Chambersburg Family Law
In Pennsylvania, the practice of Family Law is governed by both federal and state law. Family law attorneys are usually up to date on all aspects governing family law including child support, child custody, spousal support, divorce, adoption, and domestic violence. In Chambersburg and the surrounding areas of Franklin County, PA, these are the core family law issues most commonly seen by local lawyers. Chambersburg’s location near the Maryland border means that the courts here also need to be aware of their legal jurisdictions , both with Maryland residents and in cross-nominated cases where the parties don’t live in the same state. The laws in these states and in Pennsylvania may differ, which is why it’s so important for a local attorney to handle your case.
Each of these individual areas of family law takes years of experience to master, and some Chambersburg family law firms will focus all their business on these types of cases. Before you choose a lawyer to handle your case, make sure to ask them for their experience covering cases like yours. It’s always best to have a lawyer who knows your family law case type, rather than one who dabbles in a wide range of family law issues.
Why Consider a Family Law Attorney
In the midst of personal upheaval, it can be difficult to make good decisions. A lawyer, at a minimum, will provide you with information about the process and generally will encourage you to slow down your decision making process until you have had adequate time to talk to experts and to come to terms with the loss. You may be more sensible if you have someone in your corner whose sole purpose is to protect your interests. Yes, lawyers charge fees but generally a lawyer will be able to save you time and money, especially if litigation results. Selling a house, dividing household goods, valuing a business, choosing a vocational expert and considering child support guidelines are all matters where the spouse who is better informed and can organize their lives more effectively has the advantage. Your lawyer’s job will be to make sure you are equally informed and walk you through the process of preparing for an effective divorce.
In addition, a good lawyer understands the whole process and not just the case that is before the Judge at the moment. Each family law case is part of a chain of events such as marriage, divorce, employment, disability, medical emergencies housing, retirement, saving for college etc. It is critical to avoid making a bad decision that will cause a case to come back to the Court in a year to give you a second bite of the apple or create issues for your children when they are older. Any good lawyer will appreciate the visible harm that can result from years of conflicts relating to parenting, division of property and child support; and typically will have a great deal of respect for a client who is prepared to be reasonable and avoid getting into long term combative scenarios.
One additional benefit of the social network that results from practicing law is that lawyers get to know other lawyers. Lawyers who practice in Chambersburg and Gettysburg will be familiar with the Judges, and the District Court Judges in Franklin and Adams County as well. This knowledge is invaluable when trying to anticipate the outcome of a case. In addition, your lawyer will know the accountants, appraisers, custody evaluators and counselors with whom you will need to work. In addition, while each Judge is different; there is a limited number of Judges available to your case on appeal, so your lawyer will know the people who regularly sit on the appellate bench and will be familiar with the thinking of each of these Judges, making it easier to determine whether an issue is sufficient to justify an appeal.
Characteristics of a Good Family Law Attorney
The right family law attorney for you will possess a unique combination of skills and qualities that will enable them to capably and confidently represent your interests. From the start, a prospective client should look for an attorney’s experience in family law matters. Has the attorney been practicing in this area? Does he or she have knowledge about the potential issues that could impact the outcome of the case? Experience combined with a good track record will give the client a good idea of whether or not they should move forward with this lawyer. Communication with the attorney is another key to helping ensure the best possible representation. Both parent and attorney should be on the same page throughout the entire process. The attorney should inform his or her client of the costs associated with the case, communicate payment options, validate the client’s concerns, and make themselves readily available to answer any questions that the client may have. In addition, the attorney should receive and disseminate information timely so as to not jeopardize the client’s rights. While the attorney must be thoroughly informed about the client’s case, the client needs to be equally informed about the status of the case. This allows the client to make the best-informed decision possible and avoid any pitfalls. Good attorneys ensure that their clients are properly informed throughout the process and that any issues or problems have been forecasted in advance so as to avoid potential mistakes or landmines. This requires a good working relationship between parent and attorney, working toward a common goal.
Selecting a Family Law Attorney in Chambersburg
Finding The Best Family Law Attorney in Chambersburg is a process that requires careful consideration. In Pennsylvania, parties have the right to select the attorney of their choice. However, it is advisable to take your time when selecting an attorney to help with your legal problems. While an attorney’s legal skills and knowledge are important when making your selection, it is just as important to hire an attorney who you feel at ease with.
