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Where Will Your Legal Education Take You?

Family Law

Family Lawyer Lego Illustration

Graphic by Alondra Pulido

Family law varies from state to state. All 50 states have different guidelines for adoption, the grounds for divorce, joint custody of children, child support, alimony, and property division. The parties in family law cases can often reach agreements outside of a trial and may choose an alternative dispute resolution process, such as mediation, to resolve their differences (for more information, refer to the Dispute Resolution Practitioners page). However, in instances where the parties cannot reach an agreement, or if there is a history of abuse, family lawyers are often hired to resolve the dispute in court

One common area of law that family lawyers preside over is divorce. Individuals seeking to file for divorce must choose between either a fault or no-fault divorce. Currently, all 50 states permit no-fault divorces, which is the most common way to end a marriage. Under no-fault divorces, neither spouse needs to prove that the other did something wrong. Instead, an individual must prove that they can’t get along with their spouse, which is often boiled down to “irreconcilable differences” or “incompatibility.” Family lawyers are often hired to help clarify these proceedings and navigate their clients through the court process.

Many family lawyers work in small law firms specializing in family law, and clients tend to hire them based on referrals from friends and family. While some family lawyers specialize in specific areas, such as adoption, most work more generally within the realm of family law. Law students interested in pursuing a career in family law should have excellent interpersonal skills and should gain experience in the field, as it can be emotionally exhausting as well as rewarding.

Photo by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash

Family Law Resources

Video: A Day in the Life of a Family Law Attorney

Books