Howdy! I'm Dan Smith and I live with my wonderful family in Perth. This is my legal blog which aims to look at every part of the legal system. I should point out that i'm not a lawyer myself. However, my good friend Stan has been representing people in court for many years. I find Stan's work fascinating and I love asking him questions. I have even done a bit of my own research into the legal system. I decided to pull everything together here so I could organise my thoughts while also providing useful info for others. Thanks for checking out my blog!
Family law is a broad area of law that covers a variety of legal issues relating to families and domestic relations. Here are five interesting facts about family law.
1. Child custody arrangements are based on the best interests of the child
When making child custody decisions, courts will always prioritise the child's best interests. Factors that courts will consider include:
2. You have a right to an attorney in family court
If you are involved in a case at a family law court, you have the legal right to ask a lawyer to represent you. However, having a lawyer is not a requirement, and many people choose to represent themselves in court. If you do not have the money for an attorney, you may be able to access low-cost legal assistance from a legal aid office.
3. Mediation is often required before going to court
In many states, parties are required to attend mediation before they can present in court for a hearing or trial. Mediation is a process where parties meet with a neutral third party (the mediator) to try to reach an agreement on their case. If mediation is successful, then the parties can avoid going to court entirely.
4. Court hearings are open to the public
Unless otherwise specified by the court, all court hearings are open to the public. This means anyone can come into the courtroom and watch the proceedings unfold. However, there are some exceptions, such as when cases involve sensitive topics like child abuse or domestic violence.
5. Family law cases can be emotional and stressful
Due to the highly personal nature of a lot of family law cases, they can often be emotional and stressful for everyone involved. It is important to remember that decisions made in family court are usually final and cannot be easily undone, so it is crucial to think carefully about any agreements reached or orders issued by the court.
Conclusion
No matter your situation, it's important to understand your rights and options under family law if you find yourself involved in a legal case involving your family. These five facts provide just a snapshot of what you need to know about this area of law; for more information, please consult with a family law attorney in your area.
Share30 November 2022
