What to Do When Someone Dies Without a WillWhat to Do When Someone Dies Without a Will

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What to Do When Someone Dies Without a Will

Hello, my name is Kerry. Last year my mother died suddenly. When we went through her papers, we discovered she didn't have a will. My mother had been married to another man before she met my father and I had a couple of step brothers. Unfortunately, they turned up on our doorstep and started to demand that we hand over my mother's life savings to them and their family. I contacted a lawyer who specialises in probate law. She talked me through my case and explained how we would defend it in court. Thankfully, the matter was resolved to my satisfaction and I could start to grieve for my mother. I decided to start this blog to help others who have a contested will on their hands.

Family Law: The Importance of Getting Yourself a Family Lawyer

29 December 2016
 Categories: Law, Blog

Family law is a branch of the law that specifically deals with marriage matters including divorce, separation, annulment, and alimony, as well as legal issues involving children, such as adoption, child support, child custody and visitation rights, etc. In some situations, family law may involve issues relating to family property. Thus, a good understanding of property law may be required in the practice of family law. If you have any family matter that requires the attention of the courts, you can either represent yourself or ask a family law lawyer to represent you. Of the two aforementioned options, it is best to seek the assistance of a lawyer. Here's why.

Argue out your case objectively

As family law cases involve pitting one relative against the other, tempers and emotions can run high. If you are representing yourself, this may affect your ability to objectively present your case before a judge. For example, you may say or do things that may seem vindictive when emotions are blaring. As an objective outsider, a family lawyer will be able to maintain their levelheadedness throughout the proceedings. By acting as a buffer between you and the other party, a lawyer can help you keep your emotions under control by restraining you from behaving in a manner that will hurt your case.

Successfully reach an amicable resolution

The animosity that usually ensues when family relationships go south can make it difficult for family members to reach an amicable settlement over an issue. Successful resolutions of cases in family law calls for cooperation, which is often lacking between the conflicting parties. Even if you and the other side are not on good terms with each other, a competent family lawyer will reach out to the other party (or their lawyer) to reach a solution that is in their best interests.

Make sure you are equally well-represented

If the other party is going to hire a family lawyer and you are not, you will be at a great disadvantage. This is because the other side's lawyer will already be well-versed with proceedings in a family law case, while you are simply a greenhorn. Keep in mind that the presiding judge will not give any special treatment for representing yourself. In fact, they will give you the same treatment as a qualified lawyer. If this is the case, don't you think your odds of beating the other side will be reduced? By getting your own lawyer, you stand a 50-50 chance of gaining a favourable outcome, as your odds of losing the case will be evened out.