Practice Areas

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Legal Practice Areas

Divorce & Separation​

The main difference between divorce and separation is that divorce legally ends a marriage, while separation is when a couple physically stops living together but remains legally married.

Grandparent Rights​

Grandparents generally do not have automatic rights to their grandchildren, but they may have the right to seek visitation time through the legal system.

Child Custody​

Child custody is a legal term that describes the legal and practical relationship between a child and a parent or guardian. It can also refer to the guardianship of a child.

Domestic Violence​

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Marriage/Civil Unions​

Marriage and civil unions are both legal ways to form a partnership between two people, but they differ in some ways:

Adoption & Surrogacy​

Adoption and surrogacy are both ways to build a family, but they differ in several ways.

Property Settlements​

A property settlement is the division of assets and liabilities between people who are separating or divorcing. It's a crucial process that can be challenging and emotional, but it's important to understand the laws and regulations to ensure a fair outcome.

Adoption and surrogacy are both alternative paths to parenthood, each with its own legal and practical considerations: 
 
 
  • Control
    Intended parents have more control in gestational surrogacy than in adoption. In surrogacy, intended parents can choose the surrogate and the gametes used in IVF. In adoption, the adoptive family is chosen by the pregnant woman, and the child may not be placed with the adoptive family. 
     
     
  • Legal agreements
    In surrogacy, intended parents and the surrogate create a legal contract. In adoption, there is no such agreement. 
     
     
  • Medical screening
    Surrogates and gamete donors undergo medical screening, while there may be little information about prenatal care or family health history in adoption. 
     
     
  • Cost
    Surrogacy can be more expensive than adoption because of the added costs of reproductive procedures and surrogate compensation. 
     
     
  • Legal advice
    Consulting with a legal expert who specializes in adoption or surrogacy legislation is crucial to ensure a smooth procedure and protect everyone’s rights. 
     
     
  • Court applications
    Court applications can be prepared and submitted for adoption orders.

Child Custody, Adoption And Surrogacy

Domestic Violence, Child Abduction

A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

Marriage, Civil Unions & Divorce

The legal processes for ending a marriage and a civil union are similar, but differ in terminology:
  • Marriage: The legal process for ending a marriage is called divorce. Divorce can be used by both heterosexual and same-sex couples.
  • Civil union: The legal process for ending a civil union is called dissolution. 
     
     
Here are some other things to know about marriage and civil unions:
  • Relationship length
    To file for divorce or dissolution, the couple must have been married or in a civil union for at least one year. 
     
     
  • Evidence
    To obtain a divorce or dissolution, the couple must show the court that their relationship has broken down irretrievably. 
     
     
  • Financial and child arrangements
    Both divorce and dissolution involve settling financial arrangements and child care. 
     
     
  • Jurisdiction
    Some jurisdictions allow courts to take jurisdiction over dissolution proceedings for non-resident same-sex couples who entered into a civil union in that state
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