Monroe Family Lawyer

Monroe Family Law Attorney

Every day, many cases unfold in the Monroe, North Carolina, family court system, from divorces and child custody disputes to adoptions and court order modification hearings. These cases involve legal matters among family members and members of the same household. As a result, they inherently carry emotional significance for those involved, and the outcome of any family court case has the potential to carry lifelong repercussions for any family.

Representing Monroe, NC, Clients in Family Court

If you are bracing for a divorce, preparing to adopt a stepchild, or facing any legal issue that will unfold in the Monroe, NC, family court system, you need an attorney you can trust to guide you through your difficult case proceedings and provide support when you need it most. Lehnhardt Price Family Law is an experienced family law firm with a solid reputation for positive client outcomes in Monroe, NC, family court cases. If you face any type of family law case in the area, we can provide the compassionate and responsive legal counsel you need.

Benefits of Hiring a Monroe Family Attorney

Technically, there is no strict legal requirement to hire an attorney for a family court case. However, many people attempt to represent themselves in their family court proceedings, believing this to be a good strategy for avoiding expensive attorneys’ fees. While it’s true that it will cost nothing but your time, effort, and a few court filing fees to handle your case alone, this is far easier said than done. Any family court case will likely involve various complex details you will be unprepared to address on your own.

Even if you think your case is straightforward and you have the flexibility to handle it yourself, the right attorney can offer tremendous value in your case. You might assume you’re headed for an amicable divorce only to discover unexpected details you don’t know how to address. Every divorce is unique, and everyone who undergoes the divorce process faces unique challenges as they work toward resolving their cases.

When you choose Lehnhardt Price Family Law to represent you in family court, you can rely on personalized attention from the outset of your case. We’ll help you understand the legal mechanisms in play in your proceedings, the administrative red tape you must address to resolve your case, and related issues that may require your attention as the case progresses. In addition, our team takes time to learn each client’s unique needs and concerns to ensure fully customized legal counsel in every case we accept.

Common Types of Family Court Cases We Handle in Monroe, NC

If you are preparing for family court proceedings and intend to hire legal counsel, choosing an attorney with experience handling cases like yours is essential. The attorneys at Lehnhardt Price Family Law have years of experience guiding clients through a wide range of family court cases, including:

• Divorce. Dissolution of marriage is always difficult, and your divorce is likely to be more complicated than you may initially realize. However, if you are preparing to end your marriage in North Carolina or need to respond to your spouse’s petition for divorce, we can help. Our firm can provide detail-oriented legal advice through every stage of your divorce.
• Child custody. The most important cases to pass through the family court system pertain to the needs of children. Divorcing parents or unmarried parents who decide to live together will no longer need to resolve parental rights and responsibilities with legally enforceable family court orders. Instead, these cases must unfold in court under the supervision and direction of a judge. The judge is required to preserve the best interests of the children who will be affected by their ruling.
• Spousal support/alimony. Post-separation support, spousal support, and alimony are terms often used interchangeably to describe long-term financial agreements between divorcing spouses. For example, if one spouse was financially dependent on the other for most of their marriage, or if one spouse cannot financially support themselves due to medical problems or disabilities, spousal support could come into play in their dissolution proceedings.
• Adoption. Adopting a stepchild can provide them the same rights and legal protections as a biological child. As long as a stepparent is willing to adopt the child, and the child’s noncustodial biological parent has either voluntarily surrendered their parental rights or had them involuntarily terminated, an experienced attorney can assist you in completing the adoption process as efficiently as possible.
• Domestic violence. Unfortunately, thousands of domestic abuse incidents occur annually in North Carolina and throughout the United States. These incidents may involve physical abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, or terroristic threats against family or household members. If you have experienced any kind of domestic violence or have been wrongfully accused of committing domestic violence in a divorce or custody case, you need to consult an attorney immediately.
• Alienation of affection. North Carolina is one of few states still recognizing divorce with cause, commonly referred to as a “homewrecker law.” This statute enables some divorcing spouses to file civil claims against third parties responsible for causing their marriages to deteriorate. For example, if your spouse had an affair that ruined what was a happy marriage in all other respects, you could have grounds for a civil claim of alienation of affection against the person with whom your spouse had their affair.
• Prenuptial contracts. If you are very wealthy, have prior legal commitments from a previous marriage or have any other complex financial concerns as you consider a new marriage, it’s vital to assess whether a prenuptial contract could be helpful to your situation. This agreement can stipulate the financial rights and responsibilities of you and your spouse-to-be in your marriage. A properly constructed prenuptial contract can resolve financial disputes before they occur, provide financial peace of mind to both spouses, and potentially act as a roadmap for a future divorce should the couple decide to end their marriage.

