Family Law Lawyers Missoula, MT

For over 13 years, our attorneys have been committed to providing the best family law, divorce, and child welfare services in Montana. We act in the best interest of you and your family, whether that means negotiating a fair settlement or following through with a contested trial.

What is Family Law?

Family Law covers many legal issues like divorce, annulment of marriage, legal separation, creating or modification of parenting plans,  prenuptial agreements, paternity, legal name changes, guardianship, adoption, and several other important areas involving families. For a better idea of legal terms and to research what you may be looking for visit our explanation of family law terms page.

We’re fundamentally interested in using our skills and experience as family law and divorce attorneys in Missoula and Bozeman MT, to help families during some of the most challenging times in their lives.

We understand the stress and anxiety you may be feeling and the challenges you’re facing. We’re here to help you and are on your side. Our lawyers offer excellent family law services at reasonable rates that you can afford. You need to consider your family, your children, your finances, and your future. We’ll help you navigate this challenging journey. Call us in Missoula at (406) 721-3354, or in Bozeman at (406) 602-8700.

Alesha S. - Dissolution and Temporary Order of Protection issues resolved in client’s favor in 1 hearing.

Stephanie A. – Multi-million dollar estate with multiple businesses and properties resolved to client’s satisfaction.

Sheryl H. – Awarded default judgment against husband, and prevailed in client’s favor.

Chris C. - Dissolution granted and custody and maintenance awarded in client’s favor.

Jonathan B. – Dissolution granted, property, business and child issues successfully granted in client’s favor.

Our process is simple: we listen to you and provide you with the best legal representation available. Of course, there’s more to it than that, but that’s the fundamental philosophy of the family law practice at Judnich Law Office.

We encourage you to contact us for a no obligation consultation. Share your story and concerns with us and we’ll help you to understand your options and how you may wish to proceed. Our consultations are always confidential, even if you don't hire us.

We’ll answer all of your initial consultation questions at no charge if you retain us.

At Judnich Law we’re experienced in a variety of family law specialties, including: Divorce, Child Custody, Child Visitation, and Child Support, to name just a few. Keep reading to learn more about our areas of expertise.

Divorce

A divorce, also known as a dissolution of marriage, isn’t just the end of your marriage. The results of your divorce can impact the rest of your life, your ex-partner’s life, your living situation and your children’s lives. Divorce can be a confusing, stressful, and contentious process, especially if you and your spouse don’t see eye-to-eye. Having an advocate fight for your interests will ensure you do things the right way the first time and can move on feeling assured you are protected and have received everything you deserve.

No matter how simple and amicable the end of your marriage may seem, you need a lawyer to look out for your rights. Basic issues exist for any divorce such as debt, assets, loans, real estate, life insurance and others that you need an attorney to help you negotiate the division of these issues. As a divorce proceeds, other issues emerge including spousal support (alimony), division of significant assets, and child custody, visitation and child support. Some of these issues are time sensitive, so if you are considering a divorce, contact us to discuss your options.

Child Custody, Child Visitation, & Child Support

In any divorce that involves children, it is the children’s well-being that is most important. At Judnich Law Office we represent parents involved in child custody, child visitation, and child support disputes and changes. We can help negotiate agreements between parents or if no agreement can be reached we will fight for your rights in court before a judge.

Child support calculations have guidelines that must be considered and our office can help you rest assured that your children are receiving everything they are supposed to be receiving. In addition to child custody disputes between parents, we represent parents who are facing an investigation by the Department of Family Services, as well as parents whose children have been removed from their custody.

We will work with you to assure the courts that you are the best parent for your children, and do everything possible to ensure the best placement for your children.

Guardian ad Litem Services

We can act as a Guardian ad Litem in Missoula, Ravalli, and Lake Counties.

Guardian ad Litems are appointed by the Court, and/or by the agreement of the parents to:

• Investigate a child[ren]'s circumstances
• Advocate on behalf of the child
• Make recommendations regarding both temporary and final parenting plans that will best meet the child's best interests

Other Family Law Specialties

Family law is more than divorce and child custody, however. Our attorneys at the Judnich Law Office can represent you in a variety of family law situations and conflicts, including:

Adoptions, Step-Parent Adoptions, & Second Parent Adoptions

We help facilitate a variety of adoptions, including both contested and uncontested-- when biological parents relinquish their parental rights. We also work with step-parents who are looking to adopt their stepchildren.

We work with all parents, including LGBT couples looking to secure parental rights for their families. Depending on the type of adoption you’re involved in, we can help you work with the Department of Family Services or a private adoption agency.

If you have any questions about any kind of adoption proceedings, get in touch. We’ll answer your questions, free of charge.

Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement helps engaged couples protect the property and finances they are bringing to their marriage. A prenuptial agreement can cover each party’s rights to owned or shared property, how assets will be divided up in the case of divorce or death, and any other matters related to a couple’s assets.

We can help you negotiate a prenuptial agreement, as well as review any prenuptial agreement that you’ve been asked to sign.

Legal Separations

Grandparents

In Montana, prior to filing for divorce, spouses must live separately for at least 180 days. A legal separation can be used as precursor or alternative to filing for divorce. The main difference is that a legal separation does not end your marriage. It does, however, prevent you or your spouse from marrying anyone else.

Some spouses may prefer a legal separation instead when their marriage is stressed but are not certain they want to file for divorce. We’re available to help you file for a legal separation or answer any questions you have about legal separations in Montana.

While these are the most common areas of our family law practice, we’re also available to counsel you on issues related to:

• Restraining orders
• Annulments
• Domestic disputes
• Grandparent’s Rights & Custody
• Paternity
• Legal name changes

Photo Credits: Hernán Piñera, Remus Pereni

“Living out of state my wife and I were concerned about whether our legal matter would be handled well. We are astonished by how easy working with Judnich Law Office was. Brandi Greer was always prompt to reply to our questions and concerns. We recommend Judnich Law Office for your legal needs knowing they are committed to helping their clients navigate issues of law.”

— Joe Dupuis