Family lawyers handle just about any type of situation that has to do with the family unit. The range of support stretches from before a marriage takes place all the way to the death of one or both spouses. Here are some examples of when to seek counsel from a Family Lawyer in Poulsbo WA and put that counsel to good use.
Getting Married
The question has been asked and answered. With the wedding date looming, there’s a lot of preparation that needs attention. In the midst of getting things ready for the big day, there needs to be time to see a Family Lawyer in Poulsbo WA. The purpose is to draft and sign a premarital agreement.
While it may not be romantic, this type of agreement is practical. In a good scenario, the terms will ensure that if the marriage does not work out, each party walks away with the assets brought into the marriage. The terms can also address how to divide any assets that the couple acquires while they are together. In terms of making the divorce settlement easier to manage, having the agreement in place is hard to beat.
Powers of Attorney
In most cases, a spouse is in a position to make decisions if the party is unable to do so in the event of injury or illness. That’s fine, but what if both spouses are incapacitated and there are not children? Deciding who steps in and makes those decisions can be difficult.
By choosing to prepare financial and medical powers of attorney that can be invoked when both spouses cannot speak for themselves, it is possible to proceed with medical treatments or take care of other arrangements that are in the interests of the couple.
Preparing Wills
The couple will also want to prepare last wills and testaments. The lawyer can help them design the wills so there is no question of what happens when one of the spouses dies. Many choose to structure the wills so that the surviving spouse inherits all assets and belongings. Once the surviving spouse passes away, the will can stipulate how the assets and personal belongings are divided among the children or other loved ones.
For anyone who has not prepared these key documents, seek legal counsel today. Doing so will provide plenty of peace of mind.
