Let Us Handle the Legal Side Of Your Family Disputes

Family can be a wonderful gift, but it can also be frustrating when relationships are strained by legal issues. Family disputes can cause or involve strong emotions, but emotions don’t define the laws around those disputes. Family law has been a topic of discussion on a national scale, with people discussing and debating issues such as morality, family structure, and even gender bias. When people cannot even agree on these matters, it’s only natural that family law could present many challenges that families must deal with. The Sunwabe Law Firm is prepared to assist you with your sensitive domestic matters. From marriage and divorce to domestic violence or paternity testing, we will handle your concerns legally and with discretion. 

Marriage

For many, marriage is the beginning of their family. But there are many issues that can arise around marriage. Whether you are looking for a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement, need help proving that a previous marriage was properly dissolved or annuled, or have other marriage-related concerns, we can assist you with ensuring that your marriage has no legal obstacles. From blending families to building them from scratch, we can help you get your marriage started on the right foot.

While most people get married with visions of happy ever after, some marriages unfortunately end in divorce. Getting married was the easy part; getting divorced is complicated. You will need to divide assets, determine child custody and child support, determine alimony, and handle many other issues. If you have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, it may simplify some matters and complicate others. That is why we are here to help. Whether your divorce is high net worth and highly contentious, or mostly amicable and you might need a little mediation to help work out a few final details, we are prepared to represent you and ensure that your rights are protected.

While spouses are separated but not yet divorced, one spouse may be entitled to spousal support or alimony pendente lite. Once the divorce is finalized, that spouse may be entitled to alimony. However, Pennsylvania law provides that if the spouse engaged in actions that could be grounds for a fault-based divorce, such as infidelity, they are not eligible for spousal support. Alimony pendente lite and alimony cannot be refused based on grounds for a fault-based divorce. Both are based on several factors, some of which are easier to understand and determine than others. A family law attorney can assist in requesting alimony, challenging a request for alimony, and reviewing what alimony might look like for you whether you are paying or receiving it.

How We Help

Family matters can be complicated, but you do not have to navigate them alone. The Sunwabe Law Firm is here to help. Whether you are just starting a family with a marriage or a baby, ending a marriage that didn’t work, or having another kind of dispute with a relative you have known all you’re life, our experienced legal team is prepared to handle your family law needs. Call our office today at (202) 773-0635 or our mobile phone at (412) 246-9860.

Adoption

Adoption plays a role in so many families. There are stepparents who adopt their stepchildren and other family members who adopt their relatives’ children for a variety of reasons. People start families and add to them with adoption. Women who do not want or do not feel ready to have children give up babies for adoption. Some families and some women choose surrogacy as another route to parenthood. Some adults opt to surprise a stepparent with a request to be adopted. Whether you are an adoptive parent, intended parent, birth parent, surrogate, stepparent, or any other individual involved in an adoption, we can assist you with your desire to adopt and bring one or more beautiful children into your loving home.

Child Custody

Whether you are a couple getting divorced, a divorced couple who needs to revisit your existing custody arrangement, or an unmarried couple who needs to figure out how custody works, we can help you navigate the ins and outs of child custody. From understanding the difference between physical and legal custody, and whether joint or sole is more likely in your case, we can also provide guidance and assistance with modifying existing custody agreements, visitation, relocations, parenting plan creation, and child support. We can also provide assistance with other custody-related matters such as grandparent custody, conservatorships, and guardianships.

Paternity Testing

A mother’s biological connection to her child is never in question, but a man’s fatherhood is not always as clear. A married woman’s husband is legally the father of any children she has during the marriage, but if a woman is unmarried or her husband is not the father of her child, other steps must be taken to allow the father to claim paternity. One of those steps is paternity testing. Our office can assist fathers who wish to assert their rights or mothers who need assistance getting the putative (presumed) father to acknowledge their child. Once paternity has been established, we can continue to represent you as you move on to other matters, such as custody, visitation, and support.

Domestic Violence

Whether you are the alleged abuser or the victim, domestic violence can have a significant impact on the family dynamic. Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody and visitation and even cause you to lose your job. If you lose your job and are unable to meet your child support or other financial obligations, you could find yourself facing additional issues in family court. Domestic violence allegations can result in a temporary or permanent Protection From Abuse (PFA) order (restraining order). These orders can further complicate custody and visitation. Whether you are accused of domestic violence or are a victim of such violence, you do not want to try to navigate the system alone. Allow Sunwabe Law to represent and protect your and your family’s rights.

Settlements

Whether you are the alleged abuser or the victim, domestic violence can have a significant impact on the family dynamic. Domestic violence allegations can affect child custody and visitation and even cause you to lose your job. If you lose your job and are unable to meet your child support or other financial obligations, you could find yourself facing additional issues in family court. Domestic violence allegations can result in a temporary or permanent Protection From Abuse (PFA) order (restraining order). These orders can further complicate custody and visitation. Whether you are accused of domestic violence or are a victim of such violence, you do not want to try to navigate the system alone. Allow The Sunwabe Law Firm to represent and protect your and your family’s rights.

Let Us Navigate this Process with Your Family

Whether you are just starting a family with a marriage or a baby, ending a marriage that didn’t work, or having another kind of dispute with a relative you have known all you’re life, our experienced legal team is prepared to handle your family law needs.