Lake Charles Family Lawyer

Lake Charles Family Law Attorney

Family law cases can make substantial changes to your life. Though it can feel overwhelming, know that you can have control in this situation. By working with a Lake Charles family lawyer, you can clearly understand the legal requirements of your family law case and what you can do to protect your family’s future.

At McHale Law Firm, we have helped individuals and couples navigate divorce for over 60 years. Michael McHale has 30 years of legal experience and knows that compassion and empathetic legal counsel are essential in family law cases. He walks you through your specific situation and helps create a unique solution for your divorce or family law case.

McHale Law Firm wants to help you move forward to a better future. Our firm can answer your questions about divorce and family law, and our compassionate legal team can keep you fully informed throughout each step of your case.

In Lake Charles, the 14th Judicial District Court (JDC) serves Calcasieu Parish. The 14th JDC Family and Juvenile Court is located at 1000 Ryan Street, North Annex.

Our Family Law Case Experience

At McHale Law Firm, we understand the many concerns of individuals and families navigating family law cases because we have handled many of these cases. We take care to listen to your unique concerns and help navigate your case with clear legal advice. Our firm can help in the following areas of family law:

Divorce

A divorce is a stressful and tumultuous time in your life, even when you know it is the right choice for yourself and your family. When couples go through a divorce, it is a uniquely emotionally and financially draining time in their life. In 2022, the divorce rate in Louisiana was 0.7 per 1,000 population, compared to the U.S. rate of 2.4 per 1,000 population. Your divorce is more than just a number, however. It is an exceptional change in your life, and you need support.

A divorce can be filed on fault grounds or no-fault grounds. This can impact several aspects of the case, including the time you have to wait to have the divorce finalized and the awarding of spousal support. It is important to work with a Lake Charles family attorney who will consider your individual circumstances and determine a resolution considering your unique needs.

Divorces are especially complex because they can involve multiple family law issues. You don’t have to navigate these complex cases alone.

Child Custody and Support

Cases involving children can be especially difficult, whether it is a divorce, separation, or paternity case. Having skilled legal support by your side is crucial to helping you navigate a child custody or child support case.

When the court makes decisions for children, it considers the child’s best interests. This includes reviewing an agreement that parents make about child custody or support. A child’s best interests considers factors such as:

1. The likelihood of a child being abused in any custody arrangement
2. The ability and disposition of each parent to provide their child with basic material needs and provide for their child’s care and emotional guidance
3. Each parent’s moral fitness, to the point that it would impact their child
4. The emotional ties between each parent and their child
5. The mental and physical health of each parent and their child

Child support is then based on the income of each parent and the amount of time they take care of their child in the custody arrangement.

It is crucial that the interests of a child are at the forefront of any decision made for them. When you work with an attorney, they can help you and your co-parent create a parenting plan that fits your family’s needs or help you advocate for your children’s interests in court.

Property Division

In Louisiana, spouses are considered to have equal claim to the assets they obtained in their marriage, so the court will divide the assets equally. However, if you have a prenuptial agreement or divide your property outside of court, you may not be subject to this division. Working with an attorney is crucial to determine your options for property division and protect what is yours.

FAQs

Q: When Should I Hire a Family Lawyer?

A: You should hire a family lawyer if you are dealing with a family law issue, such as a divorce, a child custody and support case, a paternity determination, an adoption, or when creating a prenuptial agreement.

These are cases that impact your life significantly, so even if they seem straightforward, it is important that you have compassionate and diligent support from a Lake Charles family attorney. An attorney understands the legal requirements for your family law case in your jurisdiction.

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Louisiana?

A: The cost of a family lawyer in Louisiana varies significantly depending on the attorney, the type of family law service you need, and the complexity of that case. Some family law services may be charged on a flat fee, while others may be charged hourly. The average cost of a family lawyer is $274 an hour, but an attorney’s rates may be much higher or lower depending on their experience and location. High-conflict cases may be more complex.

Q: What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to File for a Divorce?

A: You need a family lawyer to file for a divorce. In Louisiana, you are not required to have a lawyer to file for divorce, but it is incredibly beneficial to hire a family lawyer. A seasoned attorney can help you protect your personal and financial interests in divorce and help you and your spouse create a fair divorce agreement outside of court. If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement, your attorney can confidently represent your interests in court.

Q: How Do You Qualify for Spousal Support in Louisiana?

A: You may qualify for spousal support if the court determines that you are in need of support and you were considered free from fault for the divorce prior to the proceeding being filed. There is both interim and final periodic spousal support. Both types of support consider several factors when determining if support is needed, and how much or how long the support should be awarded.

Hire a Family Lawyer in Lake Charles

When you need tireless and compassionate legal representation, contact McHale Law Firm. Let us help you resolve these crucial issues and advocate for the optimal solution for your family.