Main Article on Name/Gender Change
Updated June 2023: Read my article on Name/Gender Change (it has been viewed over 25,000 times) and is regularly updated.
Arkansas Guardianship Attorney
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
