Family Law

Nobody wants to hire a family law attorney. But if you need one, Diana can help you to choose your best options. Family law representation can include help with divorce, child custody and parenting time, child support, and spousal support. Because having a judge decide your future should always be the last resort, she will help you to resolve your conflicts and issues out of court whenever possible.

Pre-Divorce Consultation:

My spouse and I are planning an amicable divorce.   Do we really need separate lawyers?

Probably.  Ethically, an attorney may only represent one party, and it is her duty to do her best for that person.  That said, one of you can hire the attorney and have her for your own attorney, but instruct her that you want a fair settlement with your spouse, and work together to ensure that that is what happens.  Ethically the attorney must inform the other spouse that she only represents the one who hired her, and that they should get the advice of their own attorney.

I was married to the mother of the child, but DNA will show that the biological father was someone else.  Do I still have rights to the child?  Does he?  You do, because the child was born to the marriage.  You and your ex-spouse are equally entitled to custody of the child, considering her best interest.

In most cases, seeking the advice of a knowledgeable family attorney can help save you much grief and difficulty in the future.

Where does the Firm serve families?We work in Bennett County, Haakon County, Jackson County, Jones County, Hughes County, Mellette County, and Stanley County.  Service may be available in other areas of South Central South Dakota.