West Warwick, RI Family Law Lawyer

Divorce Attorney in West Warwick, RI

The prospect of going through a divorce can be daunting. During a divorce, you will face many difficult decisions that have a large impact on your life. This is inevitably stressful, and it can take an emotional financial toll. At Goldman & Goldman, our attorneys are committed to being on your side and being your fiercest advocate. We will work with you and help you to understand your rights and options through this process.

There are three main types of divorce to consider. Your choice will depend on your situation and the preferences of both parties involved. These types are:

• Contested divorces
• Uncontested divorces
• Gray divorces

A contested divorce is when spouses cannot agree to one or more terms of the divorce. In a contested divorce, spouses must negotiate to reach settlements on each disputed or contested issue such as property division, child custody, and spousal support/maintenance. If the spouses cannot agree on the contested issues and reach a settlement, the matter must be brought to court, and the issues are decided by a judge.

An uncontested divorce is when both spouses are in agreement over the terms of the divorce and all of the issues involved. Although uncontested divorces are simpler and more straightforward than contested divorces, it is still vital to follow the legal requirements with care and attention to detail.

The divorce rate of couples over the age of 50 has doubled over the past 20 years in the United States. Gray divorces refer to these couples that are divorcing after over 20 years of marriage. There are often specific issues that couples going through a gray divorce face. Retirement money that was meant to support one household must now be divided to support two households. At Goldman & Goldman, we understand these unique considerations and are prepared to guide you through this transition.

Mediation Attorney in West Warwick, RI

Mediation is an alternative to the adversarial court process. It is a viable option for couples seeking a timely and cost-effective method to settle their divorce. During mediation, a neutral third party called a mediator will help facilitate discussions between you and your spouse to work through specific questions and issues necessary to reach a mutually agreeable settlement.

Unlike in court, you and your spouse are in control when making decisions about all aspects of your divorce. You control the division of property and assets, spousal support, child custody, and visitation. In mediation, you, your spouse, and the attorney mediator work together as a team to reach a resolution.

In addition to mediating divorces, the attorneys at Goldman & Goldman also mediate:

• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
• Cohabitation Agreements
• Open adoptions between the birth parent(s) and the adopting parents
• Family matters such as parenting arrangements and elder care

Child Support and Custody Attorney
in West Warwick, RI

Divorce and separation are always emotionally difficult, but when there are children involved, the process can be even more precarious. Custody disputes are often emotionally charged matters that frequently turn into a battle with the child caught between parents. At Goldman & Goldman, we keep the best interests of the child in mind to create a parenting plan that can work for you and your child.

In order to provide the best legal service to you and your child, we will work through the following issues involving parental rights in a divorce or separation:

• Custody
• Visitation
• Child support
• International custody

Adoption Attorney in West Warwick, RI

At the Law Office of Janet J. Goldman, we understand that families are created in many different ways. One of those ways is through adoption. Let us be your legal support team as you expand your family through adoption.

There are several types of adoption. The legal processes involved with each type will vary. It is important to understand what to expect for each type.

• Welfare system
• International
• Private
• Kinship
• Adult

It is also common for a stepparent or non-biological parent to seek adoption to make their relationship to a child official. These adoptions can formalize family bonds for emotional and legal reasons moving forward.

Adoption may be a legal process, but the goal is to build emotional bonds. You can trust us to handle the paperwork to finalize all the details so you can focus on building a relationship with your child at this precious and delicate time.

Father's Rights Attorney in West Warwick, RI

When a couple separates, there are certain stereotypes that come into play. Most of the time, the mother is viewed as the parent the child should primarily be with. The father, by contrast, is relegated to a part-time parent at best. At Goldman & Goldman, we believe it is time to change these stereotypes for good.

When it comes to matters concerning children, the standard in court is to consider the best interest of the child first. We hold ourselves to the same standard. We understand the importance of children maintaining strong relationships with each of their parents and will advocate for you and your child to have a continued, meaningful relationship throughout the separation, divorce, and beyond.