Jessica Lynn Means

Family law includes laws of marriage, divorce, separation, property settlements, alimony, spousal abuse, adoption, child abuse, child support, and child custody. If you need help with a family-related legal issue, a family law attorney can advise in family disputes as well as represent you in lawsuits.

When a person is too young to make decisions or is incapacitated and can no longer care for their own interests, guardian law allows the court to appoint someone to make legal and welfare decisions for them. A legal guardian may be appointed as a limited decision-maker or an all-purpose decision-maker. For example, children whose parents are divorcing often have limited legal guardians help decide custody issues.

An adoption lawyer helps to place children with parents other than their birth parents. An adoption cuts off the birth parents' rights and responsibilities, and gives them to the adoptive parents. Once an adoption is final, the adopted child receives the same legal treatment as a biological child. Adoption is often an emotional time and an adoption lawyer can help you make the right decisions for the child.