Family Law Attorneys in Asheville, NC Can Defend Your Rights
Family law is a complex legal area that covers an array of issues. From adoption planning to property division during a divorce, anything involving familial relationships creates unique legal challenges. North Carolina courts have guidelines they follow in such situations, and if you want your best interests represented during these matters, it’s ideal to have a family law lawyer in Asheville, NC on your side. This can make or break your case when dealing with any legal issue.
At Craig Associates PC, you’ll work with an experienced attorney serving western North Carolina and beyond. Our law office is dedicated to helping our clients’ cases reach a positive conclusion. The family lawyers in our practice understand the emotions involved in these cases, so you’ll receive empathetic representation whether you’re looking to adopt or going through the divorce process. Contact us today for a consultation to learn how we can help.
Do I Need a Family Law Lawyer?
If you’re considering hiring an Asheville family law practice, you’ve probably asked yourself whether you actually need an attorney. After all, people represent themselves in legal matters every day in America. The important thing to understand, though, is that these individuals are hindering themselves. Statistics consistently show that individuals represented by a legal professional reach better outcomes than those representing themselves.
There are a variety of family law issues you may encounter that make working with an attorney advisable. For instance, changing your will and other estate planning can be extremely complex if you’ve spent years sharing finances with a soon-to-be-former spouse. Similarly, there are many legal hurdles — such as contested adoptions and revocation — that can arise during the adoption process. On top of this, a new adoption can raise issues of child custody and support.
A family law case can become even more difficult if issues of domestic violence, restraining orders, hidden assets, and other problems are involved. Even if your case seems fairly straightforward, though, it never hurts to seek out legal advice. Even if you choose to not secure representation, you’ll gain a better understanding of what you’re up against by sitting down for a consultation.
Child Custody Arrangements After Adoption
One particularly complex area of family law involves child custody after adoption. At Craig Associates PC, we can help with every step of the adoption process. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as just filling out a few documents and proving you’ll be a loving parent. And even after an adoption is approved, extra steps may be necessary to ensure all parents have legal custodial rights. This was once an extremely difficult process for same-sex relationships, but with LGBTQ+ marriage rights now protected by law, things have been simplified drastically.
Still, both straight and LGBTQ+ couples should schedule a consultation with a law office to get a better idea of what’s ahead. When two individuals are interested in adopting a child, securing parental rights for both is essential. Not only will this ensure that both parents can make important decisions for their child, but it also ensures equitable treatment if a custody case should arise later. Being proactive in family law matters can help avoid an array of difficult legal issues down the road.
Equitable Distribution of Property After Divorce
Family law deals with a variety of legal problems, and this includes estate planning during or after a divorce. North Carolina requires equitable distribution of properties following the dissolution of a marriage, but it’s not as simple as splitting everything “down the middle.” In fact, there may be several assets that one spouse has no claim over. If you’re changing your estate planning following a divorce, you’ll also need to consider issues like child support if you have any children.
To put it simply, changes to your financial plans following separation or divorce can be complex legal issues. There are also major implications regarding domestic partnerships — which are recognized in some parts of the state but not others. An estate planning attorney with North Carolina family law experience can prove invaluable when you’re facing any of these legal issues. Of course, not all changes to an estate stem from negative life experiences. For instance, a successful adoption may mean it’s time to update your will!
Schedule your initial consultation with Craig Associates PC to see if an attorney can offer effective advocacy in your situation.
Family Law Matters Involving Domestic Violence
Even when family law issues seem straightforward, accusations of domestic violence can change everything. For instance, an individual with such a charge on their record may find it more difficult to get child custody. Of course, there are also unscrupulous individuals who use false allegations for an advantage during divorce proceedings. If you’re falsely accused, it can make arguing against the other parent more difficult. Unfortunately, it can even affect your ability to adopt or engage in other activities later in life.
North Carolina courts will try to provide justice in every instance. Unfortunately, they won’t always have all the pertinent information presented to them. This is why it’s ideal to have a legal representative on your side. Whether you’re experiencing domestic violence or falsely accused, having an advocate can help you better understand your situation and what the law says. And if you’re dealing with violence and need help with financial plans to get away, speaking with an estate planning attorney can make you better prepared for your future.
Choosing a Family Law Attorney in Asheville, NC
Whether you’re seeking a modification of child support or your first adoption as a new married couple, there is no shortage of family law attorneys in Asheville to choose from. With so many options, making the right choice may seem like a daunting process. This is understandable — particularly since not every lawyer working in this legal arena handles every family law case. By using the following strategies, though, you can make the right decision from the start when choosing an attorney.
- Look for experience: Find yourself an attorney with extensive family law experience. Don’t let a suave talker convince you they can handle a case they’re simply unprepared for. North Carolina attorney Chris Craig had nearly 200 family law cases placed on his desk within weeks of starting his first job in a law office. He’s strongly advocated for his clients ever since.
- Check Google reviews: You’ll never know whether an attorney will help reach a conclusion in your best interests until you work with them. Fortunately, you can still get a good idea of whether they’ll be a strong legal advocate by checking their Google reviews. You check restaurant reviews before eating out, so why not legal professionals?
- Find a local lawyer: You’ll find family lawyers who brag about working in this practice area in several states. While this certainly showcases a certain level of experience, you want an attorney who works primarily with families locally. This means they have a better understanding of jurisdictional law and have relationships with local officials.
While it’s possible to find an excellent attorney without utilizing these strategies, there’s no debate that these simple steps will improve your odds of finding great legal representation. You should seek out a lawyer with an established reputation in Western North Carolina, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Craig Associates PC. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation. We focus heavily on adoption and estate planning, but regardless of the family law issue you’re facing, we may be able to help.
Contact a Family Law Lawyer in Asheville Today
Dealing with any legal matters on your own can be a daunting process. Unfortunately, this is even more challenging when you’re going through family law issues. This is true regardless of the desired end result. Even in situations where the outcome is a happy one — such as the adoption of a first child — the legal process required to reach this point is complex and tedious. This is why seeking out formal legal advice is a wise move when dealing with any family law issue.
At Craig Associates PC, our legal professionals are dedicated to getting you the best outcome possible. Whether this means altering your estate planning following a divorce (or after a new adoption) or pushing through your adoption paperwork, you’ll have an experienced legal professional on your side that’s ready to help. Contact us today by calling (828) 258-2888 for a consultation. With the help of a family law lawyer in Asheville, you’ll have a better chance of securing a positive outcome.