Family Law Attorney in Barrington

Family law addresses a wide variety of legal concerns that families often face. For example, if you’re heading toward a divorce, need a post-divorce modification, are interested in adopting a child, or need to address a child’s paternity, an experienced family law attorney in Barrington can help you with that.  

Divorce

Many people equate divorce with family law, but it’s a much broader area of the law than just divorce. Divorce, however, is an important component of family law, and family law addresses each of the terms of divorce, post-decree modifications, child custody concerns generated outside of marriage, and prenuptial agreements. 

The terms of divorce include:

• The division of marital property 
• Child custody arrangements, including both parental responsibilities and parenting time, and child custody modifications
• Child support and child support modifications
• Spousal maintenance and spousal maintenance modifications

Prenuptial agreements are contracts that couples create prior to marriage and that go into effect upon marriage, and they can guide how terms such as the division of marital property and spousal maintenance are resolved in the event of a divorce. 

Adoption

Adoption allows parents to raise children who are not biologically their own, and it is a richly rewarding experience that is also a complicated legal process, which can be exceptionally difficult to accomplish without professional legal counsel on your side. In order to adopt in the State of Illinois, all of the following must apply:

• You must be at least 21 years old. 
• You must be able to pass a criminal history check. 
•  You must have the financial means to support the child you are adopting. 

Further, you’ll need to have a home study conducted that helps the state ensure the environment in your home is suitable for raising a child.   

Paternity

In the State of Illinois – if the parents of a child are not married at the time of his or her birth – paternity (or the identity of the child’s father) is not established. In order to identify the father, either both parents must document paternity with the court, or paternity must be established via court order. The establishment of paternity comes with all the following benefits for the mother, father, and child:

• The father and child have the opportunity to bond. 
• The child is afforded the financial support of both parents.
• The child benefits from inheritance rights 
• The child is eligible for employer-based health insurance benefits, veterans benefits, and social security benefits that flow from the father (as applicable)
• The mother benefits from sharing the financial burden and from the parenting responsibility shouldered by the father 

Seek the Professional Legal Guidance of an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Barrington

If you are facing a legal concern that is addressed by family law, it’s an important matter that requires your careful attention, and having a savvy family law attorney in your corner is always the best approach. The trusted family law attorneys at the SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC, in Barrington recognize the serious nature of your legal issue and are standing by to help. To learn more, please don’t wait to contact us today.