About Domestic Relations
This area of law is also commonly referred to as family law. It encompasses a broad segment of civil law and litigation. In fact, this single category of civil law has historically accounted for nearly one-half of civil cases.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s statistical data clearly demonstrates a countervailing trend: marriage is at an all-time low. This, along with other trends, may mark a fundamental shift in what is viewed to constitute the 21st century family unit:

• Same-Sex Civil Union (or Marriage), Parenting and Divorce
• Third-Party Parenting, Predominately by Grandparents
• International Adoption

These trends will impact the way the law will develop, the needs of legal services, and how such are accessed, utilized and delivered. How remains an unknown variable.

Complexity of Family Issues
What is certain is that even a routine divorce of a couple with children is a complex legal transaction. In fact, without reaching more sophisticated issues, the following (substantial) steps are generally considered and normally undertaken in all such cases:

• Financial Data Gathered (and a declaration prepared and filed)
• Child Support Computed (under the Rules and Guidelines, along with rationale, if any, for deviation)
• Child Support Account Established
• Wage-Withholding Order Drafted and Implemented
• Custody Evaluation Undertaken
• Preliminary Hearing Conducted (if a temporary agreement cannot be negotiated and reached)
• Discovery Conducted (information obtained from the other side, typically document requests production; and questions, interrogatories)
• Asset(s) Valued
• Asset/Debt Division Determined (including sometimes bankruptcy, along with reasons, if any, for division from presumed equal division)
• Physical and Legal Custody Determined (in the children’s best interests)
• Parenting Time Schedule Implemented
• Parenting Coordinator Considered and Ordered (if necessary)
• Settlement Negotiations and/or Mediation Conducted
• Trial
• Special Findings Drafted and tendered
• Motion to Correct Error or Appeal Considered and Filed (if necessary)

Need for a Skilled and Trusted Advocate
Each of these steps to resolution of the case by agreement (a contract) or trial has the potential for a long-term impact on resolving the case or presenting a proper case at trial. All skilled advocates understand the legal gains to be made for his or her client are in the consideration and execution of these steps.

A domestic litigant needs a skilled and trusted legal advocate who possesses compassion, financial acumen, deft negotiation ability, and is trial tested. This is the skill-set that Dixon & Moseley, P.C.’s attorneys possess. The domestic-relations practice is a legal area in which Dixon & Moseley, P.C. advises clients on a daily basis.

Working in tandem with the client, the attorneys at Dixon & Moseley, P.C. help precisely identify his or her domestic objectives and the means to implement to reach the desired result. Thereafter, the Firm systematically engages the legal process to reach resolution. Be certain of your counsel.

Legal Service Areas
Dixon & Moseley, P.C. provides a comprehensive array of legal services to family-law clients. Many of these legal services include the following:

• Appeals (from final orders in divorce, paternity, custody, post-decree matters)
• Abuse/Neglect CPS Matters and Proceedings
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation and formal and informal settlement negotiations)
• Child Abduction or Unlawful Interstate Relocation (UCCJA, PKPA, Hague)
• Child Support Enforcement or Modification
• CHINS
• Cohabitation Cases
• Contempt
• Custody Disputes
• Custody Modification (physical/legal)
• Contested Hearings
• De facto Custody
• Dissolution of Marriage (divorce)
• Emancipation of Children
• Grandparent Visitation
• Guardianship
• Juvenile Matters
• Legal Separation
• Parenting Time Enforcement or Modification
• Paternity Establishment
• Protective Order (filing, defense or enforcement)
• Property Division and Enforcement
• Relocation (Notice, Objection, and Trial)
• Spousal Maintenance (temporary, rehabilitative, disability)
• Termination of Parental Rights
• Third-Party Custody (de facto custody)
• Valuation Matters