Family Lawyer in Jonesboro Arkansas

It's important to note that divorce laws in Arkansas can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family. 

Filing for Divorce: The first step in the divorce process is to file a petition for divorce with the appropriate court. Your lawyer can help you draft and file the necessary paperwork.

Service of Process: The other party must be served with the divorce papers. This can be done by a sheriff, a process server, or through certified mail.

Response: The other party has a certain number of days to respond to the divorce papers. If they do not respond, the court can proceed with the divorce.

Discovery: During the discovery process, both parties gather information from each other through the use of written questions, depositions and/or document production requests.

Mediation: Mediation is a process in which both parties work with a neutral third-party to try to resolve disputes related to the divorce. Mediation can be court ordered or voluntary.

Trial: If the parties are unable to resolve their disputes through mediation, the case will proceed to trial where a judge will decide on the issues related to the divorce.

Final Decree: Once the court has made a decision, the judge will issue a final decree of divorce, which is a legal document that officially ends the marriage.

The court can award joint custody, which means that both parents share legal and physical custody of the child, or sole custody, which means that only one parent has the legal and physical custody of the child.

It's important to note that child custody laws in Arkansas can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your child.

Child custody in Arkansas is determined based on the best interests of the child. The court will consider a variety of factors when making a custody determination, including:

The relationship between the child and each parent: The court will consider the child's bond with each parent, as well as the parent's ability to provide a stable home environment.

The child's preferences: If the child is old enough to express a preference, the court will consider their wishes in determining custody.

The parent's ability to co-parent: The court will consider the ability of each parent to work together to make decisions about the child's well-being.

The child's physical and emotional needs: The court will consider the child's physical and emotional needs, including their age, health, and any special needs they may have.

The parent's history of abuse or neglect: The court will consider any history of abuse or neglect by either parent, and will prioritize the child's safety in making its decision.

The child's community ties: The court will consider the child's relationships with family, friends, and community, as well as their school and extracurricular activities.

It's important to note that paternity laws in Arkansas can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your child. Here are the general steps of the process:

Filing a Paternity Action: To establish paternity, one of the parties involved (either the mother or the alleged father) can file a petition for paternity in the appropriate court. Your lawyer can help you draft and file the necessary paperwork.

DNA Testing: The court will likely order DNA testing to establish the biological father of the child. This can be done through a blood test or a cheek swab test.

Review of Results: Once the results of the DNA test are received, the court will review them to determine if the alleged father is the biological father of the child.

Paternity Order: If the results of the DNA test confirm that the alleged father is the biological father of the child, the court will issue a paternity order, which legally establishes the father's relationship with the child.

Child Support: Once paternity is established, the court will order child support payments from the father to the mother.

Child Custody and Visitation: If the parents are not married, the court will also determine custody and visitation arrangements, taking into account the best interests of the child.

An order of protection in Arkansas is a legal order issued by a court that prohibits an individual from having contact with another person. It is intended to provide protection from domestic violence, stalking, or harassment. It's important to note that laws regarding order of protection can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome for you and your family.

Here are the general steps of the process:

Filing a Petition: To obtain an order of protection, the victim can file a petition with the appropriate court. Your lawyer can help you draft and file the necessary paperwork.

Hearing: After the petition is filed, a hearing will be scheduled to determine if there is probable cause to issue an order of protection. The court will hear evidence from both the petitioner and the respondent.

Order of Protection: If the court finds that there is probable cause, it will issue an order of protection. The order may include provisions such as no-contact, no-communication, stay away from certain places, etc.

Duration: An order of protection can be issued for a specific period of time, typically up to a year. It can be extended if necessary.

Enforcement: If the respondent violates the order of protection, the petitioner can contact the police, and the respondent can be arrested.

The guardianship process in Arkansas is a legal process by which an adult is appointed by a court to make decisions on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person. It's important to note that guardianship laws in Arkansas can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome. Here are the general steps of the process:

Filing a Petition: A petition for guardianship can be filed by a parent, a relative, a friend, or a court-appointed attorney, in the appropriate court. Your lawyer can help you draft and file the necessary paperwork.

Notice to all parties: After the petition is filed, notice must be given to all interested parties, including the ward and their legal representatives.

Investigation and Evaluation: An investigation and evaluation of the proposed ward and the proposed guardian will be conducted by the court.

Hearing: After the investigation, a hearing will be scheduled for the court to determine if guardianship is necessary and if the proposed guardian is appropriate.

Appointment of Guardian: If the court finds that guardianship is necessary and the proposed guardian is appropriate, it will appoint the guardian.

Duties and Responsibilities: The guardian will have legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the ward, including decisions about health care, finances, and living arrangements. The guardian will also be responsible for providing the court with regular reports on the ward's well-being.

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a financial support paid by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. In Arkansas, alimony can be awarded on a temporary or permanent basis, and the amount and duration are determined by the court based on factors such as the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage. It's important to note that alimony laws in Arkansas can vary depending on the specific situation, and the severity of the case can also vary depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you understand the laws and the process, navigate the legal system, and build a strong case to fight for the best possible outcome in terms of alimony. Here are the general steps of the process:

Filing for divorce: In order for alimony to be awarded, one of the parties must first file for divorce.

Alimony request: During the divorce proceedings, one party can request alimony from the other. Your lawyer can help you draft and file the necessary paperwork.

Determination of Need: The court will determine whether one party has a need for alimony and whether the other party has the ability to pay.

Factors considered: The court will consider various factors, such as the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage, in determining the amount and duration of alimony.

Order of alimony: If the court finds that one party has a need for alimony and the other party has the ability to pay, it will order alimony to be paid. The court can also order the alimony to be paid in a lump sum or in installments.

Modification: Alimony can be modified or terminated if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in income, retirement, or remarriage.