For many people, nothing is more important than family. Most individuals pride themselves on providing for and protecting their families, whether this is through working to provide for them financially or serving as a source of emotional support. While many individuals may have attorneys for themselves, though, few people consider having a lawyer to represent themselves and their families in critical legal matters.

Family law covers a wide array of areas in Indiana, from divorce to adoption and more. While many individuals attempt to navigate family law on their own, this is often a mistake. Family law is its own complex, frequently challenging to comprehend legal sphere. Although such matters as guardianships or separation are technically possible for people to handle on their own, the complexity of legal procedure and paperwork involved means that it’s easy to make simple mistakes along the way. 

When dealing with the law, a simple mistake can set back your entire case or even potentially complicate matters further. Whether you’re considering adding a new member to your household or you need to determine how to best divide property during a divorce, a family attorney is a necessity. That’s why if you or a loved one needs a family attorney in Morgan County or a surrounding area, contact one of the compassionate attorneys at AJM Legal, LLC.

Family law is a body of law that governs legal issues related to the family.

Family law includes, but is not necessarily limited to:

• Divorce
• Adoption
• Custody Modification
• Child Support
• Guardianship of a Minor
• Guardianship of an Adult
• Paternity Suits
• Protective Orders

Legal cases involving family are often exceptionally challenging to navigate. Emotions can run high, and it can be difficult to look at a situation objectively or with a clear head. Even someone with some knowledge of the law can find themselves easily overwhelmed when trying to handle something as complex as taking custody of a minor family member or filing paperwork to take out a restraining order. This intersection of emotional intensity and legal complexity is why a family attorney is so vital. Family attorneys can approach even the most fraught situation with professional detachment and ensure high emotions and inexperience don’t harm your case.

One vital service family lawyers provide is establishing paternity. Establishing paternity is the process of identifying the father of a child for legal purposes. Under Indiana law, fathers have specific responsibilities to their biological children. In most cases, biological fathers also have the right to spend time with their children and be involved in their lives. In some instances, a person may claim that a man is the father of their child, either due to a mistaken belief or for some other purpose. In other cases, a man may attempt to deny responsibility for his own child and claim it is not his own. This is where a family attorney becomes vital.

Family attorneys know the legal process for establishing paternity. This can either allow a father to begin the process of gaining legal rights to his child or permit a woman to pursue action against a man who refuses to acknowledge responsibility for his child. Although many paternity cases involve disagreement over the identity of the father, paternity law can also be a positive experience. Many unmarried couples use paternity law to establish the identity of a father so that they can collaboratively raise the child together. Once paternity has been established, a family attorney can help you through the next legal steps.

Family lawyers are instrumental in cases of domestic abuse and stalking. In many circumstances, abusive behavior, including physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking, may continue until legal action has been taken, such as obtaining a protective order.

A protective order is a legal order from a judge forbidding someone to come within a certain distance of you, contact you, or engage in other violent or disturbing behavior. Protective orders are granted in cases in which a judge believes someone poses a significant threat to someone’s health, safety, or livelihood.

Protective orders are key in domestic abuse and some divorce cases. This is because violating a protective order is a crime under Indiana law. 

If someone violates a protective order, it can not only potentially send them to jail, but it can also help your case. Demonstrating to a judge that someone has both had a protective order issued against them and that they have violated that protective order can establish patterns of behavior that are ultimately beneficial to your case. An experienced family attorney can review your case and determine the best path forward.

Family is everything. When it comes to your family and the law, though, family can also be challenging to deal with. That’s why the Morgan County family attorneys at AJM Legal, LLC are here for you. Our compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking attorneys pride themselves on their compassionate yet fierce representation of all their clients. Whether it’s a divorce, remarriage, child custody, or something else, our team is here to help you and your family with all your legal needs.

Families should spend their time building happy memories together and living their best lives, not worrying about legal concerns. If you or a loved one needs a family lawyer in Martinsville, Morgan County, or the surrounding Indiana region, don’t hesitate to call AJM Legal, LLC at (765) 342-1962 to schedule your free consultation.