Going through a huge life change, such as a divorce, is painful for every family. The stress only worsens if conflicts over alimony, child custody, and child support arise. Hiring a family law attorney can be a valuable way to resolve the disputes that sometimes emerge as a marriage ends.
Often, people involved in family disputes may not hire a lawyer because they’re concerned about the cost or hope to handle the matter privately. But family issues are emotionally taxing and legally complex, so working with a compassionate family law attorney can ultimately be beneficial. It can also save you valuable money and time.
Let’s Look at the Top Five Reasons To Consider Hiring a Mississippi Family Law Attorney:
Experience and Legal Protection
A good family lawyer will have extensive experience resolving family disputes and a thorough understanding of Mississippi family law. Just like you wouldn’t hire a baker to fix your car, you wouldn’t hire a corporate lawyer to settle your child custody case. A family law attorney will provide sensitive and knowledgeable legal advice.
Hiring a family lawyer is especially important if your spouse or partner has hired a lawyer.
If the other side has retained counsel, they may try to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge. Having an attorney in your corner can protect you from exploitation.
A family law attorney will also have an objective view of the dispute. Family conflicts are emotionally charged and sometimes traumatic. With no emotional stake in the dispute, your attorney will provide an unbiased evaluation of the case and offer guidance, preventing you from making decisions out of anger, desperation, or fear.
Saving Money and Time
While it’s true that you will have to pay a family law attorney, a lack of legal representation could end up costing you more later.
When conflicts arise in a family case, the struggle often involves disputes over money. Naturally, both sides want to minimize what they have to pay and maximize what they can get. If the other side has legal counsel and you don’t, you run the risk of giving up more than you are entitled to or getting less than you are rightfully due.
Imagine you’re trying to determine how much you’ll be required to pay in alimony and child support during your divorce. Your family law attorney can work to reduce your financial obligations so that you pay a fair amount. Or, if you’re supposed to receive spousal and child support, your lawyer can work so that you are paid per Mississippi law.
Hiring a lawyer also protects you from administrative errors that could put your case back in court. If you make a filing error or fill out documents incorrectly, the judge reserves the right to exclude them, which could seriously hurt your case. A skilled family law attorney can prevent small mistakes from derailing your case, which will accelerate the legal process and reduce the fees you may be required to pay. The longer a case takes, the more expensive it will be.
Settling a Custody Dispute
Trying to get sole custody of your children can be a complicated and challenging process. The courts consider the safety and best interests of children a top priority when deciding which parent should have custody. A judge will typically be reluctant to disrupt your children’s living situation unless there has been a major change in family circumstances.
However, there are many reasons why a parent might want to get sole custody of their children, including:
- Their ex-spouse is moving far away.
- The children are in a dangerous living environment.
- Their ex-spouse is incarcerated.
- Their ex-spouse is not complying with court mandates.
When the children’s welfare is at stake, it’s essential to get a family law attorney on the case immediately. You need to know what Mississippi law says, your legal rights, and what claims you can make. Your lawyer will know what the court needs to see to prove why you deserve sole custody of your children.
Ordering Your Spouse to Pay Alimony or Child Support
Ex-spouses sometimes stop paying the alimony or child support the court ordered them to pay as part of their divorce agreement. This is a serious violation. If your ex-spouse has stopped making payments per your agreement, a family law attorney can take steps to resolve the issue.
Similarly, if you’re making the payments and experience a sudden financial hardship that renders you unable to pay the alimony and child support you owe, then your family lawyer can help you build a case for lowering your support payments.
Peace of Mind
Although there are certain family situations that get ugly, most people hope for a diplomatic and fair resolution to their family disputes. Finding the right lawyer can give you peace of mind that you’re working toward as peaceful a resolution as possible, but also keeping yourself protected from unfair legal attacks or attempts to sabotage your financial or personal wellbeing.
When you work with a Mississippi family law attorney at Derek L. Hall, PC, you get a solid advocate working exclusively for you. We take the time to listen to your concerns and propose solutions that work to preserve your family’s overall health and wellbeing.
Do we care? Yes.
Are we firm? Yes.
Are we fair? Always.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
