Experienced | Dedicated | Professional
Ballew Hazen Byrd PC LLO, founded in 1999, is a specialized law firm with a state-wide practice devoted to matrimonial and family law
Areas of Practice
Premarital Agreements
It is increasingly common for people with significant assets or an expectancy of wealth to enter into a Premarital Agreement. This is particularly so for second marriages. We view it as a form of estate planning. These documents must be worded carefully and executed well in advance of the marriage date.
Divorce
With the exception of the loss of a loved one, no life event can be more traumatic than a divorce. The implications from a legal and emotional standpoint affect everyone involved, particularly children. You only get one chance to do it right. We have helped thousands of people navigate the process. We understand how to help guide you along the way.
Child Custody and Parenting Issues
Issues related to children are among the most important we handle in our practice. Guiding you through the determination of custody, parenting time and financial issues are all part of what we do. Significant and difficult issues also arise when a parent with physical or joint custody wants to relocate to another state. We have significant experience in all of these areas.
Paternity Proceedings
When an unmarried couple has a child, it is imperative that legal paternity of the child be established by the courts. In addition, specific provisions regarding custody, parenting time, support, access to health insurance and other issues should be clearly delineated. These cases can be very acrimonious, making court orders imperative.
Appellate Practice
When a trial is necessary for the court to determine unresolved issues, the court will issue findings and a decision. At times, the court’s decision requires a review by the Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court. Members of this office have appeared before both courts on many occasions in connection with appeals in various areas of the law. There are very specific procedures and rules governing appeals and this office has significant experience in handling these matters.
Family Law Mediation
Post-Decree Modification
Few things in life are certain. One certainty is change. Following a divorce, people move or remarry. Children grow up. Employment and earnings change. Although property aspects of a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage are normally not modifiable, child custody, parenting time and child and spousal support are some of the matters that can be changed. For this change to take place, a material change in circumstances since entry of a Decree must occur. Our firm handles modification proceedings and we take great care in drafting the documents necessary to incorporate either a stipulation of the parties or the findings of a court if the matter must be litigated.
Power of Attorney & Advance Directives
A Power of Attorney will allow someone of your choice to exercise powers that you designate to them in the event you are incapacitated. A Power of Attorney can be very limited or it can be very broad, depending upon the circumstances. A Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows you to appoint someone to make important healthcare-related decisions on your behalf should you not be able to do so. Similarly, through an Advance Directive (sometimes referred to as a Living Will), you can direct to what extent medical personnel are to continue medication and life support in the event of a critical illness or injury. Our office has significant experience in drafting these documents and in many cases, we recommend that people execute new Powers of Attorney once a divorce has been commenced.