When you’re dealing with a personal family matter and are seeking legal representation, you may be wondering what exactly is considered family law? By definition, family law is a branch of law that deals with matters associated with the family including divorce, establishing paternity, child custody, child and spousal support, property division, and much more.
Family law is a broad branch of law that can cover many different things. Keep reading as we discuss what is considered family law and learn more about our family law firm.
Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage
Divorce is one branch of family law service that The Kuhl Law Firm, LLC provides. Divorce is the legal process of dissolving a marriage. From the initial filings to start the case to the entry of a final judgment, as well as all the issues of custody, parenting time, child and spousal support, and property division (among others) in between, our team will handle your entire case from start to finish.
The decision to end a marriage is never an easy one and it affects the entire family from the two individuals divorcing, to children and even the pets. Divorce can either be contested or uncontested. A contested divorce is when one or both of the spouses can’t agree on a certain variable that pertains to their case and relies on the court to decide for them. An uncontested divorce is when both parties agree on issues that pertain to their case.
Whether your divorce is contested or uncontested, our team has decades of experience with both and will help you every step of the way.
Spousal Maintenance
A component of many divorce cases is spousal maintenance. Spousal maintenance, or alimony, is the financial obligation that one spouse must pay the other to support them before, during, and after a divorce is final. It exists to assist the spouse with the lower income either temporarily, short-term, or long-term.
Spousal maintenance is an important branch of family law as it assists the spouse with a lower income so they can afford certain expenses while they job search, finish their education, or any other factor that deems them unable to support themselves following the divorce. Contrary to what the big and silver screens often portray, it’s gender-neutral, so women and men can receive spousal maintenance.
Paternity Actions
Paternity actions are another branch of family law that we handle here at The Kuhl Law Firm, LLC. Paternity actions can involve establishing paternity including paternity testing, custody, and child support. Paternity actions often arise when there is a question of the paternity of a child, but also when unmarried parents simply do not have a set parenting schedule.
Whether you’re the mother of the child seeking child support or a set schedule, or if you’re the putative father seeking to establish custody and more legal rights as a father, our law office can help. Our team of attorneys and expertly trained staff is dedicated to helping you resolve any paternity actions that may arise.
Child Support/Custody Agreements
Another branch of family law involving children is child support and custody agreements, which sometimes go hand in hand with a divorce case, but may also be standalone cases. The court’s focus is the best interest of the child or children and custody and child support are carefully considered by the court.
Whatever the case, we’re here to help guide you through your legal or physical custody case and can assist with custody agreements and child support. There are many different variables and guidelines when it comes to child support and custody arrangements – we’ll help you every step of the way.
Adoptions
Adoptions are another branch of family law that we provide service for. Adoption is when an adult legally assumes the role of a parent including physical and legal custody of a child. Adoptions can include scenarios like placing a child for adoption with a family, when birth parents are deceased, or when a stepparent chooses to adopt their stepchild.
There are many different branches of family law including divorce, spousal maintenance, paternity actions, child support/custody agreements, and adoptions. Many variables will contribute to the outcome which is why it’s important to seek legal representation from a reputable family law attorney in Lee’s Summit like The Kuhl Law Firm, LLC.
If you’re currently seeking legal representation for any family law matter, the family law attorneys at The Kuhl Law Firm, LLC can help. We’re dedicated to the practice of family law and can help guide you through any family law matter keeping your best interests in mind. With over fifty-four years of combined legal experience, our family law firm is comprised of a team that’s skilled in both negotiation and litigation, handling family law matters from the most complex to the most straightforward.
We have offices in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Leawood, Kansas (consultations by appointment only). In addition to our two physical locations, our firm’s family and divorce attorneys have practiced in Jackson, Clay, Cass, Lafayette, Platte County, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas. Contact our family law firm today to schedule a consultation – we’re able to meet in person or face-to-face via Zoom.