Family Lawyers Clarksville TN

Every year, the Tennessee family courts handle thousands of family law cases. Family law attorneys are leading the fight in these cases. Family law attorneys guide clients through complex and emotionally charged legal issues.

If you are looking for a family law attorney to represent you, Hibbeler & Associates is here to help. Keep reading to learn more about family law and what you should know before you hire an attorney.

Family law issues involve those who matter most to you, and it is essential to take any matter that involves the family courts seriously. If you have more questions, reach out to our law firm directly. Contact the Law Office of Hibbeler & Associates for a free 30-minute case evaluation so we may professionally evaluate your needs and determine how we can assist you with your case.

What Are the Responsibilities of Family Law Attorneys?

What should you expect when you hire a family law firm? Family lawyers perform a variety of functions and offer various legal services. Below are three things you should expect a family law attorney to do.

Set Accurate Expectations

A family law attorney should help you set realistic expectations regarding your legal matter. Because family law involves sensitive and emotional issues, it is common for people to have strong feelings about what should happen.

Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that the courts do not have those same feelings. Therefore, having accurate expectations about how your matter will proceed through the family courts can make the process less stressful.

Represent Clients in Family Court

A family lawyer’s most important responsibility is representing clients in court. Some of the tasks involved in legal representation include filing motions, answering communications from the other party’s legal team, being physically present at hearings, gathering and evaluating evidence, questioning witnesses, and preparing statements for the court.

Educate Clients on Their Options

When you hire a family law attorney, you are hiring someone who should be knowledgeable and experienced in their field. A lawyer will be able to explain to you what the law means in terms of how you can understand it and educate you on the pros and cons of the different options so you can make an informed decision on how you want to proceed.

What Kinds of Cases Fall Under Family Law?

Family law is a broad category that encompasses many types of cases. Learn more about common family law issues below.

Divorce

Divorce is usually the most common legal matter people think of when thinking about family law courts. It involves legally ending a marriage, and several factors often overlap with other family law areas, such as child support and prenuptial agreements. However, one thing that separates divorce cases is the property division between spouses.

Child Custody

A child custody case involves decisions regarding who a child will live with and who will have legal decision-making power over that child’s life. Child custody is a common issue in divorces, but it is also something that many unmarried parents have to deal with.

When a child custody case is settled, there will be a court order — sometimes referred to as a parenting plan — that sets the legal parameters of the case. The parenting plan will usually name the residential parent, spell out how decisions involving the child will be made, and how the parents will split their time with the children.

Adoption

Adoption is a highly complex legal matter that the family courts handle. Adoption cases often involve several pieces, such as the legal termination of the biological parent’s rights, if necessary, and the finalization of the adoption order. Specific requirements may have to be satisfied, such as a home study of the prospective adoptive parents. Sometimes, there may be an extensive waiting period between the beginning of the adoption process before it gets finalized, so talk to a family law attorney about your situation so you can know what to expect.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that sets forth what will happen if a couple gets divorced. These documents are drawn up before the marriage. A postnuptial agreement is very similar but created after the marriage has already taken effect. Family law attorneys help draft prenuptial agreements. It may be tempting to draft your own.

Still, an attorney can ensure that the agreement is executed according to legal guidelines so that it does not get thrown out by the court if and when a divorce happens. Furthermore, having a family law lawyer assist you will safeguard your rights so that what you agree to is fair and reflects what you are entitled to receive should the marriage end.

Paternity

Paternity is a necessary type of family law case, as it is often the first step in settling child support and child custody for unmarried parents. In a paternity case, the courts determine legal paternity, which usually involves either a court-ordered paternity DNA test or a declaration of paternity. Once paternity has been determined, the father has legal rights, and the other legal issues can proceed.

How Much Does a Family Law Attorney Cost?

How much a family law attorney costs is one of the most common questions clients ask. You will want to know how much your family law case will cost so you can budget and plan accordingly. Nevertheless, most family law disputes cannot accurately be priced in advance.