Many family court cases involve multiple issues. For example, you could be facing an impending divorce that entails property division under North Carolina’s equitable distribution law, a child custody determination under the supervision of a family court judge, and various other matters that your divorce requires you to address.

Lehnhardt Price Family Law can provide the meticulous legal counsel you want on your side for a challenging divorce case. We know the stress and uncertainty these cases can generate and the common questions our clients typically have about their rights and responsibilities in their proceedings. We can help you make a clearer sense of your situation and approach your case with peace of mind and confidence.

Special Rules in Family Court

It’s important to remember that while family law is a subsection of civil law, many special rules and procedures apply solely to cases unfolding in the family court system. For example, if you disagree with any element of a standing family court order, or if your life has changed in any significant way following the finalization of a divorce, custody dispute, or other family court case, the recent events you experienced could have influenced your family court order in various ways, even rendering it untenable given your new circumstances.

The North Carolina family court system provides a modification process that can help if you need to change the terms of your family court order. You must prove the reason for the desired change is beyond your control, such as developing a severe medical condition. You must also prove that the situation has directly impacted the terms of your order and explain your desired changes.

Once the court receives your petition, a hearing is scheduled, and you will have the opportunity to make your case for modification before a family court judge. This is a relatively straightforward process. As long as your requested change is relatively minor, reasonable, and necessary, given your circumstances, it may be approved with little to no argument from the other parties involved in the case. However, it is also possible for the other party to vehemently protest your desired change and offer contradictory evidence or testimony of their own. If you need to file a motion for modification of your family court order, a Monroe family attorney is the ideal resource to consult for assistance.

What to Expect From a Monroe Family Attorney

The right Monroe family lawyer handling your case can make a significant positive difference to its outcome. When you choose Lehnhardt Price Family Law to represent you, we will begin by reviewing the details of your case and assessing the legal mechanisms likely to come into play. Then, we will help you determine the best options for resolving the situation as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

Our team can help you navigate the complex details of your divorce, from resolving property division disputes to crafting a compelling case for child custody. If any unforeseen variables arise and complicate your proceedings, we will be there to provide the guidance you need in these situations. Our goal in every case we accept is to address our client’s individual needs, help them make informed decisions when they have options for resolving their case, and guide them to the best possible conclusion.

While no attorney can ever promise a specific outcome to any given client, we can ensure you will receive the personalized attention your family law case deserves when you choose Lehnhardt Price Family Law to represent you.

FAQs About Monroe, NC Family Law

How Long Is My Divorce Going to Take?

The time required to complete divorce hinges on the various factors your case entails. If you and your spouse have no children, share minimal assets, and haven’t been married long, it’s possible to complete dissolution proceedings relatively quickly. On the other hand, contested divorces, dissolution of high-net-worth marriages, and other complex cases will take much longer to resolve. An experienced Monroe family attorney can provide an estimate of your case’s most likely timetable.

How Much Is My Divorce Going to Cost?

It’s no secret that divorce can carry significant financial implications for anyone. When it comes to the overall cost of completing your divorce proceedings, you need to account not only for your legal expenses but also for the long-term financial impact of the outcome of your divorce. As far as your legal fees are concerned, make sure you understand your attorney’s billing policy before you agree to their representation.

Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer If We Agree on Everything?

Technically, you do not need an attorney for divorce, and some couples can qualify for summary dissolution if they meet specific criteria. If both spouses submit an uncontested divorce petition, waive any claims to spousal support, have no children, and have been married less than five years, they could potentially streamline their divorce significantly with no formal requirement to hire legal representation. However, having legal counsel you can trust is an invaluable asset for any divorce.

What Is the Easiest Way to Get Divorced?

Divorce begins once a divorce petition is submitted to the Monroe family court. If the couple agrees on all aspects of their divorce at the beginning of their dissolution proceedings, they can submit an uncontested divorce petition. However, if the divorce is contested, the couple must resolve all outstanding issues before completing the divorce process.

Is It Worth Hiring a Monroe Family Law Attorney for a Divorce?

Divorces are the most common cases in North Carolina family courts, and reliable legal counsel is an invaluable resource in any family law case. If you are concerned about the potential cost of hiring your attorney, remember you are likely to face a greater long-term financial impact if you forego legal representation. The right attorney can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case.

Lehnhardt Price Family Law provides client-focused legal representation in the Monroe, NC, family court system. We know how emotionally stressful any family court case can be, and you will likely have many questions regarding your forthcoming proceedings. Our team is ready to provide the support and guidance you need to approach your case with peace of mind. Contact Lehnhardt Price Family Law today and schedule a consultation with a Monroe family attorney you can trust.