Dependency & Dependency-Neglect
Parties may consent to the adoption of a child and require a petition, notice, service, and limited testimony at a hearing.
I can prepare the adoption packet and see the matter through, help navigate the case as a defendant or respondent, or represent you in defending your parental rights.
Guardianship is available when a person is not able to manage their property, medical needs, and well-being.
I can represent you as you seek guardianship of a loved one, represent the proposed ward, and represent you in your defense of a guardianship that you oppose.
Guardianships cover the person, the estate, or both. In situations where the parties are not all in Arkansas, we can use the international guardianship act to seek guardianship for your loved one.
Arkansas requires proof of grounds for divorce, but settlements and resolution short of a full trial on general indignities is possible.
We can help you in either contested trials or uncontested hearings and with property distribution determinations or settlements.
Uncontested divorces may typically be resolved without a hearing if both parties work together efficiently. Contested divorces typically cost the parties more legal fees and require hearings for testimony on support and property division.
I can represent you as you begin or defend modification of child custody (based on a material change in circumstances), or a new custody determination (based on the best interest of the child).
These cases usually follow a divorce, break-up, or separation, but would also used when you and your co-parent have an agreement (or might reach one) on visitation and support.
Whether contested or uncontested, I can represent you from beginning to end.
A parent’s share of child support in Arkansas is calculated from the parent’s prorated share of the two parent’s combined income, based on the average spending on children in U.S. families. Search for “family support chart” at www.arcourts.gov.
Spousal support is determined based on the reasonable amount a former spouse needs to maintain as close as possible to the lifestyle they had before divorce.
Please come to your consult prepared with current financial information and projected income and debts.
Dependency & Dependency-Neglect
If you are a named parent in a DHS court case, you are entitled to a court-appointed attorney without cost to you.
We regularly handle these cases, and we can represent you at our standard or reduced fee schedule.
Grandparents may be allowed visitation of children in the care of the Arkansas department of human services.
If your grandchild is in the custody of the department and you have not been contacted by the department, we can help you intervene with a petition for visitation.
We can help you with preparing the packet to submit to DHS for becoming a licensed foster home to temporarily house children who are in the department’s care and custody.