Family
Law
Since its founding in 1975, Maxwell,
Freeman & Bowman, P.A. has engaged in an active practice of family law.
We offer advice and representation on matters ranging from Prenuptial
Agreements, Separation Agreements, alimony, child custody and support to
equitable distribution (distribution of marital assets and debts at the
dissolution of marriage). We assist clients in understanding the issues
and in selecting the process that best serves the client’s interests, be
it litigation, negotiated settlement, or a form of alternative dispute
resolution.
Family law is the term that is applied to
the laws and rules developed regarding family relationships. Family law
rules define not only the relationships between members of a family, but
also between a family and society as a whole. When you are faced with
an important life decision regarding a key family relationship, the
advice and assistance of an experienced family law attorney often proves
crucial to your understanding of the issues involved and your
satisfaction with the ultimate outcome.
Divorce is the legal dissolution of a
marriage. The attendant issues, including the distribution of marital
assets and debts, spousal support, and the establishment of child
support and custody, need to be resolved in conjunction with marital
separation and divorce. If you are filing for divorce, it is important
to work with an attorney and a firm who can help you protect yourself
and your children by developing legal strategies to maintain finances,
insurance, marital assets and family safety (if appropriate) while the
divorce is pending.
Deciding to pursue divorce is one of the
most difficult and emotional decisions you will ever make, particularly
if you have children. Divorce also involves business and legal
questions that must be resolved. An experienced family law attorney
will help you to understand the basic issues, engage therapists, tax and
financial experts where necessary, and use a rational perspective to
help you navigate the process.
The law firm of Maxwell, Freeman &
Bowman, P.A. utilizes alternative dispute resolution approaches, when
possible, in assisting clients with family law matters. Such
non-litigation approaches include mediation, arbitration, and the
collaborative process.
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Divorce mediation is an alternative
dispute resolution method of settling disputes that can save you
thousands of dollars and many hours spent in protracted litigation.
In family law disputes, mediation is often preferred over litigation
because it facilitates future communication between the parties,
which is necessary when the future of children is at stake.
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Family law arbitration is another
alternative dispute resolution method where the parties and counsel
select an experienced family law attorney to decide some or all
issues associated with custody, visitation, child support, spousal
support, and equitable distribution. The parties and their lawyers
control the process for a private resolution of issues by the
decision-maker, or judge, they have selected.
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The
collaborative process assists couples who agree in advance to spend
their time, effort and money on settling their issues, not on
litigation. Our attorneys and any other outside professionals
brought into the process (for example, child therapists, tax
advisors, and estate planners) also agree in advance that whey will
not go to court; but rather, assist the parties in reaching their
own resolution. Unlike litigation, which can sometimes take years,
the collaborative family law approach generally takes less time and
less money, and allows the participants to make informed decisions.
This non-adversarial approach is especially beneficial to parties
who need to communicate for the sake of their minor children.
Our firm provides neutral divorce
mediation services, as well, in which a couple, along with consulting
divorce lawyers (when appropriate), work with an experienced divorce
mediation attorney to resolve outstanding disputes. The trained
mediator acts as a neutral and does not represent either party. It is
the role of the mediator to assist the parties and attorneys in
identifying the needs and interests of the parties, and to facilitate
discussions about ways to address the parties’ respective needs and
interests, which can be agreed upon and incorporated into settlement
documents. Since agreements forged in mediation are developed by you,
and because you have ultimate authority over the terms in your
agreements, you are more likely to fashion workable, durable, and fair
agreements.
Whether you are looking for guidance to
help you plan and protect your economic future, are trying to avoid
divorce, need help in negotiating settlement agreements, or require
persuasive legal arguments in the courtroom – the law firm of Maxwell,
Freeman & Bowman, P.A. has the resources and skill to effectively
represent your interests. Contact us today to schedule an appointment
at (919) 493-6464 or via e-mail to
jbowman@mfbpa.com. |
