Ironically, the month of February is the month with the most divorce filings. Marriage and divorce were once very private matters, and during the early years of America, divorce was extremely rare – this was partly due to the fact that obtaining a divorce decree required legislative action, a process that was both costly and time-consuming. However, modern American divorce rates are high, and filing for divorce is a very public and accepted process.
According to a study released in August of 2012, the divorce rate among couples who divide household chores is twice as high as those in which the wife handles all of the housework. Whatever your reason for divorce is, if you’re a married couple with children, and are considering a divorce, seeking the assistance and guidance of family practice lawyers is very beneficial, and is highly recommended. Family practice lawyers are certified and specialize in family law, otherwise known as collaborative law. Family law is a legal process that enables couples who have decided to separate or end their marriage to work with their lawyers and, on occasion, other family law specialists in order to avoid the uncertain outcome of a court divorce settlement. The process of family law is typically handled outside of court, and is used to achieve a settlement that best meets the specific needs of both parties and their children without the underlying threat of contested litigation.
Ending a marriage through a family law divorce is a voluntary process that is initiated when both parties signs a contract (called the participation agreement), binding each other to the process, and disqualifying their respective lawyer’s right to represent either one in any future family related litigation. This collaborative divorce process can be used to facilitate a broad range of family issues, including child support, child custody, visitation rights, and disputes between parents and the drawing up of pre and post-marital contracts. You can also use family law for paternity establishment, a legal process used for determining the legal father of a child. Most married couples seeking a divorce, who have a children to consider in the process, can benefit tremendously by using family practice lawyers and the collaborative law process.
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