Dissolution (divorce)
If you are considering filing for divorce, we can help you deal with the dissolution of the marriage and all of the issues that may stem from the filing. Many of our clients face matters regarding fair division of community property and marital debts, spousal support (alimony), child support, and child custody, among other issues. All too often, divorce cases that could conclude easily and amicably deteriorate into complicated, bitter disputes. These disputes result in divorces that are much more painful and expensive than necessary. You and your divorcing spouse need not come out of the divorce process hating each other. Remaining civil to each other can be beneficial in the future, particularly when there are children involved.
Domestic Partnership
A new series of laws which took effect in 2005 give registered domestic partners many of the same rights as married couples. If you are a same sex couple, we can advise you of your rights and help you enter into or dissolve a domestic partnership.
Legal Separation
Legal separation does not officially end a marriage or domestic partnership and has no residency requirements, but it includes all the other elements of a divorce. Clients may choose legal separation for religious reasons or in order to continue providing health insurance for their spouse.
Annulment
An annulment (or "nullity of marriage" or "nullity of domestic partnership") restores the parties to the status of unmarried – as if the marriage or domestic partnership never took place. Because the grounds or reasons must be proven by the person who files, annulments are very rare.
Establishment of Paternity
We handle cases in which clients wish to establish or contest parentage. Establishing parentage means saying who the legal parents of a child are if the parents were not married when the child was born. Usually a child's parentage must be established before you can get child support or custody and visitation orders.
Child Custody and Visitation
Whether you are going through a divorce or you have never been married, you want what is best for your children. Coming up with a child custody and visitation plan that works for your entire family is an important first step. When it comes to developing the best possible child custody and visitation plan, the state of California first considers the best interests of the children in question. We encourage all our clients to put the interests of their children first as well. Decisions regarding the custody of your children are life changing decisions that should be handled with great consideration. It is important to remember that child custody disputes can be very difficult for children. Most often, it is best to try to develop a custody and visitation agreement that is acceptable to all parties. If parents are able to amicably work for a solution, it will likely be easier for the child to heal. It is also important to remember that it is usually in your child's best interest to have the benefit of two loving parents.
Child Support
Child support matters that stem from a divorce or are related to the child of a couple who have never been married can be a major source of bitterness. Often, one of the parents feels that the support ordered by the court is unfair. Child support in California is determined by a formula. This means that any amount ordered in your case will be the same for you as it would be for anybody else in your circumstances. We take the time to explain to our clients the guidelines and computer programs used by the courts to calculate the amount of support.
Spousal Support
Spousal support, previously known as alimony, is the amount of money one spouse pays to the other, by court order, in an effort to maintain the standard of living that both parties were accustomed to during the marriage. Spousal support may be awarded to either spouse.
Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements
The purpose of a pre-nuptial agreement is to protect assets or income of a couple who plan to marry, while a post-nuptial agreement protects the couple after marriage. Nobody wants to think at the beginning of a marriage that it will ever end in divorce, however the statistics on divorce in the United States cannot be ignored. A properly drawn and executed pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement can help resolve financial concerns today and prevent problems from arising in the future.
Restraining Orders
No one should suffer physical or emotional abuse in a relationship. Domestic violence is defined broadly under California law, and includes violence between current partners and spouses as well as former partners or spouses. Family violence damages everyone involved, including children and other family members. If you have been abused, we can help you through the process of seeking and obtaining a restraining order.
Modification of Existing Orders
Existing court orders may need to be revised due to a significant change in circumstances such as a move away from the area, employment changes, or changes in the needs of the children as they get older. We can assist you in obtaining a modification so that your court orders accurately reflect your current life and circumstances.
Name Changes
There are many legitimate reasons why people seek a name and/or gender change -- divorce, complicated spelling, tricky pronunciation, personal preference, and many other reasons. Regardless of the reason you are changing your name and/or gender, we can handle the matter efficiently and affordably.
Limited Scope Representation
Limited scope representation is a way that an attorney can help you with part of your case while you do as much of the work on the case as you feel comfortable with. You and the attorney agree on the specific tasks to be performed by the attorney. You represent yourself in all other aspects of the case. For example, you may want assistance with legal procedures, document preparation, drafting agreements, or coaching for your court hearing, while you handle the rest of your case. This is a good way to get the most value if you have a limited budget for legal expenses.
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