Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Family Lawyers in Independence

Our Recommended Top 4

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Independence Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

74

Reviewed

46

Curated

4

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
4700 Belleview Ave Suite 100C, Kansas City, MO 64112
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce
  • Family
  • Child Support

Why choose this provider?

Kevin Puckett, Attorney at Law, LLC, caters to Independence clients. The firm adopts an aggressive approach to advocate for the interests of individuals in divorce proceedings. It also addresses their concerns regarding child support and custody. The firm has experience representing clients accused of contempt of court. Its namesake and principal attorney, Kevin Puckett, has been in the field for over five years. He previously worked at the University of Missouri's Child and Family Services Clinic.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.5 / 5 (43)
Avvo
4.8 / 5 (19)
FindLaw
4.5 / 5 (14)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: free 30-minute consultations

Independence, MO

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Family Lawyer in Independence? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
201 N. Spring St, Independence, MO 64050
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Jacoby Law Firm delivers family relations solutions to the residents of Independence. The firm takes on marital dissolution issues and the concurrent concerns surrounding the custody of children and the support of partners. It resolves paternity disputes and files petitions for the modification of decrees. The office also handles criminal defense matters involving juvenile offenders and violations of protective orders. Counsel Shanna Jacoby is the assistant prosecutor for the City of Lake Tapawingo. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Arts.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.8
Google
3.8 / 5 (17)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
200 S. Spring St., Ste. 200, Independence, MO 64050
  • Alimony
  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Why choose this provider?

Spitaleri Law Firm caters to people in Independence. It is led by Angela Spitaleri, a guardian ad litem and mediator who focuses on family and domestic law matters, such as guardianship, child support, paternity, and divorce. Employing a family-centered approach, she informs clients of the potential outcomes of their cases to help them make educated decisions for their families. Spitaleri has been added to the list of Top 10 Family Law Attorneys Under 40 in Missouri by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.2 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.