Family Law is the set of legal issues surrounding family decisions, disputes, and changes. Whereas Estate Planning is something you do ahead of time, Family Law issues can crop up unexpectedly. Often someone needing help in these areas is suddenly looking for an attorney, and may not have a lot of time to make a well-informed decisions. Family Law problems include:

• Divorce
• Custody
• Child Support
• Paternity
• Restraining Orders

Of course some areas of Family Law involve planning ahead:

• Prenuptial Aggreements
• Cohabitation Agreements

Since many of these events come up suddenly, many people end up searching the yellow pages for an attorney and picking the first one they get ahold of (A-AAA, A Family Law Firm). Because there is no relationship, the process is transactional, and the lawyer and client lose touch after everything is settled.

But Moreno Law has a commitment to families and to long-term relationships. Our approach to Family Law, even the crazy, all-of-the-sudden, looking-for-a-lawyer-in-the-middle-of-the-night problems is still grounded in collaboration and longevity.

If you find yourself in need of a Family Attorney, we encourage you to slow down, take a breath, and consider a few things before choosing the lawyer with the most alpabetically pleasing name.

• Family Law issues have a profound impact on Estate Planning issues.
• The decisions you make in the coming days and weeks will impact the rest of your life. You want the attorney who helped you reach those decisions to be able to advise you in the future.
• Many of these problems are emotionally charged, and people never make the best decisions while they are upset. You need a lawyer who has the patience to deal with your emotions, but won’t let you override your own better judgment.
• Litigation is expensive, and benefits only the lawyers involved. As much as you might want to “take ‘em to court,” and as much as they might deserve it, you really would be much better off with an attorney who believes that collaboration and taking the “higher road” is the best way to reach your goals.

If you, or someone you know, is dealing with divorce, custody disputes, paternity issues, or other Family Law situations, please reach out to us.