Terry Fixel, Attorney Discusses Family Law

Terry Fixel, attorney, has made it her mission to practice the type of law that lies closest to the human heart. In the world of law, there are so many different facets that it is impossible for an attorney to be well-equipped to handle every potential case that may arise.  For that reason, generally, attorneys like Fixel often focus their efforts today.

What is Family Law?

Family law is the area of the court system that attempts to resolve issues that arise within the home.  These problems are often tied to marriage, civil union, or domestic relationships, but it is also common to see children involved.  The cases can simply seek to better define the relationship, to dissolve it, or to expand it.

It is easy to understand why family law has developed into a very large and serious field.  When it comes to the heart, emotions can be heated.  Fortunately, not all of the cases that fall under the jurisdiction of family law are negative.  Very frequently, Terry Fixel, attorney, will be approached by couples who are looking to grow their family, but are, for one reason or another, unable to birth a child on their own.  These couples seek Fixel’s help in the adoption process or in securing a surrogacy contract.

While this job does certainly mean that Terry Fixel is able to share in some beautiful moments, it also dictates that she assists clients through their worst moments.  Divorce or dissolution of other legal relationships can be heart-wrenching and leave the involved parties will emotional wounds.  This becomes even more complicated when children are involved.

Fixel has stood in on many custody battles, child abuse cases, and in cases where the court threatened to take custody of a poorly behaving child.  There are also arguments over paternity.  The goal is to help the client achieve his or her desired outcome in a timely manner, so the family can heal, rebuild, or enjoy the new addition.

How Family Law Has Changed Throughout the Centuries

Family law has been around for centuries, yet it has had to evolve as cultures grow and change.  This is very evident when one looks at how the area of law was approached in the past and even at how drastically the percentage of marriages dissolved has escalated.

An even more telling fact is the former rulings of the court that created the ‘merger doctrine’.  In the case of family law, this law states that a woman’s identity, at the time of marriage, was merged with that of her husband.  As a result, she lost many rights, including that to sue or to testify against the man she had wed.  Of course, today, Terry Fixel does not have to contend with such a doctrine.

This area of the law has seen many radical changes because of how the public mindset has evolved.  In the nineteenth century, for instance, the laws were tied only to heterosexual couples and their children. Today, there are more non-traditional families than ever before and the court systems have had to meld to address those changes.

Family Law Glossary

With any type of law, there generally comes a myriad of terms that are not common knowledge, or that are not regularly used in other settings.  Terry Fixel recognizes this fact and attempts to clear those points of confusion for her clients.  For instance, in this piece of Family Law, you may have been thrown off by the following terms.

• Civil Union- This type of legal partnership aims to grant same-sex couples equal rights to married couples.
• Domestic Partnership- This is a relationship shared by two people, who live together, but are neither joined by marriage nor civil union.
• Legitimacy- Though not used as frequently in contemporary courtroom settings, this refers to a child born from wedlock.  Those born to parents unmarried would be considered illegitimate.
• Surrogacy- The act of a woman carrying a child until delivery for another person or couple.  She can be a traditional surrogate (carrying a child related by blood) or a gestational surrogate (implanted with the fertilized egg of another).
• Adjudication- Court ordered removal of a child from parental custody, this is typically a result of the child participating in an illegal act and having parents ruled incapable of providing proper guidance and care.

Reasons Why You Might Call Terry Fixel, Attorney

There are many reasons why you may suddenly find yourself in need of Fixel.  Attorney choices that specialize in family law like her have often seen cases involving:

• Divorce, dissolving of civil union, or end of domestic partnership: Likely the most commonly seen issue is the desire for divorce.  This growing issue is experienced in households of every ethnicity, every income range, and every corner of this country.  Unfortunately, love can burn out as people change and divorce may be the healthiest solution.  Terry Fixel, attorney works to protect her client from great loss in the face of divorce and can fight for fair alimony and child support payments.
• Alleged Spousal- or Child Abuse: It is a horrible fact, but the truth is that spousal and child abuse occurs all too often in this country and can play a significant role in how a family changes over time.  More than three million reports are filed alleging child abuse each year and as many as five children per day die at the hands of an abuser.
• Adoption or Surrogacy: When child bearing is not an option or one prefers to provide a home to a child in need instead, adoption and surrogacy are possible solutions.  There are many laws tied to these common practices, which is why involved parties will want to be backed by Fixel, attorney or one of her experienced peers.
• Custody, Visitation, and Adjudication: Whether it is mother against father for the sake of child custody, grandparents against parent for legal visitation, or parent against court to fight adjudication, these battles can be very emotionally heated.  When children are involved, the heart is susceptible.  Courts can legally take custody of troubled children and can rule against a perfectly fit parent.  Fixel works to deter such decisions.
• Paternity Fraud: When a father is not seeking to take custody, but rather to prove that he has been falsely listed as ‘dad’, Terry Fixel, attorney, can assist.  Terry Fixel has seen this occur many times.  Whether accidently or intentionally, mothers do erroneously list fathers quite frequently.  Terry Fixel and other family law experts are trained to ensure DNA tests are performed and justice is awarded.