What Do Family Lawyers Do?

A family lawyer in New York can help with various cases pertaining to family matters. They work in Family Court and the Supreme Court depending on the needs of the case. There are also things that a family lawyer can do that may prevent a case from going to court.

In order to understand what family attorneys do, you need to know who their clients are. The types of cases they work on will also help clarify what their work entails.

Whom Do Family Lawyers Represent?

Lawyers who work in family law don’t just work with families who are going through a divorce. They can help a variety of people with different cases that are heard in Family Court. They can represent nearly anyone with a specific family matter, from children to young people to adults.

Children and Adolescents

A lawyer who focuses on family law can help children and families when they are going through the adoption process. They may also work with child protective cases in situations where there is suspected child abuse or neglect by Child Protective Services. Family attorneys also help young people involved in juvenile cases.

Adults

There are so many ways that a family lawyer can be helpful for adults. Types of cases that a family lawyer may work on include:

Spousal support or child support
Paternity disputes
Parental rights
Protection orders
Child custody and visitation
PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision)

These are just some of the cases where a family lawyer may assist at Family Court. There are also cases that take place at the Supreme Court where it may be beneficial for someone to use a family lawyer. For example, divorce cases are heard at the Supreme Court, not Family Court.

Are Family Attorneys and Divorce Attorneys the Same?

Oftentimes the terms “family attorney” and “divorce attorney” are used interchangeably by people. This is because both family law attorneys and divorce attorneys are able to assist their clients with their divorce cases. A divorce lawyer is someone who specializes in divorce cases and only takes on clients involved in divorce proceedings. On the other hand, a family law lawyer will take on a variety of cases not limited to divorce.

Do All Family Law Cases Go to Court?

The great thing about lawyers who work in family law is that they are able to help their clients in many different ways. There are things that they can do to help their clients reach a solution before the case goes to court. For example, the lawyer may try mediation or dispute resolution before the case is brought before a judge.

Some work that the lawyer will do includes researching cases for supporting background information for their current case. When they use other law cases, it will give their case and the solution they are seeking more credibility. They may also complete and file necessary court documents, offer advice, and advocate for their clients.

Choose an Experienced Family Lawyer

Make sure that you choose an experienced lawyer if you are looking for representation for a family law case. Khader Law can help you with cases that are heard at both the Supreme Court and the New York Family Court. They take pride in serving their clients and have proven experience with getting the best possible outcome for their family law clients.

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5 Reasons to Work With a Family Lawyer

By Mike Khader • 23 Mar, 2022

Working with a family lawyer may be the right choice for you depending on the nature of your legal issue. Family law covers all kinds of relationships, most commonly when they begin the process of divorce. Here are a few reasons to consider working with a lawyer that specializes in family law. 1. You want to work with a lawyer that understands where you're coming from. People generally contact a lawyer when they need help. Family issues are especially stressful. Strong emotions can overwhelm good judgment, which is why getting the help of a family lawyer is a good first step to protect your interests. Not only do they have the legal training and experience you need, but they also understand the emotional state you may be in. Knowing that your lawyer understands your feelings can also be comforting. Family lawyers specialize in these kinds of sensitive and personal issues. It can be difficult to remain amicable with a partner you are separating from. If abuse has occurred, it may be unsafe or impossible to communicate with an ex-partner. A lawyer that is an expert in these issues can help you get the best outcome in your case and plan for the future. 2. You need help making a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Soon-to-be-married couples should protect their separate property and investments. Maybe you have a property that is owned by a trust or partnership. You may also have gifted assets or an inheritance that is separate from the earnings you share with your partner. It is in your best interest to make sure these kinds of assets are separate from joint earnings if you divorce your partner. You need to communicate with your partner and make sure you are both satisfied with the agreement. A lawyer can help you sort out the most important elements within a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. 3. You need legal counsel for your separation. Going through a separation can be very difficult. Not only will you be going through a great deal of emotional upheaval, but you will also have to make several important decisions. Your living situation may be changing and you may have questions about how property you share with your former partner will be divided. If you have children, you and your ex-partner will need to communicate several important decisions. If you work with a lawyer, they will act as your advocate to get the best outcome for you and your child. They will also help you understand your custody agreement, visitation rights, and any financial support you may owe. A family lawyer will help you understand your state’s particular divorce laws. They can also help handle issues that arise from prenuptial agreements and get you the most desirable outcome for your separation. You also want a lawyer who will represent you at every level of legal proceedings. No matter if you're going through mediation or a trial with a judge, your lawyer should be your advocate. 4. You have a complicated custody or adoption case. Custody and visitation cases can be complicated and drawn out. Other family members, like grandparents, may also petition to have custody rights. With more people involved, you need a lawyer that will clearly express your interests to the court. Grandparents are more commonly given custody if a parent has been incarcerated or if the child has lived with them previously. Adopting a child can be an amazing source of joy. It can also be a very complex legal process. It can be more complicated if several family members have custody rights. International adoptions have additional rules and regulations that adoptive parents need to follow. A lawyer that is skilled in these issues can help you navigate the process so you can focus on building your family. 5. You or someone you love is being mistreated. Family law also includes protecting people from domestic abuse. Abuse is a broad term and can be specified by the type of abuse, for example, physical or emotional. A lawyer can help you file a restraining order for protection. Laws that prevent abuse protect anyone in a relationship. You do not need to be married to get this protection. These laws apply to anyone that lives together. This includes parents and children, elders, and roommates. Working with a family lawyer Taking the first step and making the call to a lawyer can be daunting. Dealing with family issues can be extremely stressful. At Khader Law , it's our mission to provide you with an amicable and swift solution to your family law issues. We'll be with you every step of the way, from mediation to hearings and trials. Give us a call so we can start making our plan to advocate for the resolution that you deserve.

