For your marriage to stand the test of time, you’ll find that adequate legal counseling is essential. Consulting marriage law lawyers near you to help you understand state laws and dynamics such as debt, custody, property ownership, or tax benefits may set you up for success in marriage.
A marriage lawyer is a legal practitioner with appropriate training and experience in state rules of marriage and with experience as a family lawyer.
So then, what sort of relationship does the law consider a marriage? A marriage is a legal union between two people who have purchased a marriage certificate. However, couples with no marriage license who live together for an extended period as husband and wife are in unions recognized by some state laws as a common-law marriage.
A marriage attorney is a legal expert with a specialty in the following laws that apply to marriage:
Your attorney takes time to understand the challenges or opportunities arising out of your marriage. The attorney will then question you to know your interest and advise you on actions to take within the context of the relevant federal and state laws.
In every state, state-specific laws outline procedures for initiating and continuing a legally valid marriage. Consult a lawyer for marriage near you before, during, and after the termination of a marriage.
Before marriage, you will need to hire a marriage attorney to help you navigate the following questions:
Working with a marriage lawyer helps you leverage the financial benefits of marriage. Such benefits include transferring property to your spouse without a gift tax or credits from filing joint taxes.
Divorce or separation is a heavy, emotional experience. Working with a divorce attorney expedites the process, ensuring that you secure the best terms. A marriage attorney will advise on issues concerning child and spousal support and property distribution and present your interests in court.
While choosing a marriage attorney, find the best marriage lawyer near you. Working with a local lawyer guarantees the attorney will advise you accurately according to your state laws. Make a list of potential attorneys near you, then visit or contact each to gauge their suitability by asking the following questions.
A reasonable marriage law attorney costs $300 to $600 per hour, depending on experience, qualifications, and the complexity of your case. Though there are different price structures among firms and attorneys, most attorneys choose to charge depending on the number of hours spent on your case. The fee and billing structure your attorney may offer to you may include:
Marriage attorneys near you may not charge for the initial consultation. An initial consultation is when a potential attorney listens to your issue and discusses with you possible actions. Once the attorney determines the complexity of your case, the person will then communicate the appropriate billing structure.
Most states will simply require consenting spouses, two witnesses, and someone to officiate the ceremony. The rules apply to all situations, even in states that allow same-sex marriages. For a marriage to be legal, the spouse must:
A marriage green card, also known as a family-based green card, costs $1,760. To qualify, the person applying for a green card must have entered the United States legally and married a legal citizen or a person with permanent residency. Marriage is one of the few immigration law benefits not available to people who enter the country illegally.