Learn About Family Law
Family law is a broad area of legal practice that addresses issues related to family relationships. These typically include matters of divorce, divorce-related issues such as asset division, child custody and support, domestic violence and abuse and adoption proceedings. While family law attorneys are certainly familiar with the full range of laws related to family issues, those who focus on a specific subset of those issues may refer to themselves using terms such as "divorce attorney," "adoption attorney" or "child custody attorney." However, for the purposes of being found by clients and targeting them based on their needs, the most accurate general term is simply "family law attorney . " Family law attorneys might handle most or all of the concerns related to particular cases, or they might collaborate with specialists in other areas of law to represent their clients. Their areas of specialty might include administration, property, tax and bankruptcy law.
While family law generally encompasses matters such as divorce, child custody and support, not all cases make it to litigation. Some issues might be successfully addressed through negotiation and settlement. Some parties combine their mediation agreement with a separation agreement or a prenuptial agreement. Elizabethtown residents faced with family law issues should consult with an attorney to discuss their case as early in the process as possible.
Benefits of a Local Family Lawyer
When considering your options among family law attorneys, it is easy to overlook the importance of working with someone familiar with local courts and proceedings. Even if an attorney has a statewide reputation as a skilled divorce lawyer, it generally will not do you much good in your particular case if this person is not familiar with the particular county court system where your proceedings will be held.
The distinction is especially important in Kentucky family law cases, where a divorce will probably be heard by a Judge in the local District Court, where the circuit court (where appeals from the district court proceed) may be held through a central location rather than "on the circuit." Local attorneys in these situations often have less room for error than statewide superstars – and certainly less than statewide firms – because a contract dispute or other commercial matter may have the parties involved "venue shopping" to try to find a sympathetic Judge. When it comes to divorce, the local District Court Judge is the only person you’ll get to open and close the results of 20+ years of marriage.
For this reason, and many others, Cincinnati based Smith & Hopen, LLC has a strong presence throughout Central Kentucky. We are able to competently and compassionately represent our clients when going through the stressful process of separation and family law matters, including divorce. Whether in Elizabethtown, Springfield, Frankfort, Shelbyville or elsewhere throughout the Greater Cincinnati area.
Traits of a Family Law Lawyer You Can Count On
When it comes to finding the best family law attorney, Elizabethtown, KY is home to many prominent legal professionals. In order to help you determine which lawyer would be the best fit and assist you the most with your case, consider the following qualities: Experience: If you want the lawyer who is most qualified to handle your case, look for one that has plenty of experience in family law. While all lawyers have to go through law school and take the bar exam before practicing, seasoned lawyers will build up significant experience by working on cases similar to yours. This experience is invaluable when presenting your case and pursuing a just outcome. Communication: While wealthy, high-profile clients have a myriad of ways to get noticed by lawyers, such as word-of-mouth and being able to afford specialized service, you may not have the same luxury. If you call a law office, you should not be put on hold for an unreasonable amount of time or passed around in circles if your representative is unavailable. A law firm should be accessible, and you should feel confident that each representative you’re in contact with is aware of your case and following it closely. Results: While you may have heard of a law firm that has been in business for a long time, you should also see if clients are actually happy with the outcomes of their cases. Keep an eye out for reviews that praise and recommend the business, and avoid those that complain about the results of the case or the way attorneys treated their current or former clients. In Elizabethtown, KY, there are many highly qualified family law attorneys who can handle your case, but it’s up to you to dig deeper and find the best fit.
