Divorce and Custody

We know your family is the most important part of your life. Divorce is a difficult, emotional time in anyone's life. This is particularly true when you have minor children. In any divorce involving minor children, custody and visitation are the most important and contentious issues. Typically, both parents want to spend as much time as possible with his/her children. We are committed to working with our clients to maximize the amount of time you have with your children. We are also dedicated to providing the highest quality legal representation to protect our clients financially whether it is through child support, spousal support, or division of marital property. We specialize in complex, high asset divorces.

Adoptions

We love doing adoptions at the Nadzam Law Firm. There are several types of adoptions in Arkansas. Most of us know someone who has adopted a newborn baby after his/her mother has agreed to the adoption. Many of us also know someone who has adopted his/her stepchild. Even when the parents consent to the adoption, you need an experienced adoption attorney to represent you.  Your adoption case may be contested which is where at least one parent refuses to consent to the adoption.  We frequently handle contested adoptions whether the adoption is contested by one of the birth parents or the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services (DHS).  The Nadzam Law Firm, PLC frequently represents foster parents who are seeking to adopt children they are fostering, but DHS or a birth parent is objecting to the adoption.  Nadzam Law Firm, PLC is knowledgeable and experienced in the courtroom dealing with adoption cases.  We know how important adoption is to a child looking for a forever home and that special family who wants to provide a forever home.   

Paternity

It is becoming more common for children to be born outside of a marriage relationship. Many people assume a man, who is listed as the father of a child on the child's birth certificate, has all the parental rights and responsibilities the mother has. That is simply not true, and has created some very difficult problems. We are experienced in establishing paternity for children born outside of marriage. Once paternity has been established, the Court will determine whether it is in the best interest of the children to be in the mother’s or father’s custody, whether joint custody is appropriate and establish a visitation schedule and determine child support issues. We have been successful in obtaining custody of very young children for fathers when that was in the child's best interest.

Guardianship

A guardianship for a minor child or children is needed when there is not an appropriate parent present. Most of us know children should be raised by their parents. Unfortunately, that is not possible when parents are deceased or are involved in illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, have mental health problems, or involved in criminal activity. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends of the family have all sought help from the Nadzam Law Firm to obtain guardianship for children who depend on these loving and caring individuals to raise them. We are committed to helping family members who are experiencing difficult situations do the very best they can to protect and raise the children who need them.

An Adult Guardianship is needed when an adult cannot take care of themselves and their finances. A Guardianship may be established for older family members who are experiencing problems with aging and are unable to take care of themselves. They may also be established for adults who have special needs, have mental health issues or lack mental capacity. Nadzam Law Firm, PLC is ready to assist your family with these difficult decisions.

Probate

Probate is where the Court distributes a deceased person’s property, such as land, homes, cars, bank accounts, and other personal property, based on the deceased person’s will. If a person dies without a will, the Court distributes the real and personal property based on the laws of the state in which the deceased lived. In the event someone dies without a will, the Court oversees the distribution of the deceased person's assets, such as land, homes, cars, bank accounts, and other personal property, pursuant to the laws of the state in which he/she resided. There is absolutely no reason to fear "probate." At Nadzam Law Firm, we are sensitive to the fact that this is a process which is unknown to you and can be confusing and overwhelming. We are experienced and can guide you through the entire probate process.

Wills and Estate Planning

Estate Planning is the plan you make for your minor children and your property/assets after your death. People frequently ask us whether they need a will. The answer is simple. Everyone should have a will, powers of attorney, and a living will to ensure that your wishes are followed. If you die without a will, the laws of the state you live in determine who receives your property and, more importantly, who you want appointed as a guardian for your minor children. If you have a will, you determine what will happen to your property and, more importantly, who you want to raise your minor children after you are gone. Powers of Attorney authorize someone to act on your behalf to make financial and medical decisions for you when you are not able to make those decisions. A Living Will is your directive to healthcare providers and loved ones on what medical treatment you want if there is no hope of recovery. No one knows the needs of you and your family better than you do. Please call today and schedule an appointment to have us prepare any of these documents. It is much easier and cheaper to do estate planning than it is to obtain a guardianship over another person.