How Do I Choose a Lawyer?

Family ties are the most private and enduring relationships in society. As most can attest, however, these relationships are rarely free from conflict. When these conflicts cannot be solved within the home, family law seeks to restore order and provide a fair resolution for all parties involved.

Although family law is thought to be synonymous with divorce proceedings, in practice, divorce is just a small part of family law, which covers a broad array of domestic issues, including adoption, premarital and postnuptial agreements, paternity, and child support issues.

When legal action is necessary to resolve familial matters, it is essential that you entrust your most private matters with a compassionate and knowledgeable family law attorney. Our dedicated attorneys and staff serve as good listeners, confidants, and advocates for all of our clients during their most difficult times.

Child Custody

The dissolution of any marriage or partnership raises a plethora of issues. When children are involved, the resulting issues are even more complex as custody and child support issues come to the forefront. To ensure that a fair arrangement based on the children’s best interests is reached, you should contact a knowledgeable family lawyer.

Our law firm routinely handles child custody cases and can help determine the best custody arrangement for you and your children. We work with you to identify your and the children’s preferences and explain how local and state laws impact your case and family situation. Considering these factors, our family lawyers will work with you to devise a parenting plan for your children.

Child custody is dual-faceted in that it encompasses both the parental responsibility  and timesharing for  the child. Timesharing is where the child spends time with each parent, while parental responsibility entails the decision-making process for the parents like education preferences, religious practices, medical treatments, and extra-curricular activities. Both of these aspects must be considered during child custody proceedings.

Our compassionate team of child custody attorneys will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome, preserving your parental rights and protecting the children’s best interests.

Divorce

Divorce proceedings usually involve intense emotions and significant expense. Our dedicated attorneys can work with you throughout your divorce to minimize the emotional strain and cost normally associated with these proceedings. We can handle complex, contested, and uncontested divorces with your time and money at the forefront.

During the divorce proceedings, we will assess all of the assets and debt involved and strive attain the largest possible distribution of marital assets for our clients.  When appropriate, we will work closely with you to obtain proper financial support through alimony. If children are involved, we will work with you to maintain your relationship with your children, set child support payments, and help in the development of a parenting plan.

If you and your spouse choose to keep your divorce proceedings private and away from the courts, our law firm will work with you through voluntary mediation, known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). During this process, both you and your spouse will meet with a neutral mediator with your lawyer to help resolve issues by bringing both parties to an agreement on a fair solution. Many individuals prefer this method as it tends to be faster, less costly and produces a more amicable outcome.

Paternity

Paternity lawsuits may be necessary to determine parental rights, custody or support matters when the identity of the biological father is in question. In these instances, the court can order a genetic test. Even if the biological father does not wish to play an active role in the child’s upbringing, he can still have the obligation to provide financial support to the minor.

These suits may be brought by the mother, the presumed father, the man alleged to be the father, a government agency. Our family law firm Downyok & Downyok, P.A. is available to offer you legal guidance, assist in filing a paternity suit with the appropriate court or defend you against paternity action.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is unfortunately prevalent in many relationships and may include harassment, assault, sexual abuse or neglect.  If you or someone you love has been physically or emotionally abused by their spouse or another partner, you should contact the police and an experienced lawyer who can inform you of your rights.  Our dedicated attorneys will work to obtain an injunction from the court to ensure your physical safety, sometimes referred to as a “restraining order.”

In the case of marital abuse, if you wish to pursue a divorce , our legal team has experience assisting survivors of domestic and sexual violence and can advise you on the best steps to keep you safe, and dissolve the marriage as quickly as possible while keeping your best interests in mind.

Downyok & Downyok, P.A. understands the sensitive nature of domestic violence and will strive to provide you with peace of mind throughout the proceedings. Should you require additional support beyond the legal realm, we can refer you to other professionals and resources to address all of your needs and begin the healing process.

Family law raises emotional and legal challenges for all parties involved. In such cases, it is essential that you surround yourself with trusted advisors and friends. Our law firm Downyok & Downyok, P.A.provides you with the legal and emotional support needed to get you back on your feet. We look forward to hearing your story and finding ways to help you through what is likely a transformational time in your life.

Adoption

While adopting a child can be an immensely rewarding experience, it is often accompanied by a host of legal and bureaucratic complexities.  Those who approach the process with the aid of a knowledgeable attorney find that they are relieved of much of the delays, frustration and expense it often entails.

If you are a relative hoping to assume responsibility for a minor in your family, you should contact our family law attorneys to ensure no detail is overlooked.  We will take the time to explain all of the adoption issues to you, assist in the preparation of required documentation, represent you at the adoption hearings, and advocate on your behalf should any challenges arise in the future.