Family Law Attorney Barrington

Family Law is a critical area of the law, which addresses the legal concerns that families often face. When your parental rights, for example, are affected, the matter is too important to leave to chance, and working with an experienced family law attorney in Barrington is in your best interest. 

Matters Common to Family Law

In addition to addressing the terms of a divorce and post-decree modifications, family law, which is a broad branch of the law, covers all the following concerns that families tend to face:

• Parental rights 
• Paternity
• Complicated divorces, such as contested divorces, high asset divorces, divorces involving businesses, and more
• Collaborative divorce
• Same-sex divorce

Paternity

In the State of Illinois, paternity – or the designation of a child’s father – must be established if the parents are not married or in a civil union when the child is born (or 300 days prior to the child’s birth). Outside of these instances (when the husband is presumed by the law to be the father), there are three ways to establish paternity, including:

• Both parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP). 
• A DNA test establishes paternity. 
• A court order establishes paternity.

Establishing paternity is advantageous for everyone involved for all the following reasons:

• The child receives the financial support to which he or she is entitled.
• The father and child are allowed the opportunity to bond and develop a close relationship. 
• The child is entitled to benefits that include (as applicable) the right to inheritance, the right to social security and/or veteran’s benefits, and health insurance coverage.

The Primary Terms of Divorce

Family law often focuses on the primary terms of divorce – whether the couple is going through a divorce, is seeking a post-divorce modification, or has related concerns outside of divorce. These terms include:

• Division of Marital Property – The assets that you and your spouse accumulate while you are married are considered marital property, and in the event of divorce, you will need to divide them between you in an equitable manner (in relation to the varied circumstances that make up your marriage).

• Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time – Parental responsibilities determine who will be making the overarching parenting decisions, such as those related to your children’s healthcare and education needs. Parenting time, on the other hand, determines how you and your children’s other parent will divide your time with your children.  
• Child Support – Child support ensures that both parents support their children financially (in relation to each parent’s financial means and to the amount of parenting time each parent has). 

• Alimony – Alimony comes into play only when one spouse is financially disadvantaged by the divorce, and the other has the means to help him or her gain greater financial independence. 

Turn to an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Barrington for the Help You Need

The trusted family law attorneys at SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC – proudly serving Barrington, Illinois – understand the serious nature of your concerns and are committed to skillfully advocating for your case’s most favorable resolution. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.