Family Law Lawyers - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Are you facing divorce? Are you considering adoption? Are you the parent of a child born out of wedlock? Do you have a disabled child who is about to reach 18 - and you're considering a guardianship? Do you need to modify an existing divorce decree? Are you owed back child support?

At Thesenvitz & Mickelson, LLP, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, our experienced attorneys can provide compassionate guidance through any type of family law matter, including representing juveniles who need criminal defense attorneys. For an appointment, please contact our offices today.

Divorce and Decree Modifications

Our thoughtful family law attorneys do not limit a divorce case to the basics necessary to legally dissolve a marriage. Rather, we advise and guide clients in decision making and negotiations regarding all areas of life affected by divorce, including property division, custody of minor children, visitation, child support and alimony (spousal maintenance).

At Thesenvitz & Mickelson, we believe that a trial should be the absolute last resort in a divorce case. In almost all cases, we encourage our clients to use alternative dispute methods like mediation and arbitration to negotiate a divorce agreement that each party can live with and that best provides for the future of any children of the marriage.

Adoption

Let us help you bring a child into your life through adoption. We will review with you the options, including private adoption, foster care, international adoption and others. If you wish to adopt your stepchild we can help with this legal process. The legal relationship with the child's natural parents must be terminated or altered, and the relevant government entities must designate you as having these rights and duties

Paternity Actions: Protecting the Rights of Unmarried Parents

In South Dakota, a man who fathers a child outside the bonds of marriage must take proactive legal steps in order to protect his rights - both in terms of child support and visitation rights. Similarly, single parents will find themselves and their children much better protected if they take some relatively simple legal steps following the birth of the child. Our capable family law lawyers have broad experience in paternity actions and stand ready to assist either parent with actions to:

• establish or challenge paternity
• obtain financial support for a child born outside marriage
• establish or challenge the noncustodial parent's visitation rights

If you are the parent of a disabled or "special needs" child, and that child lives at home and is about to reach the age of majority, you should consider establishing a guardianship for to protect the child's rights during adulthood. Guardianships for special needs adults allow the parents to:

• make financial and medical decisions on behalf of their disabled adult child
• sign rental agreements
• apply for public benefits like Social Security disability insurance

Contact Our Effective Family Law Attorneys - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Appointments are available, and evening hours are available by request. For consultation on a family law matter, we can be reached by telephone at 605-610-4524.