Families are dynamic structures, varying through time. Sometimes there are good seasons, and families need to explore legal options for child or adult adoptions. Sometimes there are painful or uncertain seasons where families need to explore options for divorce, child custody issues, child support, or visitation actions. Whether you need a legal expert to guide you through the good times or bad, our family law attorneys are here to provide the services you need.
Grizzly Law has several attorneys who specialize in family law in Montana. We know the laws and issues pertaining to divorce, child support, custody, guardianship, wills, probate, adoption, and much more. Family units have become more and more complex when considering; biological parents, grandparents, step-parents and many other types of family members. Our family law attorneys also handle pre and post-nuptial agreements and proxy marriages.
According to Montana Law, adoption is defined as “the act of creating the legal relationship between parent and child when it does not exist genetically. Child adoptions include a “legally free for adoption” child, stepchild, or emancipated child, (ref. Courts.mt.gov)
This process simplifies estate planning for families with stepchildren.
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
The process of cutting the legal, marital ties between two people through the court system.
Parties divide and distribute property, can ask for spousal maintenance (alimony), and if there are children resulting from the marriage, a parenting plan, and child support.
Parenting Plan (Custody) determinations for children of separated parents
The court system uses parenting plans to determine the custody of minor children, including when and where each parent will be with and responsible for each child.
Includes who is responsible for decision-making and provides for the financial care of the child.
Child Support determinations (usually included in Dissolution of Marriage and Parenting Plan cases)
District Courts Montana laws and Administrative Rules governing both parents’ duty of support to a child.
Amounts are determined to be reasonable or necessary for the child’s support, and without regard to marital misconduct.
Grandparents’ visitation actions
The district court may grant to a grandparent of a child reasonable rights to contact with the child (MCA 40-9-102)
