If there is one thing that almost all people across the world have in common, it’s that family life doesn’t always run smoothly. In fact, familial problems are one of the most frequent reasons that people request legal advice. However, if you’ve been lucky enough to have not faced any issues that are too serious, you may not know which types of family problems can be dealt with by members of the legal profession. Alternately, some may feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help – but there really is no need to suffer in silence.

Common domestic family issues

The issues that we deal with here at our law firm are in no way limited to South Africa; they apply to people on a global scale. To give you some idea of the most frequent cases that are dealt with, here is just a small selection:

– Divorce
– Domestic violence
– Drug and alcohol addiction
– Parental problems (such as custody)
– Child maintenance
– Ante-nuptial contracts

One particular approach that can be very successful in the cases listed above (and many more) is that of holistic law. Whilst this concept has many definitions depending on whom you ask, it’s generally agreed that the holistic approach refers to taking the feelings of every party into account – and looking at the problem from every different perspective before taking action. This approach can enable new solutions that may be overlooked using more conventional forms of legal counsel.

Drug addiction: an insidious issue

We all know that togetherness is a key factor in the success of family life, but sometimes issues can disrupt that harmony and make it unattainable. Drug addiction is a good example of this, and one that can find its way into any family from any walk of life. Regardless of the huge volume of educational material on drug abuse available from the government, the statistics for addiction to drugs like heroin is on the rise. And in a family setting, this can cause huge problems. Things such as stealing to support a habit are commonly dealt with by many legal practices. Holistic legal help and more conventional support can be invaluable in the case of familial drug addiction. If you’re worried that this issue may be affecting a member of your family, there are steps you can take. Start with a heroin addiction self assessment test (available for other drugs too), then contact either a doctor or a legal professional to see what the best next steps in your situation may be.

Divorce proceedings and child custody

We all know that marriages don’t always work out, but that’s no reason to think that the process needs to be messy – especially when there are children involved. The divorce rate in South Africa has risen to more than 50,000 cases between 2012 and 2013, so it’s in no way an unusual problem. For this reason, we believe that divorce proceedings and custody arrangements can be dealt with in a realistic, adult and holistic way. Much like addiction, these problems can quickly get out of hand – that’s why it’s so important to act as soon as you can, and bring in an independent mediator to help show you the right path out of your issue. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed by your divorce or relationship worries, it’s an everyday occurrence, but it’s one you shouldn’t suffer from for longer than you have to. Speak to a legal professional today and find a new way out.

Help is on hand

Whatever you do, whichever domestic or family issues you may be tackling, don’t do it in silence. There is lots of help out there, whether you’re battling addiction or a custody issue – all you have to do is reach out and say something. In many cases, the advice you receive will be free of charge and you’ll be able to explore answers that you may never have even considered before. At law firms such as ours, we’ve seen the full spectrum of family problems, and we know which approach works best for each one – so there really is no need to suffer in silence. With the right help, your family can get back on track again.