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Top Buffalo, NY Family Law Lawyers Near You

Family Law Lawyers | Akron Office | Serving Buffalo, NY

12364 Main Rd, Akron, NY 14001

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

665 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

822 Convention Tower, 43 Court St, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

181 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

651 Delaware Avenue, Suite 118, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

455 Cayuga Rd, Suite 600, Buffalo, NY 14225-1300

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

100 Corporate Pkwy, Suite 320, Buffalo, NY 14226

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

350 Main St., Main Place Tower, Suite 2210, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

40 Fountain Plaza, Suite 500, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

1083 Delaware Avenue, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14209

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

392 Pearl St, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1400, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

70 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Buffalo Office

Key Center at Fountain Plaza, 50 Fountain Plaza, Suite 1230, Buffalo, NY 14202

Family Law Lawyers | Orchard Park Office | Serving Buffalo, NY

3925 N. Buffalo Street, Orchard Park, NY 14127

Buffalo Family Law Information

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Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Buffalo

Lead Counsel independently verifies Family Law attorneys in Buffalo and checks their standing with New York bar associations.

Our Verification Process and Criteria
  • Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
  • Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
  • Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
  • Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.

Find a Family Law Attorney near Buffalo

Visit our free Family Law Resource Center.

What Are Family Law Issues?

There are many legal matters that are handled in family courts, such as child custody, child support, divorce, domestic violence, legal separation, marital agreements, domestic partnerships, alimony or spousal support, and adoption. Family law issues can be more complicated than other legal issues because the people may have to continue communicating or living with each other after the dispute is settled.

How Long Do I Have To Wait To Get a Divorce?

Different states have different waiting periods for divorce cases. The divorcing couple may have to be living separately for enough time before the court will enter an order of dissolution of marriage. Other states have no waiting period and either spouse can seek a divorce. There are other requirements for a divorce, including residency requirements. Talk to a divorce attorney for legal advice about how to get a divorce.

Will I Get Shared Custody?

Custody matters can include legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody involves making legal decisions for the child and how the child is raised. This includes decisions about the child’s education, health care, and religion. Physical custody is where the child lives. In many New York divorces, one parent will get physical custody and the other will have visitation rights.

How Much Will Child Support Cost in New York?

Child support is generally determined by New York child support guidelines. The amount of support and which parent pays support can be based on parenting time, parent’s income, additional support obligations, and the needs of the child.

Can a Lawyer Help With an Adoption?

An adoption attorney can help a family through the adoption process. For private adoptions or international adoptions, an adoption lawyer can help the prospective parents understand the process, the costs involved, options, and help avoid problems that may come up during adoption.

Should I Sign a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial agreements can be a very sensitive topic in marriage. Many couples do not like to discuss financial matters, which can later cause problems in the relationship. In some cases, a prenuptial agreement can help both spouses understand how their individual property will be treated if they separate. However, you should consult a family law attorney individually before signing a prenuptial agreement.

What Is Contempt of Court in Family Law Cases?

In family court, a judge can hold you in contempt of court if you fail to comply with any court orders. This could include refusing to follow your custody plan, failing to pay child support, or contacting a former spouse against court orders. If a family law judge finds you in contempt of court, it could mean fines, jail time, or even garnishing your wages to pay back child support.

How Does Family Court Resolve Disputes?

Family disputes can get complicated. In many cases, the best person to resolve a family dispute is the family members themselves, with the help of a mediator. Many family court issues are referred to a mediator, including child custody disputes. A mediator can help the people involved come up with their own plan. If the family cannot resolve their dispute, it may be left to the court to decide the legal issues.

How Can a Buffalo Family Law Attorney Help?

An attorney can often resolve your individual legal issue more quickly and efficiently than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. When talking to a lawyer, you should seek out an attorney in a practice area most relevant to your issue and in your area.

What does family law mean?

Family law covers a broad spectrum of legal matters that have to do with families, and not all of them mean something terrible has happened. The term family law can refer to adoptions, divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, guardianships, prenuptial agreements, property division, and many other issues.

What does contempt of court mean in family law cases?

In family court, a judge can hold you in contempt of court if you fail to comply with any court orders. This could include refusing to follow your custody plan, failing to pay child support, or disparaging your ex when a judge orders you not to. Being in contempt of court could mean spending time behind bars or other penalties, such as garnishing your wages to pay back child support.

How do courts resolve family law disputes?

Courts generally like to resolve family law disputes by helping people like you and your ex find an amicable compromise. This allows people to continue to work together in the future, such as when it comes to making parenting decisions. If necessary, a judge may order you and your ex to meet with a mediator to find a solution. If you cannot agree, the judge may schedule a hearing to decide the matter, at which point you will have to comply with whatever the ruling is.

How an Attorney Can Help

An attorney can often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. You should seek out an attorney whose practice focuses on the area of law most relevant to your issue.

How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.

How to Find the Right Attorney

  • Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
  • Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
  • Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.

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