Family Law

Family Law Appeals Attorney

Decisions made in family court can affect the future of your family, your children’s well-being, and your safety, depending on your circumstances. When these decisions don’t go the way you hoped, you may be able to file an appeal.

If you feel the trial court misapplied the law when ruling on your case, a family law appeals attorney from DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, can help you challenge this decision and seek the resolution you desire. Our experienced lawyers have successfully settled appeals and will fight for you following an inequitable ruling.

Family Law Cases in Washington, DC

When preparing to appeal the court’s ruling, you must understand that family law appeals are not re-trials. Instead, you will present your case to the appellate court. A panel of judges will ascertain if the trial court misapplied the law and skewed the results due to a legal mistake.

It’s up to the appellate court to determine if the family court failed to apply the law correctly and accurately. Should the appellate court rule that the family court made a mistake that affected the outcome of your case, it may overturn the previous decision.

The types of cases that might require an appeal include:

  • Child custody and visitation rights.
  • Separation agreements.
  • Division of property.
  • Spouse and child support orders.
  • Domestic violence cases.

However, appealing family law cases is highly complex and requires professional guidance. Without the proper research, paperwork, and understanding of the law, you may struggle to challenge the trial court’s decision. An appeals attorney from DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, can provide the services you need to succeed in the appellate court.

What to Consider Before Making an Appeal

When preparing to challenge the trial court’s decision, remember that simply disagreeing with the outcome of your case is not enough to secure a successful appeal. You must prove to the appellate court that the family court made a legal mistake involving the misapplication of the law.

It is unfortunate when a judge misinterprets the facts of a case and it results in an unfavorable outcome. However, these instances will likely not justify an appeal in the eyes of the appellate court. With this knowledge in mind, it’s necessary to enlist the assistance of a family law appeals attorney to help you define the legal mistake warranting a reversal of the initial decision.

For example, child custody cases consider the welfare and best interests of the child. If a family court judge grants custody to a parent without considering these aspects of the case, you could reasonably file an appeal. Likewise, suppose your case has no legal precedent or the law applied to your case results in an inequitable outcome. In that case, a successful appeal may be possible.

Another instance that may allow for an appeal is when the evidence provided in the initial case contradicts the judge’s ruling. A judge must decide the outcome using the facts of the case. If none of the evidence supports the judge’s decision, you may have grounds to challenge their ruling.

However, consider that appellate courts hear very few family law appeals. Undergoing this process requires much energy, time, and money. Before deciding to appeal a family court ruling, examine your options and carefully consider if filing an appeal is right for you.

Why You Need a Family Law Appeals Attorney

Navigating family law appeals requires extensive legal experience and efficacy in court. Likewise, there are several responsibilities placed on the appellant that may prove challenging without the help of an experienced family law attorney.

Most family law cases appear in the circuit court or the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC) in Virginia. The JDRDC is primarily responsible for spousal or child support and child custody issues. If you seek to reverse a decision made by the JDRDC, you must file your appeal within 10 days after the initial ruling with the circuit court.

Appealing a circuit court ruling requires applying to the Virginia Court of Appeals, and you must apply within 30 days of the initial ruling.

During this time, a family law attorney could examine the details of your case and the court’s decision and help you prepare for the appeal. If you choose to challenge the trial court’s decision, there are specific actions that you must take before the hearing.

Responsibilities of the Appellant

You have to file a formal notice of appeal and pay the required fees. Then, the appellate court will likely require the paperwork that provides your legal arguments for the appeal. If you fail to gather and file this paperwork accurately or within the time frame established by the appellate court, the court could delay or dismiss your case altogether.

Finally, you must prepare an oral argument to present in court to support your appeal.

Completion of these steps is difficult without legal experience. Enlisting the services of a family law appeals attorney from DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, will ensure accurate and timely preparation that will save you stress during this process. We can collect and file the necessary paperwork, direct you to the required fees and their deadlines, and assist you in preparing your oral argument.

Reversing a family court ruling is challenging and resource-intensive, but it is not impossible. A family law appeals attorney can provide legal advice and help you determine the correct approach for your case. They can also gather all the necessary materials to support your appeal.

Family law cases can be distressing, but the experienced attorneys at DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, are here to support you. We will act to the best of our abilities to secure you the resolution you desire and ensure your satisfaction following the appeal.

Contact an Experienced Family Law Appeals Attorney in Washington, DC

With more than 60 years of combined experience, the family lawyers of DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, have the skills necessary to assist you in any legal matters you face. No matter how complex or emotionally charged the case, we are prepared to work toward your desired outcome with vigilance and care.

Your needs are important to us. We know that every case we handle comes with its own unique circumstances, so we take care to personalize our approach with each client. Our skilled attorneys can assist you through various family law matters, including:

  • High net-worth divorce.
  • Military divorce.
  • Spousal or child support.
  • Child custody and visitation orders.
  • Prenuptial agreements.
  • Restraining orders in domestic violence cases.

If you seek to appeal the ruling of your family law case, we can clarify your options and provide the legal guidance you require. Do not allow an unjust or erroneous ruling to disrupt your life. Protect your future, your loved ones, and your rights with the help of an experienced family law appeals attorney.

Contact DiPietro Law Group, PLLC, in Washington, DC, today at (888)-530-4374 to discuss how we can serve you and your family.

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