Do You Need an Attorney When Starting a Marijuana Business?

By Mike Khader • 23 Mar, 2022

Starting a cannabis business involves steps like business formation, drafting/negotiating agreements, contract review/enforcement, and more. Whether you seek to produce your cannabis or sell products from others, it's vital to get professional insight. Here are five key reasons why you need a business attorney, with expertise in cannabis, for your business startup: 1. Know the Requirements Cannabis remains illegal under federal law, but each state has unique regulations for its use and availability. Some adopt decriminalization while others accommodate medical authorization or full legalization. Compliance and license requirements also vary greatly. Involving a business lawyer early can help you determine the scope of your activities and inform the business entity you should form. Consulting with a business attorney can reveal everything from business formation and licensing to regulatory compliance and legal risks. Understanding business requirements and local/federal legal laws are vital, but states adopt varied approaches. Grasping the requirements is a challenge without professional insight. You should hire an attorney conversant with current cannabis business laws in your area. 2. Secure a Business License It's advisable to engage an attorney before registering the business to ensure you have the proper foundation for the entity you seek to create. Working with a lawyer will make a straightforward process of obtaining your marijuana business license. The best attorneys know the existing laws and business models, so they can quickly help with the following: • Business Formation Before you get a cannabis business license, you’ll need to form a legal business entity. There are various types of business entities allowed in each state, including sole proprietorships and partnerships. Your choice solely depends on the cannabis business and its operations. Reputable lawyers also form the company in your best interests to enable future growth and scalability. • License Application An attorney can get the proper license for cannabis farmers, producers, laboratory testing firms, online sellers, local dispensaries, cannabis-infused products, and more. They know all requirements and procedures involved in cannabis business license applications. Involving a lawyer will ensure your business meets all existing requirements to avoid revocation and future legal issues. • Avoid High Costs Applying for a cannabis business license is costly. You'll need to finish business formation paperwork and agreements and pay for the license application. A cannabis production start-up can cost thousands of dollars in non-refundable application fees. If your license is revoked, you’ve just lost a significant amount of money, which can be devastating for your business. Working with a lawyer helps you avoid such high costs. 3. Contracts/Trademarks/Insurance A business attorney is vital for contract review and enforcement. Poorly written contracts and business agreements can leave you liable for various damages and fines. With an attorney, you can protect your interests and guarantee insurance if another party violates the contract. Cannabis business lawyers will handle all kinds of contracts, including real estate lease agreements, employee agreements, and more. Attorneys can also assist with trademarking and protecting business intellectual property, insurance policy selection, resolving tax issues, and more. Involving an attorney can keep the business operating within regulatory compliance requirements at all fronts. You need them to get approval for a new product. Attorneys protect your business from third-party liabilities and keep tabs on the ever-changing, highly-regulated industry. 4. Limit Business Risks Cannabis businesses face various risks, from legal authorities closing down on illegitimate operations to partners exploiting vacuums in the contracts. You need a lawyer to analyze business risks, enforce protective agreements, and keep the business operations lawful. Business lawyers can review all contracts, leases, and confidentiality agreements to identify ways to minimize risk. Proactive measures aside, business lawyers are essential when facing a lawsuit. Litigations are some of the top concerns of all businesses, especially cannabis companies. You may easily lose your license or pay huge fines and compensations because of a lawsuit. Business lawyers will protect your business through contracts, agreements, and policies. They also inform insurance policy to cover other risks. 5. Round-The-Clock Legal Advice Every business needs sound legal advice when making decisions. Worker's issues, partnership agreements, business taxes, product launches, patents, and litigation call for attorney services. It's unlikely that a single lawyer will have the right skills and experience in all these areas. When starting a cannabis business, you should work with a reputable law firm specializing in business law. The best firms provide round-the-clock business legal advice, which means you can avoid mistakes and mitigate risks. You’ll get proactive monitoring and strategies to keep your business ahead of the curve and within legal requirements. Whether you need to protect your stake and assets in case of litigation or set up a new shop in another area, you should consult a business lawyer. Most firms offer flexible services customized to your business. Reputable Cannabis Business Attorney Services Starting a cannabis business requires attorney services from the early stages. Working with a full-service law firm can help you understand all aspects of the law and contracts. At Khader Law , we pride ourselves in providing premium services to put your business ahead of the curve on commerce and law. Our NY law office is ready to help you start a successful business and guide you through all legal aspects.