Arkansas Guardianship Attorney

A guardian is a person appointed by a judge in a special court proceeding who is legally responsible for the care of another person (the ward) because that person is unable to handle his or her affairs, whether that be because of disease, disability or being under 18.  The guardianship may give the guardian control over the ward’s estate or physical person, or both.

The creation of a legal guardianship typically involves a legal process which includes filing petitions, providing proof that a guardian is needed, examinations of the ward (if not a minor), court hearings and of course, expense.

Lauro Law, PLLC can provide professional guidance through this process and work to get a guardian appointed for your loved ones who require ongoing help and assistance.

Guardian for a Minor

When a parent or parents of a child or children cannot or will not provide adequate care for these minors, guardianship may be an option to help protect the children and improve or stabilize their situation.   A guardianship is a legal solution following parental death, abandonment or incapacity.  Many times Guardians for minors are grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives or close friends of the family.  In lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) relationships, when a natural parent passes away, the surviving partner can petition for legal guardianship of any minor children.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss guardianship for children.

Guardian for an Adult

Physically or mentally incapacitated adults or elderly family members who are unable to direct their own care or manage their financial affairs may need a legal guardian.  However, to determine the incapacity of a person for whom a guardian is sought, the court will require evidence of incapacity including testimony or a sworn statement of one or more qualified medical or mental health professionals.  The evaluations and hearings can take time and the costs of the proceedings will be paid by the petitioner.  If you are appointed the guardian, you can get reimbursed from the estate of the incapacitated person, if there are funds available.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss guardianship for an adult.

Also, Lauro Law, PLLC provides guardianship, powers of attorney and living will legal services in conjunction with our Estate Planning practice area.

Little Rock Divorce Attorney

A divorce can be a very emotional, stressful and traumatic experience and people can act without realizing the consequences of their decisions.  Since divorce is a “life transition” that you, your spouse, and your children will have to endure, you can easily lose perspective of what is best for your long term goals and priorities. It can be very helpful to seek an experienced attorney that can help you protect your interests.

Contested Arkansas Divorce

In divorces substantial property and debt must be divided and decisions relating to alimony, and child custody, support and visitation need to be made.  If you are facing divorce and you and your spouse cannot agree on these important issues, you will need to fight to obtain your legal rights.

In Arkansas, the Circuit Court will decide whether to grant a divorce, how to divide the martial property, who gets custody, how much child support or alimony is to be paid and any other issues that arise in a divorce.  Generally, their goal is to divide property according to equitable distribution and ensure that the overall outcome will be as fair to everyone as circumstances will permit, including the obligation to support children.

Uncontested Arkansas Divorce

An uncontested divorce can occur in Arkansas when either your spouse does not answer your divorce complaint within the specified time after being served with a summons from the Court or if your spouse answers your divorce complaint and you have both agreed on all settlement terms.

If you and your spouse can agree in writing about how to divide your property and debt, determine if alimony should be paid, who gets custody of the children, what child support and visitation will be, how to handle your tax matters, and who pays attorney’s fees and Court costs than you can create a settlement agreement that can be used at an uncontested divorce hearing.

If your spouse has not filed an answer to your divorce complaint, the judge will decide at the final hearing how to divide the martial property, who gets custody, how much child support or alimony is to be paid, who pays attorney’s fees and Court costs and all other issues that come up in the uncontested divorce.

Arkansas Child Support Attorney

Child Support Modifications

Child support is the financial obligation you have to support your child as he or she grows up.  If your child or children do not live with you, the courts require that you pay child support to the custodial parent based on the current Arkansas Child Support Guidelines and then existing the financial information and family situation.

When a parent's ability to pay child support has changed, a child's financial needs have changed, if the gross income of the parent paying child support increases by 20% or $100 per month or other significant changes in circumstances have occurred, child support may be modified.  Even if both parents agree on changes to child support payments, a court order is required to have the amount legally changed.  While parents can petition the court for child support modification themselves, however, we recommend that you use the services of an attorney to address this complex and significant issue.

Child Support Enforcement Actions

Unfortunately many divorced parents find it necessary to initiate enforcement proceedings related to court-ordered child support payments.  Since the purpose of child support is to ensure that both parents share the cost of raising children, it is unfair to the children and you when child support payments are late, not the ordered amount or not being paid at all.

Little Rock Child Custody Attorney

Over time, family situations and children change and when they do, child custody orders may need to be modified to accommodate those changes.  Whether you are the custodial parent or the non-custodial parent seeking the change, you should consider using professional legal assistance to address child custody order modifications.

In a contested child custody modification case, the court uses a set of guidelines to determine the “best interests of the child or children”.  Normally these factors are related to:

• Moral Fitness
• Stability
• Love and Affection
• the Child or Children
• Home and Location

Child custody modification cases need to be worked aggressively to determine and provide significant information to the court relating to both positive and negative impact on the children within these “best interest” factors.

