Springdale, AR Family Law Attorney
Family law can cover a wide range of issues, from child custody to divorce. If you have a problem that falls within the realm of family law, it is important to be informed about all of your rights before you make an important decision. For example, you may need to determine whether you need to pay alimony to your former spouse after a divorce. If you or a family member need assistance with a family law issue, you should consult with an experienced Springdale family law attorney today.
At Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP, our dedicated attorneys are prepared to listen to your problem and help you develop a unique legal plan that is tailored to your needs. We understand how traumatic it can be to deal with certain family issues and we are here to represent you. To schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case, call Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP at (479) 439-9840, or contact us online.
Types of Family Law Cases We Handle
As mentioned, family law is a term that is used to identify several legal matters. Whatever family matter you need to resolve, you should be fully apprised of your rights. The following is a list of family law areas that our firm can help you with.
Divorce
A divorce is a termination of a legal marriage between spouses. If you wish to file for divorce from your spouse in Arkansas, you and your spouse have to meet Arkansas’ residency requirements. To meet the residency requirements, one spouse must be a resident of Arkansas for at least 60 days before they can file for a divorce.
Spouses who request a divorce must also state the grounds for a divorce. For example, some couples may cite irreconcilable differences as a ground for their divorce. Spouses can also file for a no-fault divorce. This means that neither spouse is to blame for the dissolution of the marriage.
Additionally, a divorce cannot be completed until the three months waiting period is over.
Adoption
Adoption is when an individual or a couple applies for a parental role for a child they are not biologically related to. Under Arkansas law, any person can be adopted. However, if an individual is 10 years of age or older, they must provide their consent to be adopted. Any person can apply for adoption, including married spouses, unmarried adults, a single married parent with children, and many other people.
Adopting a person is a rigorous process that will require you to meet several requirements. For example, you will be subjected to a home study by a social worker that will determine whether you live in a home suitable to adopt a child. You must also successfully make it through a six-month trial period to ensure that the child will be properly cared for. The adoption process can also be contested. This means that the child’s biological parents disagree with the suitability of the person or people who began the adoption process. A contested adoption can significantly impede your adoption efforts.
Child Custody
If you and your spouse have children and are now divorcing, you likely had a disagreement regarding child custody somewhere along the way. Child custody can allude to several different scenarios. For example, if a person has physical custody of their child, it means they have control over where their child will reside. Alternatively, having legal custody of your child means you can make major decisions regarding their education, health, religion, and many other topics.
Before helping parents decide who has custody of a child or multiple children, the state of Arkansas typically allows parents a chance to create a custody agreement. If the parents cannot come to an arrangement, the court will make a determination after weighing several factors. For example, the court can look at a parent’s income or whether one parent has a history of committing crimes.
Springdale Family Law Lawyers for Divorce, Custody, and Adoption
If you or a family member is in need of a skilled family law lawyer in Springdale, you should contact Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP. Our Springdale family attorneys can help you with various issues, like filing for a divorce, resolving a custody issue, or adopting a child. We have represented many residents of Springdale and the surrounding areas of Arkansas, and we would be proud to represent you. To schedule a confidential legal consultation, call Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP at (479) 439-9840, or contact us online today.