Family lawyers dedicate themselves in family law, a field of law that centers on domestic types of relations. Family law rules differ with each state. Major issues managed by family lawyers include:
- Divorce
- Spousal support or alimony
- Prenups
- Marriage, civil union, and domestic partnerships
- Property Division
- Paternity fraud and testing
- Annulments and Divorce
- Child(ren) custody and support
- Requests for compensation for marital expenses (i.e. marital home improvements by one spouse throughout the marriage)
What a family lawyer does on a daily basis depends on the type of family law attorney and their practice areas.
How Much Will a Family Lawyer Charge?
In recent reports, family lawyers typically charge an average of $250 an hour. However, this amount can differ significantly on the basis of factors like experience and geographic location. A lawyer with a greater success rate and a lot of years of experience may charge upwards of $650 an hour. Similarly, attorneys may charge just $50 an hour (this might bring up questions of proficiency and experience).
Attorney fees can be altered based on the degree of representation they deliver. As an example, a family lawyer can offer:
- Straightforward consultation – The attorney will take note of the issue and provide advice.
- Restricted representation – will only handle specific aspects of the case. As an example, in a divorce case, they only deal with the divorce, not child support or child(ren) custody. This could be the case if each party can agree on some disputes but not all of them.
- Full representation – The attorney oversees every aspect of the case, from beginning to end.
The cost will go up with the time it takes the lawyer to settle the case. In addition, a lawyer may also offer to take on the case for a minimum fee. For instance, the average amount an attorney might charge for drafting a prenup is around $700-$800.
How Long Do Family Disagreements Last?
The period of time for a family disagreement to be resolved will depend on the issues. The average divorce can take months. The number of issues, associated with divorce, can usually be resolved without stepping foot in a courtroom. If the case does end up going to court, it typically takes longer. Nevertheless, a case involving marriage or domestic partnership may only take a couple of weeks for the attorney to prepare the required papers.
Do I Need a Family Lawyer?
Family disagreements can easily be very complex, and each state will have different laws. It’s a good idea to speak with a knowledgeable family law attorney, particularly if the issue means filing papers in court if comprehensive negotiation is needed. When it comes to issues like child custody or asset division, an experienced attorney will help you get the best possible result.