The attorneys at GillespieShields practice family, employment, civil, criminal, probate, appellate, and immigration law.

If you’ve ever been in a sticky family law situation, like trying to file for divorce, child custody, or alimony, it’s always best to consult with an attorney beforehand. Familiarizing yourself with the laws and potential outcomes of your case can help you make more informed decisions about how to proceed. Here are five signs that indicate it may be time to contact a family law attorney:

1. You May Need A Family Law Attorney If You’re Preparing To Get Married

A family law attorney can help you draft your prenuptial agreement.

It helps you prepare ahead of time and helps you understand laws that govern the family and marriage like:

• If the marriage dissolves due to circumstances beyond your control, it’s a good idea to learn about family law rules so you know what obligations you have.
• These are also useful if your marriage ends in divorce or the death of a spouse without warning

2. If You Need Help With A Domestic Partnership Agreement

A family law attorney can provide guidance and help you understand the terminology used in these agreements. They can also answer questions about what should be included in a domestic partnership agreement, such as how to divide assets upon separation or when it is appropriate to add provisions regarding children. 

In addition, they will represent your best interests throughout this process by providing legal advice on important issues that arise during negotiations between both parties. At the end of the day, an experienced family lawyer may save you from making mistakes when creating or negotiating a contract. Many lawyers offer free consultations so there’s no harm in asking for more information before hiring one!

3. If You’re About To Go Through Divorce

That’s a common question among people who are going through divorce proceedings. In fact, family law attorneys can help you in all sorts of ways when it comes to dealing with your divorce case. A family law attorney has specific training and knowledge of the laws that affect families, including marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.

Sometimes when going through a divorce there are legal issues that arise such as child custody or property rights which require specialized expertise from a knowledgeable family lawyer.

4. If Your Spouse Threatens To Hide Assets Before Filing For Bankruptcy

A family law attorney can help you determine what your best course of action is and they can also reassure you that this will not be an easy task for the other party. A family law attorney may advise contacting a bankruptcy attorney if it seems like there is no possible way to come up with a solution through negotiation or mediation as part of settlement negotiations. 

If all else fails, then filing for divorce in order to file bankruptcy jointly may be something you want to consider as well. You would need legal advice from both attorneys on how each process works so that everything runs smoothly and within the timelines set by the court system.

5. If You’re Going Through A Child Custody Case

Family law attorneys are there to help their clients with family issues. If you have any questions about child custody, or if you think your divorce is going poorly because of a lack of communication, it’s time to contact an attorney for guidance and support through this difficult process. Here are five signs that indicate when you should call someone who can provide legal advice for a child custody battle:

• You feel like the other parent is trying to punish you by keeping your children from seeing you regularly
• The other party isn’t following court orders when it comes to visitation times
• Your spouse isn’t filing proper financial disclosure paperwork before the trial even begins
• There has been domestic violence between spouses within the past two years
• Child custody proceedings just aren’t moving as quickly as you would like

Having an attorney to guide and support you can make a world of difference in your family law case. While their advice isn’t free, it is worth its weight in gold when it comes to the time and energy that they save you during this difficult process.

Family law attorneys can help by:

• Advocating for their client in court and preparing them well to represent themselves.
• Helping with negotiations, mediation, or collaborative family law case resolution approaches rather than going to trial.
• Providing the legal knowledge clients need when drafting agreements that both parties will be happy with long-term.

If you’re not sure whether or not to contact a family law attorney, these 5 signs may help you decide. It’s always best to talk with someone who can provide sound legal advice on your situation and we’re happy to do just that! Call us today for more information about our services and how we might be able to help. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Are You Looking for a Family Law Attorney You Can Trust?

The attorneys at GillespieShields are well-versed in a variety of different legal fields, ranging from family law to civil suits, employment disputes, and probate cases. Although we specialize in several areas of practice, our greatest passion is family law. We believe in giving families peace of mind no matter their situation, and we fight hard to maintain that peace. Whether you’re filing for dissolution or divorce, determining custody of your children, or thinking about adopting children, our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.  During our private, one-on-one consultation, we’ll take the necessary time to answer all of our questions surrounding Arizona’s family laws, your family’s unique situation, and the possible court outcomes. Contact us today for your consultation!

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The materials available on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.  You should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site without seeking legal or other professional advice. The information presented on this website may not reflect the most current legal developments.  No action should be taken in reliance on the information contained on this website and we disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this site to the fullest extent permitted by law.