Family lawsuits are types of civil cases; however, it is considered to be a specific category of cases involving issues concerning couples, parents, and offspring. There are specialized family courts that handle a variety of cases involving domestic matters.
The major issues handled by the family court include the following.
Marriage Dissolutions
When a couple wants to end their marital relationship, they can file a divorce case at the family court. It can be a mutual petition, or even one party can initiate the divorce lawsuit. Legal marriages can be dissolved only through a divorce or annulment lawsuit.
The court will grant a separation by issuing orders related to property, child custody, alimony, etc.
Child custody and paternity
Another major area covered by family courts is allowing child custody to a parent or proving the paternity of a child. When a man wants to be legally declared as the father, either parent can file a lawsuit in the family court to confirm the paternity.
A court rule will permanently establish the paternity of a child.
The unmarried couple can also request the court to order the legal custody of a child. Such a lawsuit will cover matters like physical custody of a child, deciding visitation schedules, and the authority to provide child support and education.
Protection against domestic violence
Domestic violence is another case pertaining to Family Law Darwin, especially for married wives who can file a lawsuit against such assaults. The victims of violence can request the family court to issue relevant protective orders against the abuser.
There can be temporary protections, and domestic violence can also be pointed out as a major cause of requesting a divorce.
Name change
There are many who are longing for their name legally. Such name change cases also needed to be filed at a family court. There are certain procedures to be followed in legally changing the formal name of an individual, either a child or an adult.
A good lawyer will help you get through these hurdles easily and legally change the name.
Guardianship
Guardianship lawsuits involve rules to determine who is responsible for the upbringing of a child in terms of personal, medical, educational, and financial decisions over a minor child.
Guardianship is also applied to care for elderly adults who cannot care for themselves.
Adoption and termination of parental rights
If there are any serious reasons for a parent to terminate the parental relationship with childlike neglect, abandonment, or abuse, etc., the family court has the right to terminate the parental rights.
On the other hand, if someone wants to take the parenthood of an abandoned or orphaned child, then family court comes into the picture in order to legally establish the parenthood and custody of such a child through adoption.
Along with these, all other juvenile matters and emancipation and approval of special marriages also needed to be ruled by the family court.
If you are planning to go ahead with filing a lawsuit at the family court for any above-mentioned matters, then it is ideal to choose a good lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable in family law matters to represent you in court and guide you through the procedures.