Arkansas Adoption Attorney

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for a child and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents.

If you are considering adoption, there are legal steps that must be completed before you can experience parenthood. It would be in your best interest to discuss your situation with an experienced Arkansas family law attorney.

Lauro Law, PLLC provides advice, legal services and representation in:

• Private adoptions
• Stepparent adoptions
• Grandparent adoptions
• Adoptions by siblings or other family members
• LGBT adoptions

At Lauro Law, PLLC we take a special interest in every case and we will:

• Explain the adoption process
• Explain your rights and responsibilities as a parent
• Explain how we can facilitate the adoption
• Assist you in obtaining the consent of the biological parent(s)
• Prepare and file the adoption petition and supporting documents
• Provide advice and guidance if a home visit and evaluation is needed (private adoption)
• Represent you at the adoption hearing
• Obtain a new birth certificate listing the new parent names

At Lauro Law, PLLC we will use our knowledge of Arkansas Family Law and our experience to answer your adoption questions and assist you though the adoption process.

We also represent clients wanting alimony modifications, which may be warranted if a significant change in circumstances has occurred such as remarriage, loss of a job or a significant change in income.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a free initial consultation.

Little Rock Alimony Attorney

Alimony (also known as spousal support or maintenance) is money one spouse pays to support another spouse during or after a divorce.  It is not paid in every divorce and is paid only when one spouse has supported the other spouse during the marriage.   Alimony is an effort to rectify the economic imbalance in the earning power and standard of living of the divorced spouses and the amount of the alimony is based on the particular facts of the case.  The primary factors considered are the needs of the spouse requesting alimony and the ability of the other spouse to pay it.

There are several types of alimony and the courts have wide discretion in determining the type, duration and amount of alimony.  

The relevant factors considered by the courts in fixing the amount of alimony include the:

• Financial circumstances of both parties
• Couple’s past standard of living
• Value of jointly owned property
• Amount and nature of the parties’ income, both current and anticipated
• Extent and nature of the resources and assets of each of the parties
• Amount of income of each that is spendable
• Earning ability and capacity of each party
• Property awarded or given to one of the parties, either by the court or the other party
• Disposition made of the homestead or jointly owned property
• Condition of health and medical needs of both husband and wife
• Duration of the marriage
• Amount of child support

Alimony Enforcement Actions

Unfortunately many divorced parents find it necessary to initiate enforcement proceedings related to court-ordered alimony payments.  Since the purpose of spousal support is to rectify the economic imbalance in the earning power and standard of living of the divorced spouses it is unfair to you when alimony payments are late, not the ordered amount or not being paid at all.

Arkansas Attorney Ad Litem

Please Note:  Michael V. Lauro, Jr. has attended specialized Attorney Ad Litem training and has represented children in multiple custody cases but is no longer actively certified as an ad litem attorney.

As an former Attorney Ad Litem (currently inactive) we have represented children in domestic relations cases and guardianship cases when custody is an issue.  A circuit judge appoints an attorney to represent the child or children in a custody case if the judge determines that the ad litem attorney would facilitate the case and further protect the rights of the child.   Attorneys for the parents or parties of a custody case may also recommend that the judge appoint an attorney ad litem.

Attorney Ad Litem role and process

An attorney ad litem conducts an independent investigations consisting of a review of all relevant documents and records.  The ad litem will interview the child, parents, and others having relevant knowledge to assist in the representation of the child.  They will continue their investigation and have regular contact with the child during the entire case.  He will explain to the child the role of the ad litem and court proceedings and hearings in terms that the child can understand.

The attorney ad litem will determine the “best interest of a child” by considering such custody criteria as:

• Moral Fitness factors: integrity, character, compassion, sobriety, religious training and practice, a newly acquired partner regarding the preceding elements;

• Stability factors: emotional stability, work stability, financial stability, residence and school stability, health, partner stability;

• Love and Affection factors: attention given, discipline, attitude toward education, social attitude, attitude toward access of the other party to the child, and attitude toward cooperation with the other party regarding the child's needs;

• The Child factors: relevant information regarding the child such as stated preference, age, sex, health, and testing and evaluation;

• Home and Location factors: relating to its location, size, child care arrangements and family composition.

An attorney ad litem will appear at all hearings to represent the best interest of the child.  All relevant facts should be presented to the court and if the child's wishes differ from the ad litem's determination of the child's best interest, the ad litem will communicate the child's wishes to the court, as well as the recommendations of the ad litem.  He will file appropriate pleadings on behalf of the child, call witnesses, participate fully in examination of witnesses, present relevant evidence, and advocate for timely hearings. He will make recommendations to the court for specific and appropriate services for the child and the child's family. All recommendations made by the attorney ad litem will be communicated to the attorneys for the parties, or if a party is pro se, then to the party.

