General Information about Family Law

Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations which include, but are not limited to:

1. The nature of marriage, domestic partnerships, civil unions;

2. Issues that may arise during marriage such as spousal abuse, child abuse, child abduction,    adoption, legitimacy, surrogacy, adultery and bigamy;

3. The termination of the relationship and such matters including divorce, annulment, property    distributions, alimony and child custody, visitation and child support awards.

Family law rules relate to both relationships between family members as well as a family and society. Family law reflects shared values by society pertaining to how people who are related should treat one another. Family law attorneys can assist people with prenuptial agreements, divorce, paternity, child custody and child support, and in some instances, adoption. When you are faced with an important decision pertaining to a family relationship, seek the legal advice of one of our experienced attorneys.

Marriage

A marriage is a relationship between or among individuals, usually recognized by civil authority and/or bound by the religious beliefs of the participants. Because marriage often has the dual nature of a binding legal contract plus a moral promise, it is often difficult to characterize.

Traditional

In some form or another, marriage is found in virtually every society. Marriage has traditionally been understood as a monogamous union. In some parts of today's world, polygamy is a common form of marriage. However, all states prohibit a marriage to more than one person. Marriage is also prohibited between close family members. A few of the more common restrictions are:

1. A marriage between blood related siblings, parent and child, and aunt or uncle and niece and    nephew.

2. Generally the minimum age requirement for marriage is 18 years old, although some states permit    marriage at a younger age if parents consent to the marriage.

3. One or both parties must meet state residency requirements.

It is mandatory in most states that a formal ceremony of some kind be performed with witnesses and a religious or licensed official.

Federal and state laws give married couples many benefits. Such benefits include:

1. Decision making powers about your spouse in case of disability
2. Claimant rights for loss of consortium (loss of interest that one spouse is entitled to receive from    the other, including companionship, cooperation, affection, aid and sexual relations)
3. Certain tax advantages
4. Inheritance rights under state intestate succession laws
5. Federal benefit rights including disability, unemployment, social security, veterans' pension and    public assistance benefits
6. Creating a marital estate fund
7. Receive family rates on insurance
8. Avoid deportation of a non-citizen spouse

In some instances, many couples find it advantageous to consult an attorney about entering into a premarital or prenuptial agreement. This is useful as it allows them to work through financial issues and the potential disagreements that can be created prior to marriage.

DISCLAIMER: The information you obtain at our firm web site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is recommended that you should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

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If you would like to schedule a initial consultation contact an Iowa family law adoption / divorce , representing clients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa  at the Day Rettig Peiffer, P. C.. Give us a call at (866) 472-3270 or email us at info@drpjlaw.com.

The family law claims and settlement attorneys  at the Day Rettig Peiffer, P.C. are dedicated  to serve their clients in eastern Iowa,  including the cities of Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, Adel, Marshalltown, Pella, Decorah, Eldora, Johnston, Ankeny, Muscatine, Ottumwa, Manchester, Elkader and Burlington , and the communities that make Polk, Webster, Story, Linn, Johnson, Scott, Dubuque, Black Hawk, Dallas, Marshall, Marion, Winneshiek, Muscatine, Wapello, Delaware, Clayton, Hardin and Des Moines counties.