Lafayette's Experienced Family Law Team You Need
We build our lives hoping for a great future, but sometimes life throws a curve, and the unexpected happens. Beal & Hebert's experienced attorneys are here to give counsel in various family matters: premarital contracts, adoptions, custody, divorce, wills & succession, and more.
Family Matters
Every family law case is unique. Some people want an amicable divorce. Others are ready for a battle. Whichever option you choose, the lawyers at Beal & Hebert can represent you and protect your interests.
From our office in Lafayette, we handle a broad range of Louisiana family law matters with care. We understand how stressful divorce, custody and other family law cases can be. Our experienced attorneys will tailor your representation to your specific needs and goals. We never forget that family law encompasses many sensitive issues, including your relationships, your time with your children and your finances.
The Complexities of Divorce Require An Attorney's Help
Louisiana has a few unique divorce laws. One is that, if you have no minor children together, you typically cannot get a divorce unless you have lived apart for at least six months. If you do have minor children, you must live apart for one year. Please contact us if you have questions about covenant marriage and its divorce requirements.
Louisiana is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you do not need to prove fault to get a divorce. You may request a divorce for grounds of fault if you wish, but fault can be challenging to prove. It is best to discuss a fault-based divorce with a lawyer before you decide which path to take.
Another important point about divorce is that the state considers marital property to be community property in the event of a divorce unless you created a separate property agreement prior to the marriage. You will likely also have property that is considered commingled assets. Dividing commingled assets can be complicated; don’t try to handle that process alone. An attorney can determine what types of property you have and how they should be handled in the divorce.
Protecting Parents' Rights To Their Children
The court wants to protect the best interests of the child, and, in many cases, this means joint custody. This is not always a 50-50 split, however. Each case depends on the details of the family. For example, parents may share decision-making equally, but the children may live with one parent more often than the other. There are many ways to craft a parenting plan agreement that works for your family. Child custody can be an emotional process, but with a family law attorney on your side, you can get through it.
Other Family Law Services We Provide - Find Out How We Can Help You
In addition to divorce and child custody representation, we offer assistance with prenuptial agreements, property division, spousal support/alimony, child support and modifications of existing orders.
To arrange an appointment with one of our knowledgeable family law attorneys, please call us at 337-991-6263 or fill out our contact form.