When a final custody order is executed, the attorney ad litem's obligation to represent the child ends, unless directed otherwise by the court.

Attorney Ad Litem Qualifications:

To be qualified by the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Court (AOC) as an Attorney Ad Litem an Attorney must be licensed and in good standing with the Arkansas Supreme Court.  They must also attend initial and annual Ad Litem training conducted by the AOC.

Arkansas Name Change Lawyer

Name Change generally refers to a legal act allowing a person to adopt a name different from their name at birth, marriage, or adoption.  A legal name change through a court order is the first step in the name-change process. A person must officially register the new name with the appropriate authorities as a result of this court order.

This process includes notifying various government agencies, each of which may require legal proof of the name change and may charge a fee. Important government agencies to be notified include the Social Security Administration, Bureau of Consular Affairs (for passports), the United States Postal Service, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (for a new driver's license or state identification card). Additionally, the new name must be registered with other institutions such as employers, banks, doctors, mortgage, insurance, and credit card companies.

Lauro Law is one of the premier Arkansas Name Change law firms.  We have extensive experience successfully assisting clients through this process.

We will:

• Explain the entire Name Change process and how we will facilitate that process
• Explain your rights and responsibilities
• Provide you with appropriate data and information gathering questionnaires
• Create and electronically file the appropriate court documents
• Obtain the necessary certified copies of the order
• Provide you with an Individualized Detailed Roadmap for getting all your identity documents changed
• And assist you if you need help with having these documents updated.

This is one of the most requested legal services we provide for clients. If you are considering legally changing your name we are here to help you through the process. For information about the process we use, court filings requirements and identity documents that need to be changed, please browse through our Library or select Name Change Process.

Select Court Filings the Name Change process in Arkansas.

Select Identity Documents for a list and description of these documents.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Little Rock Family Law Attorney

Family Law deals with family-related issues and domestic relations within marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships and same-sex couples in Arkansas.  Our firm represents clients in a variety of family law areas, giving each client the full attention deserved.  We provide legal service and advice to clients in areas such as:

• Adoption
• Guardianships

Select Family Law Terms for an extensive glossary of legal terms relating to Family Law in the Lauro Law Library.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Arkansas Life Planning Attorney

Life Planning deals with Family Law, family-related topics within marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships and same-sex couples in Arkansas. 

Lauro Law represents clients in a variety of additional Family Law Life Planning areas, giving each client the full attention deserved.  We provide legal service and advice to clients in areas such as:

• Surrogacy - Lauro Law offers its representation to intended parents and surrogates in both traditional and gestational surrogacy situations.  When you are considering the use of a surrogate to help you grow your family, it is extremely important that you have the assistance of an attorney who knows what level of details need to be included in your surrogacy contract.

• Guardianships (Adult and Minors) - Our law firm can provide professional guidance through this process and work to get a guardian appointed for your loved ones who require ongoing help and assistance. Many times Guardians for minors are grandparents, aunts, uncles, other relatives or close friends of the family.  In lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) relationships, when a natural parent passes away, the surviving partner can petition for legal guardianship of any minor children.

• Living Wills and Healthcare Proxies (Advanced Health Care Directives) - Lauro Law can assist you in developing a set of written instructions that specify what actions should be taken for your health if you are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity. In addition we can help you create the instructions to appoint someone to make such decisions on your behalf.

• HIPAA Releases - Our experienced staff can assist you with formalizing the documents required to identify family or friends who are involved with your healthcare or the healthcare of your minor child and allow those persons to obtain requested healthcare information from healthcare professionals, agencies and hospitals.

• Hospital Visitation Authorizations - Lauro Law can create a document that instructs your doctors, care providers and hospital staff, who is allowed and given priority to visit you if you are hospitalized. Many hospitals only allow biological or legal family members to visit a patient in the hospital unless you have a hospital visit authorization.

• Hospital & School Authorizations - We can produce legal documents to insure that other family members or friends can consent to emergency medical treatment or deal with schools for your children, if you are not available.

• Powers of Attorney - Lauro Law can construct and notarize a document that gives another person authority to act on your behalf. The authority may be general, giving that person broad power to make decisions, or limited, giving them the power to do one or more specific things. It is called “durable” when, by its terms, it remains effective even if the principle becomes mentally incompetent. A principal can make the power of attorney effective immediately or at some later date or event, such as when the principal becomes incapacitated. Under most circumstances, a properly executed general durable power of attorney avoids the need for a court-appointed guardian or conservator.

• Funeral Arrangement Authorizations - Our staff can assist you with creating a legal document that designates a person or persons who would take care of funeral arrangements, if you are unmarried or your spouse is not alive.

Select Family Law Terms for an extensive glossary of legal terms relating to Life Planning and Family Law in the Lauro Law Library.

Contact Lauro Law, PLLC by calling 501-613-6529 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.