption in order to have the family of their dreams.

In cases of a couple considering an adoption there are many questions and issues which need to be addressed. Perhaps the first initial step in the process is getting a legal referral and scheduling a consultation with a legal representative. Having a lawyer is the best way to approach a situation such as adoption; it removes all the guess work out of the process and makes a couple feel assured of the decision.

In cases of domestic adoption and depending upon the situation involving the birth mother and biological father, a legal representative can be the best person to handle any questions or concerns. Everyone has heard heartbreaking stories of couples using a surrogate and the situation can go horribly awry when left in an inept attorney. To avoid any complications and to make sure legal matters are handled in the best possible way, an attorney that specializes in family law is the way to go.

One of the first steps is to get in touch with a prospective adoption agency or if going the private route an attorney can make sure it is done in the right way. When it comes to adoption, a couple needs to make sure their rights and responsibilities are understood and observed. Not having any type of legal counsel is leaving the door open for a variety of different complications and this is something a couple will of course want to avoid.

Adoption is a joyous and life changing decision and for a childless couple, it is one of the most memorable occasions in life. Once termination of parental rights has been established and a couple has proceeded through the proper channels, they are ready to welcome a beautiful bundle of joy into their new family.


Friday, April 9, 2010

Do Not Wait -- Act Now and Get a Lawyer

Facing the fact that your marriage may be failing is a horrible reality that many individuals must face on a daily basis. Facing divorce is a horrific realization that unfortunately more than 50% of American couples will have to deal with. There are many different reasons why marriages end, but the saddest part of it all is that when two people cannot agree on even the most basic of decisions, the need for an attorney becomes readily apparent.

In some states, couples are required to wait a specific amount of time before filing for a divorce, but under special circumstances these requirements can be waived. In cases of abuse or other extenuating circumstance, a spouse may not be required to fulfill a time obligation. There are many, many factors which may influence a couple’s decisions and situation, consulting with a qualified attorney now will save many questions and possible heartache down the road.

In divorce cases, there may be issues concerning living arrangements, property division, alimony, and distribution of assets, health care, child custody and much more. No person considering divorce should ever have to face the unknown variables involving divorce without proper legal representation. Going into court without a qualified lawyer for presentation is a recipe for disaster and can end up costing a person everything that matters most in life.

When facing a situation involving family law issues, it can be hands down one of the most difficult and trying times in a person’s life. Few people fully grasp that when a marriage goes bad, there can be endless misery and devastation on the part of everyone involved. A spouse that was once kind and compassionate can suddenly turn aggressive and antagonistic, someone incapable of logical thinking or civility. Instead of trying to reason with an angry ex, it is best to leave it up to the courts to decide and having the services and reassurance of a high qualified divorce attorney can be a comfort.

When it comes to legal family law matters, it is best to retain a high qualified lawyer at the earliest possible date. While you may not realize it now, a divorce can make a once reasonable individual into a monster incapable of grasping that the situation is over and life must move on. If you are enduring a violent or unhappy marriage, get out now and find an attorney -- it is the best decision you will ever make.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Protect your Family's Rights

Your family is the most important thing in your life and when it comes to protecting your family, you will make sure they are taken care of and protected from harm. Having an attorney who knows first-hand the importance of protecting your family will make the difference between a compassionate attorney who is handling your family law case and an attorney who is only interested in making money. Emotions run high during family law matters, whether it is establishing parental rights, handling paperwork in paternity cases, visitation for young children, divorces and other child protection cases. Researching your attorney prior to retaining one will be the difference between one who really cares about your best interest or the attorney who considers your case only a number.

You can research the attorney who you are considering hiring, read about his family life and his background in family law matters, as well as take advantage of a free thirty minute consultation with him concerning your case and any questions you may have for him. Enjoy the fact that you have an attorney protecting your rights and your children’s rights 24 hours a day and who understands the emotional damage that family law matters can leave on adults as well as children. Confidential and confident is what you will discover when you hire that New York attorney that has the experience you need whether for a domestic violence case or matters pertaining to children.
Handling cases such as child endangerment, termination of parental rights when a child’s future or health are in danger, child custody, child support, child abuse, adoption and grandparent visitation in family disputes can take a while to resolve and during these times stress levels increase and emotions run high. Knowing that your attorney has your best interest in mind and is defending your rights and the rights of your family with the same compassion you would will help you sleep better at night and enjoy your time with your family as opposed to constant worry of your rights and family’s future outcome. Take advantage of the information available to you online and the opportunity to protect your family’s rights when you retain the attorney who has only your best interest in mind when working through these difficult times in your life. Protecting your family is your most important role in life and working with someone who has the same goals and compassion as you will reduce the stress you and your family are going through during this difficult time.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Family Legal Matters Handled with Compasion

Whenever you are dealing with family legal matters from divorce to child custody or visitation rulings you are dealing with emotions of adults and children as well as the future of your family. Working with an attorney who knows what being a father, husband and professional attorney through this difficult times can relieve you and your loved ones of some of the stress you are currently feeling. It is important that you work with an experienced attorney who is knowledgeable of all the possibilities and options you are entitled to when dealing with matters of the heart that family law concerns. An attorney who understands the affects of the outcome in your case can make a major difference when dealing with child custody the will determine the life style of your child or children.

Divorce, rather contested or not affects your life for years and will affect your life for the rest of your life if you have children involved. Knowing that you have an attorney on your side that has the best interest of all involved in mind at all times will give you the chance to enjoy your life as much as possible while dealing with family legal issues. Maybe you are caught in the middle of a domestic violence case that involves your family and children or maybe you have found yourself in the middle of grandparent visitation rights case. No matter what legal matter is effect the life of you and your family you can rest assured that you have a professional and dependable attorney working on your case at all times?

With years of knowledge and experience in paternity cases, child abuse, visitation rights, child neglect, child custody and child support you can rest assured that your attorney has a clear focus on your future as well as your child’s future and knows the damaging effects that the outcome of your case could have on your entire family. Enjoy working with a law firm that understands what is at stake for you and your family during the family legal case that is at hand. Taking time to understand and get to know your family and the situations that have come about will help in making sure your future and the future of your family is secure.