Some things, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement, may be offered at a flat rate depending on what law firm you work with, but most issues are more complex than this.

In most cases, family law attorneys work on a retainer basis, meaning you pay an agreed-upon amount that covers a certain number of hours in advance.

For example, an attorney who charges $300 an hour and expects your case to take 10 hours of work might charge a retainer of $3,000. Once that money is used, the attorney fees will be based on the number of hours worked until the case is finished.

Generally, the longer a case takes, the more it will cost. Therefore, a complex custody dispute that takes months to resolve will be much more expensive than handling a divorcing couple with no kids who agree on all aspects of property division. It is a good idea to ask any attorney you are considering hiring about their fee structure and what they expect the case to cost at your initial consultation. However, remember that family law matters are often unpredictable and that this estimate is just a best guess.

When Should I Consider Hiring a Family Law Lawyer?

Many clients make the mistake of waiting before hiring a family law lawyer. Due to the personal nature of most family law matters, individuals often wait, hoping that the issues will resolve themselves.

Unfortunately, family law matters rarely resolve themselves, and waiting too long can result in negative long-term consequences, especially if the issues involve child support or custody cases. Instead, it is always best to hire a Clarksville family law lawyer as soon as a legal issue presents itself. Having skilled legal counsel can make all the difference in quickly resolving your family law issues.

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a family law lawyer is that they can thoroughly assess your needs and determine what legal strategies will provide the best results. A family law attorney can provide valuable insight into your case and help you understand your legal options, enabling you to make informed decisions.

Additionally, it is always in your best interests to hire an attorney as soon as an issue presents itself so they can get started on your case. Family law issues can be overly complex and often take considerable time to be resolved.

If you have a legal issue that you cannot resolve independently, contact our family lawyers in Clarksville, TN, immediately.

What Should I Ask Before Hiring a Family Lawyers Clarksville TN?

When consulting with a family law attorney for the first time as a new client, you should ask questions about their experience and how they have handled similar issues in past cases. Although family law attorneys handle various legal practice areas, some are more well-versed in specific areas such as divorce, child support, or custody rights.

Therefore, you want to be sure that your family law lawyer has the skills and experience to help you win your case.

Here are some questions to write down for your consultation include:

• How many of these cases have you been involved in?
• What is your experience with the local courts?
• What would your approach to this case be?
• How long should I expect this case to take?
• What are your payment terms?
• You may also want to ask if the attorney has client reviews you can review.

Regardless of your case’s family law legal issues, our Clarksville attorneys are passionately committed to helping you obtain a favorable outcome. If you want more information about the legal services the Law Office of Hibbeler & Associates can provide, contact our offices, and ask to schedule a free consultation with a Clarksville family lawyer who will gladly answer your questions.

Why Should I Choose the Law Office of Hibbeler & Associates to Help Me With My Family Law Matters?

Any family law matter, whether it involves adoption or divorce, can feel overwhelming to deal with alone. Our law office recognizes the emotional toll that family issues can have on clients.

The Law Office of Hibbeler & Associates has skilled Clarksville family law attorneys who understand the legal complexities of family law and know what it takes to get results. We offer clients high-quality family law representation, and our contact our dedicated legal team will work tirelessly to ensure you receive a favorable outcome.

Most individuals involved in family law cases want to resolve their issues quickly so they can move on with their lives. When you come to our Clarksville family law attorneys for help, we will work diligently to meet your legal needs and give you the peace of mind you deserve.

Unlike other family law attorneys who often focus on their profit margins, our family law and criminal defense firm takes pride in safeguarding our client’s rights and helping them begin the next chapter of their lives.

Our experienced legal advocates are proficient in handling family law matters that involve members of the armed forces. Contact the Law Office of Hibbeler & Associates at 931-236-2711 to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation so we may determine what legal options suit your legal challenges needs.