Family Law
Your family’s happiness and well-being are of the utmost importance. Going through challenging times with your family, whether it’s divorce, a child custody battle, or a complex adoption process, may be one of the hardest hurdles you will face in life. Allow our family law attorneys to ease the process, protect your rights and preferences, and support you every step of the way.
At Cleary Shahi & Aicher, P.C., we have experience with a wide range of family law matters and thoroughly understand Vermont’s laws and policies in this realm. Contact us today to request a free initial call with our compassionate attorneys.
Support and Legal Representation Through a Range of Family Law Services
Family law is a broad area of practice encompassing processes like divorce, child custody, child support, and more. Whether you are having trouble reaching a custody agreement with your child’s other parent or need help navigating the adoption process, our attorneys will use our legal experience and compassionate guidance to support you.
Divorce Representation and Mediation
Vermont allows for no-fault divorce as long as you and your spouse have lived separate or apart for at least six consecutive months. If you and your spouse disagree on any matters within the divorce, such as child custody, separation of assets, or spousal support, you will have a “contested” divorce. Our attorneys provide divorce mediation to help separating spouses reach mutually beneficial agreements without involving the court.
We can also explain Vermont’s legal separation process and help you determine whether this would make sense in your case. Allow us to help you navigate the murky waters of divorce and protect your rights at every stage of the process.
Child Custody and Parental Rights
Child custody battles are often tumultuous, but our child custody lawyers will help you simplify the process as much as possible. We will protect your rights to custody and represent you in family court. We also provide mediation to help parents divide custody and parental rights without the involvement of the court, if desired.
Child and Spousal Support
If you and your child’s other parent do not share equal custody, at least one of you will likely need to pay child support. Vermont courts decide child support obligations based on many factors, such as how many overnights the child spends with each parent, the gross incomes of both parents, and more.
If your ex-spouse is failing to meet child support obligations, we can help you hold them accountable by filing a Motion to Enforce Child Support. We can even ask the court to add a civil penalty of up to 10% to discourage future overdue payments.
Spousal support is a type of financial support that a divorcing partner may owe their ex-spouse for a specific amount of time after the divorce. Our spousal support attorneys can help you explore this concept and seek this form of support during your divorce process.
Adoption Legal Services
Adoption often feels like an overwhelming, chaotic process. Allow our family law attorneys to provide peace of mind by:
• Helping you with all legal paperwork
• Handling any disputes that may arise
• Negotiating the terms of the adoption
• Representing you in court hearings
• Helping you finalize the adoption, update birth certificates, and change names
Prenuptial Agreements
Creating a prenuptial agreement is often a smart idea, no matter how many assets you bring into a marriage. It ensures that you and your partner are on the same page about sharing finances and promotes a smoother divorce process, should the need arise.
Our family law attorneys will help you draft a prenuptial agreement that protects your finances and upholds your specific desires for the marriage. Prenups can cover any of the following:
• Property division
• Spousal support requirements
• Debt allocation
• Business interests
• Inheritances
We will ensure that your prenup is “fair and reasonable” to meet Vermont’s terms for enforceable agreements.
Why Hire a Family Law Attorney?
Many family law processes do not require hiring an attorney, but doing so can be extremely beneficial. Our attorneys are committed to making your legal process as stress-free as possible. We will help you by:
• Breaking down complex legal terms and concepts into simplified language
• Protecting your rights throughout divorce, child custody, and other matters
• Helping you avoid expensive mistakes that could delay the process
• Providing emotional and practical support through difficult processes to help you keep a level head
• Protecting your children’s best interests throughout custody and support arrangements
• Explaining local laws and procedures that apply to your case
We strive to provide peace of mind during this challenging period of your life.
Seek Guidance From Our Rutland, VT, Family Law Attorneys
Cleary Shahi & Aicher, P.C., is your trusted family law firm in Rutland, VT. Request a free initial consultation with our attorneys today by calling 802-775-880.