Wiggins & Norris LLC
Family Law
Family law encompasses adoption, alimony, child custody (and modification of custody), child support (recovery and modification), child support arrears, visitation, divorce, domestic disputes, restraining and protective orders, domestic violence, name change, paternity and legitimation, separation, termination of parental rights, settlements, and a number of other issues connected to the very personal area of the family. We acknowledge that family law is a sensitive and emotional area of law. We are here to advise you as to what your options are and vigorously advocate for you in a professional yet caring manner.
The chronology of most of the family law cases involves the (1) filing and service of either a Petition or Complaint, (2) a timely Response or Answer to the Petition or Complaint, (3) Discovery (gathering facts through production of documents and detailed questioning to have as much evidence as possible to prepare for court), (4) a hearing or trial (going to court) before a judge and/or jury, and (5) the issuing of an Order or ruling which binds both parties. Sometimes there will be multiple temporary hearings until the final disposition of the case. Sometimes the parties are able to avoid going to court by agreeing on issues and entering into a Settlement which results in a Consent Order signed by the judge, and that Consent Order becomes the order that governs the parties’ conduct. Sometimes the parties will mediate (either Court-ordered mediation or the parties volunteer to mediate), and an agreement is reached at mediation, which is signed and then made into an Order.
Regardless of what route your case takes, it is our goal to work with and for you to achieve your objectives, protect your children, protect your finances, and offer you advice that is sound, informed, and what you need to hear (which is not always necessarily what you want to hear). Whether you need guidance through a difficult adoption process, a child custody battle, or an advocate in a debilitating divorce, we seek to provide the highest degree of personal service.