You can find a number of attorneys online by doing a search of "Chambersburg Family Lawyer" or "Chambersburg Divorce Lawyer." From the comfort of your home or office, you can find a number of attorney websites. When selecting an attorney, make sure that the attorney specializes on the type of law you need. This does not mean a general practice attorney cannot help you, but you should ask how much of his or her practice is dedicated to the area of law that applies to your case (for example, family law). You do not want to hire an attorney that spends more time doing criminal law than family law, since criminal law and family law are two very different things .
Once you find an attorney or attorneys who specialize in family law, schedule an initial consultation. Most law firms provide free consultations to new clients. During the consultation, ask the attorney any questions you may have regarding your case and how the attorney plans to help you. While most attorneys will give you the basic information to assist you in your case, it is very important you provide the attorney with all of the information they require during the consultation so the attorney can give you the best advice possible.
Another great way to acquire a lawyer is to go through a local bar association such as The Cumberland County Bar Association. Most bar associations will provide a free referral service to help you locate an attorney in your area. Referral services have lists of attorneys that are generally experienced and in good standing with the bar. The referral service will usually ask you a couple of questions (like: the county in which you live, your last name, issues you are having) and then they will provide you with a general list of attorneys.
How to Prepare for the First Consultation
When preparing for your first meeting with your family law attorney, just as for any other professional meeting in your life, it is important to be as prepared as possible. There are a number of different ways that you can prepare for your initial consultation. The first thing that you can do is gather any and all documents that you believe may be relevant to your case. For example, if you are seeking a divorce, you may want to bring any divorce documents that you have received. Or, you may want to bring any post-separation support documents or alimony pendente lite documents that you have received.
If your case involves children and custody, you would want to bring any and all records pertaining to your children. This could be medical records, report cards, daycare records, daycare invoices, or any other associated documentation with your children.
Additionally, if you are seeking a property division or equitable distribution, you will want to do some significant work prior to your meeting. You will want to create a list of all items of marital property, separate property and a list of assets and liabilities (including real property and bank accounts) of all types. This will be exceptionally helpful for your attorney to review in advance of your first meeting with them.
In addition, you will want to create as detailed as possible a list of questions to ask your family law attorney during this initial consultation. Furthermore, the attorney will also have a list of questions for you, as well as potentially additional questions once he or she hears about your case. This is an excellent time to gather as much information as you can about what to expect in your case and to understand your case goals as well.
Family Law Concerns in Chambersburg
Residents of Chambersburg, PA, have most likely faced common family law issues. This includes domestic violence, divorce settlements, child custody battles, and property division.
Domestic Violence
Residents of Chambersburg understand the delicacy domestic violence brings into their lives. Whether it is online bullying or physical relationships, domestic violence makes life chaotic to say the least. A Protection from Abuse (PFA) order can provide you with the assistance you need to stop harassment, both online and in the real world. In order for a domestic violence case to exist, you must have a safe environment. For example, it could be shielding your children from outside influences or removing toxic individuals from your life.
Divorce Settlements
Watching the dissolution of a marriage unfold in front of your very eyes is extremely difficult to watch, especially for those in Chambersburg, PA. However, divorce settlements are part of the industry that bring a cry for help. A divorce could be triggered by any number of things, from money to infidelity. In most situations, couples struggle with the terms of the settlement agreement. Primary concerns include alimony, child support, custody arrangements, and division of debt . Going through the separation of household items and tangible goods is an excruciating experience.
Child Custody Battles
Child custody battles can bring chaos into the life of the typical Chambersburg resident. Watching your children being passed back and forth between you and your spouse is one of the most challenging experiences a parent can face. The mediation process typically involves a combination of factors. What does each person have to offer? Is one of you more capable of providing for your children? Are you in the position to provide more?
Property Division
Property division can be an extremely emotional topic during a divorce proceeding. By appointing an asset to one person over another, you could essentially harm your spouse’s financial well-being. This is why it is important to understand all of the assets and debts of both parties. The first registry to look through is at the county courthouse. All properties are publicly recorded, but this information only goes back so far. The next step is to have complete access to the bank of your spouse. The good news is that Chambersburg divorce proceedings allow for both spouses to maintain equal rights over all assets and debts acquired during the marriage. One spouse cannot single-handedly remove assets or transfer them to outside individuals.