Guide to Finding New York Family Lawyer

Finding a New York family lawyer to represent you may seem like an overwhelming challenge. So many family lawyers in New York are available that they may seem impossible to choose from. Perhaps you're not even sure if you need a family lawyer in New York but would like to see what kinds of legal issues New York family lawyers could help you with.

This guide will help you to understand the role of family lawyers in New York and how a family lawyer in New York can assist you with legal problems, as well as giving you an easy way to find a New York family lawyer for an initial consultation.

Pre-Nuptial Agreements with New York Family Lawyers

If you want to protect your assets before getting married, a family lawyer in New York can help you to draft a pre-nuptial agreement. You may also want to ask New York family lawyers to examine a pre-nup that you have been given. Pre-nuptial agreements can be emotionally difficult, and family lawyers in New York are experienced in helping couples negotiate an agreement that strengthens their marriage bond.

Divorce with New York Family Lawyers

If your marriage is ending, New York family lawyers can help you to dissolve your marriage and represent you in divorce proceedings. Having a New York family lawyer assist with your divorce means that your wishes will be respected and your side will be heard clearly by the divorce court judge.

Family lawyers in New York see many divorce cases, and your family lawyer in New York can advise you as to your legal rights and responsibilities prior to filing for divorce. You may wish to separate, rather than remain divorced, or you may be concerned about the distribution of your property. A family lawyer in New York can sort out your legal options and help you choose the path that is right for you.

Child Custody and Visitation Agreements

One of the most contentious issues in a divorce is child custody. Family lawyers in New York can help you seek sole or joint custody of your children. Your family lawyer in New York can advise you about the various options the state of New York offers for child custody and visitation.

If you divorced some time ago and wish to change your custody or visitation arrangements, a New York family lawyer can help you re-negotiate in front of a family court judge. Talking to family lawyers in New York about your custody arrangements may help you to get custody back from an abusive or neglectful ex-spouse.

Child Support

Whether you are a custodial or non-custodial parent, child support may be an issue you need to discuss with family lawyers in New York. Your family lawyer in New York can help you to enforce a child support agreement as a custodial parent. If your ex-spouse is now making more money, your New York family lawyer may also be able to increase the amount of child support you are receiving. Non-custodial parents may be able to use New York family lawyers to reduce child support costs.

Adoption

Adoption is an exciting event in any family, but you need a New York family lawyer to help you make sense of the adoption process and file the necessary paperwork so that your adoption goes smoothly. Family lawyers in New York can assist with domestic and international adoptions.

Whether you are adopting via the state foster care system, a private agency, or a private individual, you can find New york family lawyers to make your adoption process easier. Your family lawyer in New York will understand the ins and outs of state and federal adoption laws and can help you from the beginning of the adoption process until you take your new child home.

Domestic Violence

If you have been abused in your home, a family lawyer in New York can help you understand your options. Even if you are an immigrant who arrived in the United States to marry an American, you may be eligible to stay in the country if you find a New York family lawyer to help you through the court system.

Family lawyers in New York work with domestic violence victims to get them restraining orders and help them pursue their full range of legal rights. If you are a domestic violence victim, New York family lawyers can help you figure out what your next move is.

Finding New York Family Lawyers

If you need to find a family lawyer in New York, you may feel overwhelmed at all the options. Each New York family lawyer has different specialty areas and the first several New York family lawyers that you find in the phone book or on the internet may have offices far away from you.

To reduce the hassle of finding a New York family lawyer, you can use the New York state bar's lawyer referral service. This service will help you find family lawyers in New York who meet your needs. When you call the service, you will have to answer questions about what you need a family lawyer in New York for, and then you will be given contact information for a New York family lawyer.

New York family lawyers participating in the lawyer referral program agree to charge no more than $35 for your first half-hour consultation. You can consult with more than one New York family lawyer this way to find one that is right for you.

Your First Consultation with a New York Family Lawyer

New York family lawyers will give you an initial consultation to help you decide whether to hire them. You can ask a New York family lawyer any questions you may have at this first consultation. Write your questions for your New York family lawyer down before you visit so that you don't forget them.

Bring a pen and paper to consultations with any New York family lawyers you decide to visit—this way, you can write down notes to help you decide which family lawyers in New York to hire. Pick a family lawyer in New York whose fees you can afford and who seems like they offer a combination of experience and personality that will work for your case.