Family law attorneys handle some of the most emotionally charged legal matters—divorce, child custody, alimony, and domestic disputes. It is one of the hardest jobs in the legal industry. And, legal issues rarely exist in isolation. Many family law clients also find themselves facing personal injury claims, workers’ compensation disputes, or even criminal charges.
When these situations arise, family law attorneys need a trusted referral network to ensure their clients receive the best possible legal representation across all aspects of their case. That’s where we come in.
Common Crossovers Between Family Law and Other Legal Areas
1. Auto Wrecks and Other Injuries Which Occur During a Divorce.
A car accident during divorce proceedings can have significant legal consequences. We work with you and your clients to first determine fault and liability. Where one spouse is found responsible for the accident, it can affect the division of assets and liabilities in the divorce settlement. The spouse at fault may have to bear a larger share of the financial burden. By comparison, if someone going through a divorce is injured by some other driver’s negligence, they may be entitled to a substantial recovery.
Additionally, any compensation from a personal injury claim related to the accident may be subject to division between spouses. We work closely with the family law attorney to ensure that our client gets the best recovery, both with respect to the auto claim, and the divorce claim.
2. Workers’ Compensation Claims Affecting Support Agreements
Many divorces involve spousal or child support calculations that rely on employment income. If your client suffers a workplace injury and can no longer earn at the same level, they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. On the flip side, if the paying spouse is injured and their income decreases, this could lead to modifications in support obligations. Third, in the tragic event that a spouse is killed on the job, our attorneys are dedicated to exploring potential wrongful death claims while also securing workers’ compensation dependency benefits. A knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer can help navigate these claims while keeping family law considerations in mind.
3. Criminal Defense Needs for Family Law Clients
Family law disputes sometimes involve DUI arrests, protective order violations, or accusations of domestic violence. Even minor charges can have serious consequences, including loss of custody or visitation rights. If your client is facing criminal allegations, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect their rights and mitigate the impact on their family case.
A Note on Domestic Violence.
Divorces and separations can sometimes lead to heated conflicts, which, unfortunately, may escalate into physical altercations or reckless behavior. If a spouse or partner has been injured due to domestic violence, they may have grounds for a personal injury claim. However, unfortunately, insurance does not typically cover intentional or criminal acts, so the majority of personal injury claims involving domestic violence are not worth pursuing, because the person being sued lacks adequate assets to pay a judgment. That said, when extremely high-net-worth individuals get into serious physical altercations, a personal injury attorney can be necessary and worthwhile to hire, even though insurance is not available to cover the damages. These high-net-worth individuals, with millions in assets, are not “judgment proof”, and may be sued directly with a reasonable expectation of financial recovery. Having a reliable personal injury attorney in your network ensures your clients can seek the compensation they deserve.
How We Can Help
At Morrison and Hughes, we handle personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense, working closely with family law attorneys to provide comprehensive legal support. When you refer your clients to us, you gain:
If you’re a family law attorney looking to expand your professional referral network, we’d love to connect. We honor co-counsel fees and get you and your clients the best possible recovery. Let’s work together to provide holistic legal solutions for the clients who need them most.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your practice and your clients.
