Throughout history, different legal systems have had different approaches to protecting children’s rights. For example, many countries treat child custody as a matter of private family law and do not involve courts in most cases except when there is serious abuse or mistreatment of a child or when the parents cannot work together to make decisions regarding the child’s welfare. In modern times, despite some of the traditional practices of these older systems, many countries have adopted statute law that allows the courts to intervene when they believe there is a risk of abuse or harm to the child.
The most important role of family law is to protect the rights of the parent-child relationship. In many countries, this means that a parent has the duty to watch over the health and safety of a child by controlling his or her comings and goings (see CRC article 16) as well as his or her relationships with members of the family and other persons. In addition, a parent has the obligation to ensure that the child has adequate food, clothing and shelter and can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
When a couple divorces or separates, there are often financial and custody issues that require professional legal help. A divorce or separation lawyer can assist with these matters, and can also represent the interests of a parent in cases of abuse by a spouse.
A good family law attorney should be able to explain the law in simple, easy-to-understand terms and be a good communicator. They should also be available and responsive to questions and concerns.
To become a family law attorney, you need to take a law school course in this area and complete a number of externships and clinical experiences. These opportunities give you the chance to work directly with clients, as well as to gain valuable experience and a better understanding of how the court system works.
There are several ways you can begin to gain exposure to the family law field: volunteering, internships, fellowships and part-time employment. These are excellent options if you are interested in this area of law but do not yet know if you want to specialize in it.
Another option is to enroll in a four-credit simulation course that teaches you about family laws and helps you develop your skills at interpreting and applying those laws to your practice. Through a program of readings, discussion and simulated practice, you’ll learn how to apply the principles of family law and help your clients manage their family lives in ways that comply with relevant laws.
You should find a family law attorney in Miami who has extensive experience handling these types of issues and who is available to answer your questions. A qualified family lawyer will have a strong track record in handling similar cases and a reputation for being accessible to their clients.