Family Law

Pre-Nuptial Agreements

It is essential for a couple planning to marry in the near future to enter into a Prenuptial Agreement. A prenuptial agreement protects investments and assets the person has acquired before tying the knot. Likewise, it makes the person responsible for debts incurred before marriage. It is a tool to protect parties from others' pre-marriage debts and safeguard their own pre-marriage assets and investments if the marriage falls apart. The agreement can be set to waive or limit spousal support obligations.

Marriage Contract/Agreement

The married couple can also make a marriage contract. A marriage contract is a tool to protect investments and assets acquired before marriage. Likewise, it makes the person responsible for debts incurred before marriage. It is a tool to protect parties from others' pre-marriage debts and safeguard their own pre-marriage assets and investments if the marriage falls apart. The agreement can be set to waive or limit spousal support obligations.

Cohabitation Agreement

Some couples love living together and growing their family without getting married. It is a common phenomenon and a legally binding situation. For those couples, the cohabitation Agreement protects their personal assets and all the investments they made before entering the cohabitation arrangement. The agreement can be set to waive or limit spousal support obligations.

Separation and Divorce

Unfortunately, sometimes the couple's relations develop unexpectedly, relationships go upside down, and families face numerous challenges, creating chaos, conflict, and insecurity among family members. Family members get apart, spousal relations separate, mental health issues knock on the door, or children get emotionally distressed. In this situation, ending the couple's relationship may be a better option than keeping the relationship alive. You must decide for yourself what is the best option for you and your children's health and prosperity.

At KLF, we are skilled at handling such emotions and complex legal processes. Our dedicated and trusted family law lawyers strive to achieve a beneficial, amicable outcome for you and your children through multiple rounds of discussion and negotiation. We prioritize, where possible, bringing resolutions outside of court on mutually agreed-upon terms. Litigating a family dispute in court is usually a last resort in KLF. We are passionate about helping our clients while minimizing their financial and emotional stress in the family litigation process.

Silent Separation

There is a growing trend of "Silent Separation". In this phase, couples are emotionally and mentally detached yet, again, remain together, usually for financial reasons, children, or other convenience. They live like disconnected roommates, and there may have been the presence of any of the following situations:

• Stop investing in the relationship
• Lack of romantic interaction or absence of intimacy
• Reduced communication and a feeling of being lonely
• Engaged in extramarital activities

These are alarming signs of a "broken down" marriage. If the symptoms persist and you have decided to be legally separated from your spouse, we are here to help you. We will help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights and those of your children.

Living Separate and Apart

You are legally separated as soon as you and your ex are living "separate and apart." It may be that either one of the couples starts living in their own place (owned or rented), or both live in the same house but have separate rooms, meals, and finances.

Separation Agreement

Parties may make the "Separation Agreement" once they decide to stay separate and apart. If the spouses have reached a mutual understanding and joint agreement regarding parenting time, child support, decision-making roles, spousal support, and the division of property, these can be included in the Separation Agreement. Even if not all of these issues are mutually agreed upon, the Separation Agreement can be executed, leaving the court to decide any unresolved issues.

You may file the divorce application in the court, even before the Separation Agreement has been reached, if other criteria are met. Initiating the divorce process requires establishing that the marriage is irretrievably broken down. However, a Separation Agreement is the standard method for establishing this breakdown.

We recommend that the couple make all reasonable efforts to reconcile their marriage before informing their spouse or partner about their intent to separate or divorce. Meeting with our lawyers prior to this is prudent.