How to Find a Family Law Attorney in Elizabethtown
Once you have a list of potential attorneys, it is important to do your research and narrow down your choices. One key step is to check online reviews and ratings. Websites like Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell provide ratings and reviews for lawyers based on client feedback. Reviews can provide insight into an attorney’s communication style, work ethic, and approach to cases. Consider the number of reviews provided. If you see a lot of reviews that are more than a year old, it may be a sign that the lawyer doesn’t have many active clients. Look for reviews that were left recently to get the best idea of how that lawyer works with clients today. If a lawyer has dozens of reviews and a high rating, it might be a good idea to contact them. If the attorney has few reviews and a low rating, look elsewhere. Additionally, it is always a good idea to schedule a consultation, in person or via phone, before hiring a lawyer. This will give you the opportunity to discuss your situation with them and ask any questions you may have about their practice. It will also allow you to gauge whether or not you would be comfortable working with that lawyer. Finally, you may want to ask friends and family for referrals to lawyers they have used in the past. Testimonials can help get rid of a few lawyers who could be unworthy of your time, money, or trust. Your social circle or family can help you find a lawyer who best matches your needs.
How a Family Law Attorney Can Help Your Case
An experienced family law attorney in Elizabethtown, KY, can not only help you understand the process but also what your options are since every situation is unique. They will represent you in front of and against the other party as needed and often provide representation at court hearings, depositions and even mediation, if necessary, as the divorce process can sometimes be lengthy . While legal support is the ultimate goal, the attorney will also advise you on how to achieve that goal by identifying strategies that will protect your and your family’s best interests as well as determine whether a settlement could be possible. Ultimately, they will support you through every step of the process to ensure your case is represented fairly.
Fees for Family Law Attorneys
The financial aspect of legal services is often the most pressing concern for clients. Family law issues, from divorce to child custody and everything in between, can be particularly emotionally and financially draining. So, what are the typical costs associated with hiring a family law attorney in Elizabethtown, KY? The most common method of charging for legal work is the billable hour. This simply means that the lawyer charges a set fee for every hour of work he or she spends on your case. While this system has its drawbacks, the main benefit is that you only pay for what you use. For example, if you hire an attorney at $250 per hour, if the case takes 10 hours, you will pay $2,500 total. If it takes 30 hours, you will pay $7,500. It is always a good idea to get an estimate so you know what you are getting into. Perhaps the most notable drawback to this system is that clients obviously want to spend as little time as possible with their attorneys, which can lead to bad decisions in the long run. Cut corners, especially with family law matters in Elizabethtown, are not a good idea. It is also important to stay fair and be prepared for court appearances in particular. Doing the necessary prep work can save you significant money in the long run. Generally speaking, family law attorneys in Elizabethtown, KY will not overcharge, so there is generally no need to worry about billing surprises. More and more lawyers are opting to charge flat fees instead of by the hour. In this situation, the client pays a set amount for the services rendered, regardless of how much time the lawyer spends on the case. This can provide clients some much needed financial relief. Beware that depending on the circumstances, such a system could lead to longer times in court, as the attorney may not be as inclined to agree with the judge the first time if it means not getting extra billable hours. For flat rate services, you should also make sure what that fee includes. Will it cover everything? Is there some sort of retainer? Be clear on what you are paying for so you do not face any last-minute surprises.
Common Questions
How long do I have to file a case?
In general, there are some limitations on how long you have to file a case. In Kentucky, however, there is no statute of limitations for filing divorce. In other cases, such as those involving guardianships, there are statutes of limitations which limit the period of time in which to file a case. For instance, if you are filing a Petition for Child Support, you must file within five years of the date that child turned 18.
Do I have to go to court if I file a case?
The answer to this question is often that it depends. In an emergency proceeding for a domestic violence order of protection, there is often a court date for which both parties are required to appear. In other cases, the judges often schedule a case conference, a brief appointment with a family law attorney to determine if there are any contested issues , or if it can be settled without having to go to court. From there, a case will be scheduled for a case management review in front of the judge to determine how long it will take for the case to get completed. From there, the case often settles either before or after going to court. Often, clients are able to collaboratively plan out their life post-divorce without having to relitigate their issues in front of a judge.
When will my case settle?
That is a question that lawyers, and clients alike, want to know the exact answer to. But that is not a question that is easily answered. Every case is different, and often it is difficult to answer that question without actually working through the case. In some cases, clients are able to settle in a single session. In other cases, people fight through each issue before eventually coming to a resolution. Each settlement varies based on individual circumstances.