Lake Charles Family Lawyer

Family law cases are some of the most personal matters in a family’s life. They include divorce cases, paternity determinations, and child custody cases. The result of a family law proceeding can affect how you and your family navigate your day-to-day life. You need a compassionate and empathetic Lake Charles family lawyer who understands how important your case is.

It is important to find the right attorney who can help you through your case. They should be able to find the right solution that benefits your family and helps you move forward with your new life.

Godley Law Firm: Experienced and Creative Family Law Resolutions in Lake Charles.

At the Godley Law Firm, our team has significant experience with divorce, separation, and other family law cases.

For more than 25 years, William L. Godley has worked in the legal profession and has spent many years protecting the interests of families. He focuses on the needs of his clients and aims to find ways to help families communicate and establish grounds for a compromise. Only if a compromise is impossible will he take a more aggressive approach.

William L. Godley understands what you are going through because he has been there himself. The legal team at the Godley Law Firm focuses on supporting families, particularly supporting children’s interests. We help you find creative and useful solutions for your complex family law needs, helping you in mediation or litigation.

Areas of Family Law Practiced at the Godley Law Firm

There are many complex and unique areas of family law. Experienced and dedicated legal support can help your family law case immensely. You need legal guidance that understands the specific process and circumstances you are dealing with. At the Godley Law Firm, we provide diligent and compassionate legal support in numerous areas of family law, with experience in some of the following:

Divorce

Divorce is a serious and stressful part of your life, and it often encompasses several other family legal matters. A divorce case may involve property division, child custody, spousal support, child support, and even protective orders. This can increase the complexity of these cases and make even an amicable divorce become emotionally charged.

The support of an attorney is crucial to mitigate this. An attorney can help you and your spouse reach a beneficial solution for your family. You need legal support that knows how important it is to maintain understanding and collaboration but also can fight diligently for your rights and interests if the other party does not play fair. William L. Godley is that attorney.

You do not have to face the stress of a divorce alone. Whether you and your spouse are amicable, have children, or face complex property issues, the Godley Law Firm can help.

Division of Property

When a couple divorces, they must separate the assets and debts that they are each responsible for. This is called marital property, and it generally encompasses any property obtained during the marriage.

Louisiana is a community property state, meaning that the court divides marital property equally. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as splitting all assets and debts down the middle. Dividing marital property is a complex issue that requires significant and often lengthy negotiations. You and your spouse likely have personal and financial investments in your marital assets, and this can make issues become contentious.

A business or other high-value assets can further complicate discussions. Division of property often requires professional appraisers and other financial professionals to help the process. Working with a skilled attorney gives you easy access to the resources you need. Our legal team can work to secure every piece of marital property that you are owed.

Spousal Support

Spousal support, or alimony, may be awarded during or after the divorce. This financial support from one spouse to another is provided when a spouse has financial needs, and the other spouse has the ability to pay. Interim spousal support is provided while the divorce case is ongoing if one spouse cannot financially support themselves. Final periodic spousal support is awarded with the final divorce order for a set period of time after the divorce.

Alimony can be complicated in a divorce case where both spouses have numerous financial concerns. The Godley Law Firm helps you find the clarity you need in determining spousal support and helping you protect your financial future.

Child Custody

Divorcing couples who have children together have uniquely complex cases. When you are divorcing as a parent, it is crucial that you find legal support that understands the importance of focusing on your children’s interests above all else. Determining custody can become long and expensive if it is contentious, and it can be more stressful for children. If possible, resolving the issues outside of court is paramount.

However, if a custody case must be handled in court, such as if one parent is a danger to the children or a parent is behaving selfishly to get back at the other spouse, you need an attorney who can aggressively fight for your children’s interests.

Child Support

The child support determination is based on factors like how many children need financial support, the expenses of raising a child, the income of both parents, and child custody. While there is a straightforward formula for determining child support, it may not be entirely clear if one party is hiding financial information. You need an attorney who can ensure all accurate information is accounted for. Your lawyer should come to an arrangement that is in your and your children’s interests.

Paternity Cases

A paternity case occurs when parents wish to establish or disprove the paternity of their child. Establishing paternity can be important to allow both parents legal rights and responsibilities for their child when the parents are unmarried. Paternity disputes can become complex, and an attorney can help with the entire process.

Adoption

Adoption can enable families to grow or become closer together. There are many options for adoption, and each has its own complications and costs. The Godley Law Firm can help you navigate the process of adopting a new child or adopting a stepchild while protecting your and your family’s interests.

Protective Orders and Domestic Violence

Family law can also cover domestic violence cases and protective orders. Parties on either side of a protective order have rights that must be protected. If you are dealing with a former spouse or another person who is a danger to you or your children, you need to take action to protect yourself. Temporary or long-term restraining orders and other methods of legal protection can give you the safety you need.

Being under the guidelines of a protective order can affect several areas of your life, including your employment. When someone files these orders against you, you need to protect your rights and interests with skilled legal support.

FAQs:

Contact a Compassionate and Dedicated Family Law Attorney in Lake Charles

There are numerous complex issues that can arise in family law cases. You should secure legal counsel early in the case to make those complexities easier to navigate. For diligent and empathetic legal representation in your family law case, contact the Godley Law Firm today.