Divorce & Family Law

The decision to end a marriage may be one of the most difficult that a client will ever make.  It is equally, if not more so, of a major life event than your marriage was. You now, quite likely, have children and assets to complicate your relationship.  At Ainsworth, Thelin & Raftice, P.A., our divorce and family law attorneys understand the emotional and financial turmoil that accompany divorce.  Our attorneys are available to help you navigate the legal process and advocate on your behalf to ensure your interests are protected.  Our attorneys are experienced in divorce matters and will treat your case with the individualized attention and professionalism it requires in order to minimize the effect that high tension and emotion can have on the proceedings.  Our firm advises and represents clients in litigated divorces as well as divorce mediation and arbitration, and separations. We take the time to work closely with you to understand your unique objectives and establish a strategy that will serve your family in both the short- and long-term.  We also draw on the firm’s expertise in the areas of real estate, bankruptcy, litigation, and business law to guide clients as their personal and professional lives undergo profound changes.

Post-divorce modifications of judgments are not always simple affairs.  The divorce may have been recent or several years ago but situations change and sometimes the parties need to make adjustments to their divorce agreement.  Other times, one or both parties cannot let go and want to continue to use the court system to vent their emotions.  If you have a divorce judgment, and circumstances have changed that require addressing, contact our attorneys so that we can meet with you and help you restructure an existing agreement or judgment to fit the new landscape of your situation.

Relationships sometimes go bad without a marriage involved but with children involved. In this situation, both parents have rights and responsibilities to their children.  Sometimes it is necessary to involve the courts to resolve disputes between the parents or to make a parent accept their share of responsibility.  In plain language known as “child support” and/or “custody”, parental rights and responsibilities are determined by the Court, or by agreement of the parties, and create the binding structure for all matters related to raising your child or children.  Naturally, these determinations are frequently a contentious area.  We have the experience and professionalism to help you work with your former partner and the Court in a constructive and productive manner in order to reach the best possible resolution.  We know your highest priority is the well-being of your child or children, so call us today and let us aid you in ensuring their best interests are met and your rights are protected.

While no one plans on divorce, it is a sad reality that it could happen to anyone.  As everyone knows, divorces can be messy, contentious and drawn out, which benefits no one.  Pre-marital agreements are effective tools for being prepared in the event that the worst should happen.  Oftentimes, pre-marital agreements get a bad rap as being “bad omens” or showing one spouse-to-be’s misgivings, but really these agreements are a means to mitigate the emotional, financial and legal fallout of a prematurely ending marriage.

The court may step in if it feels that parents cannot decipher between their emotions and their responsibilities and perhaps are not acting in the best interest of their child(ren).  In such a case, the court will appoint a Guardian Ad Litem as an independent observer to represent the child(ren).  Attorney Christopher Leddy is a rostered Guardian ad Litem.

The legal process for adoption can be long and arduous.  There are many statutory safeguards and procedural steps that must be adhered to, and this can be difficult to keep track of.  Our attorneys are available to work with you every step of the way in order to move the process along in as speedy and appropriate manner as possible to reach your end result.

If a parent is not available or able to care for a minor child, another adult may step in and become that child’s guardian.  A guardianship establishes a legal relationship between the guardian and the child but, unlike adoption, it does not remove the legal relationship between the child and the biological parents.  Typically, a guardian cares for a child’s personal needs such as education, medical care and shelter.