Family Law cases can be very complicated. There are generally six family law categories that may apply to your family: spousal support, child custody and visitation rights, child support, divorce, and adoption.

Spousal support is known as alimony in some states. Alimony is financial support meant to maintain the status quo of the family while one spouse goes through school or trains for a new career.
Child custody and visitation rights ensure that both parents get to spend time with their children even after divorce or separation. Child custody may be joint, where both parents have equal parenting rights, or sole where one parent is designated the primary caretaker. In many cases, family law attorneys will get a family court judge to order supervised visitation at least until a family has had time to adjust from their separation.
Child support is money that one person pays another for expenses related to a child. Child support is based on the family’s income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.
Divorce is the official end of a marriage and family court issues such as child custody, visitation and support must be decided during divorce proceedings.
Adoption is a family law issue where parents petition the family court to let them legally adopt a child who is not their biological child. The family court will consider the best interest of the child and may even interview prospective family members.
Paternity cases involves family law issues such as establishing a father’s paternity rights and responsibilities.
Grandparents rights involves family law issues where grandparents want to spend time with their grandchildren.
What are some common adoption issues handled by family law attorneys?
Every family law attorney has handled adoptions in family court, because adoptions are family law issues. The family court may have to determine if the petitioning family members are suitable adoptive parents or grandparents can adopt a grandchild. The family court must also decide what contact the biological family will have with the adopted child.