In legal cases involving relationship and familial matters, family law solicitors act as negotiators, legal representatives and judicial advisers. Matters can range from premarital contracts to filing for divorce. Lawyers work out agreements between parties regarding the residence of children and retention of marital property. In some cases, lawyers must also handle accusations of abuse.
A person with substantial valuables may hire a lawyer to implement a prenuptial contract. This contract is agreed upon by both parties before the wedding takes place. It serves to predetermine the distribution of current and future possessions, should the relationship end.
When a couple agrees to dissolve the marriage, each person engages a solicitor to properly file the necessary documents with the court. A lawyer will recommend and negotiate fair terms of the dissolution and guide the client through the legal process. This includes explaining the procedure to a client, as well as ensuring the person is fully aware of lawful obligations.
The division of marital assets is a common dispute in many divorce cases. The solicitor negotiates with the other party to come to a fair agreement for splitting property, furniture and investments. The lawyer also establishes a division of remaining debts, such as payment of an outstanding mortgage or other loans or debts.
Another battle that becomes bitter during divorce is the custody of children. Other parties, such as grandparents are often denied access by one or both parents, and are forced to hire a lawyer to protect the rights of the grandparents to visit the children. Lawyers for each parent negotiate who the children should live with, and set reasonable access for the other parent.
In cases that involve violence against a spouse or child, family law solicitors file orders of protection with the court on behalf of the victim. The accused perpetrator may defend against the charges, and the lawyer will gather evidence to support a false claim of abuse. In other instances, when the abuse is not denied, the lawyer will negotiate a reasonable course of action, such as counselling or supervised access to children. Speacialist Manchester Solicitors
