Divorce/Family Law

Problems within the family are the most personal and emotional matters you will ever have to deal with. We understand that your case is the most important thing in your life, and we will work closely with you to protect your rights to your children and your property.

If you are terminating your marriage, we can assist you in deciding on the quickest and most economical means to accomplish your goals. If you and your spouse can agree on the terms, dissolution can sometimes be a better alternative to a divorce, and can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost.

If you are seeking custody of your child, or trying to protect your own custody rights, we can help you in protecting your rights whether the other party is your child’s parent or some other relative. If you have become involved with Children’s Services, we can also help to protect your rights and assist your efforts to return your children home where they belong.

We can also assist you in creating new parental rights, in establishing paternity or adopting a child. If you have been wrongfully named in a paternity action, or are requested to pay child support, we can assist you in ensuring that your rights are protected with respect to any court orders that may be issued.

In most cases, services are provided on a flat-fee basis, meaning that you will be able to speak with your attorney when you need to prepare for your case, without worrying about hourly rates for phone calls.

Divorce

Divorce, or dissolution of marriage is a legal process in which a judge or other authority dissolves the bounds of matrimony existing between two persons, thus restoring them to the status of being single and permitting them to marry other individuals.  The legal process for divorce may also involve issues of child support, and child custody, though these matters are usually only ancillary or consequential to the dissolution of the marriage. 

Child Support

In family law and government policy, child support or child maintenance is the ongoing obligation for a periodic payment made directly or indirectly by an (“obligor”) to an (“obligee”) for the financial care and support of children of a relationship or marriage that has been terminated, or in some cases never existed. Oftentimes, but not always, the obligor is a non-custodial parent. Depending on the jurisdiction, a custodial parent may pay child support to a non-custodial parent. Typically there is no gender requirement to child support, for example, a father may pay a mother or a mother may pay a father. Where there is joint custody, the child is considered to have two custodial parents and no non-custodial parents, thus a custodial parent (obligor) will be required to pay the other custodial parent (obligee).

Child Custody

Child custody and guardianship are legal terms which are sometimes used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the parent to make decisions for the child, and the parent’s duty to care for the child.  Residence and contact issues typically arise in proceedings involving divorce, or dissolution of marriage.  In most jurisdictions the issue of which parent the child resides with is determined in accordance with the best interest of the child.  Daniel W. Gehr has the experience to help you fight in these matters, call today. (513)737-4347