Family Law Cases
What You Should Know About Divorce and Custody
We are able to help clients resolve any family law problem, whether the matter relates to divorce, dissolution of domestic partnership or child custody. We know the legal process is unfamiliar to most people. We guide clients through complex issues such as prenuptial agreements, assisted reproduction and parental relocation
Listed here are some of the legal matters that we handle in our family law practice
- Divorce: Our attorneys understand that clients face significant stress and anxiety. Our organized approach to divorce and related matters helps remove some of the uncertainty that is inevitable when dealing with challenges involving divorce.
- Spousal Support: Also known as alimony, spousal support is frequently a negotiated matter in California, with the court having significant leeway when determining support awards. We work with financial specialists who can help assess the income available for spousal support awards.
- Domestic Partnership Dissolution: Our lawyers understand the similarities and differences between domestic partnership dissolution and divorce. The law in this area is evolving; clients can be confident that we are aware of current developments in these matters.
- Distribution of Assets: Our attorneys have business and financial training that combines with legal education and experience to make this often-complex process go smoothly.
- Child Custody: Child custody is often the most important issue in divorce. Our firm strives to develop solutions that benefit children and work for parents.
- Child Support: We explain the California child support formula to clients and ensure that all relevant factors are included when the court determines the award.
- Move-away Disputes: Parental relocations can be hotly contested matters. Our attorneys advocate for clients who are seeking to move or who hope to prevent the other parent from moving.
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: Premarital agreements specify how couples will handle their assets during marriage and after a divorce or the death of one of the spouses. Postmarital agreements are similar, but are executed after couples are married
The Divorce Process
The process of bringing the details of a marriage or domestic partnership to an end is a sensitive, stressful and often highly emotional time for the individuals involved. We take pride on navigating our clients through the maze of divorce. From the outset, we will explain your different “process options” for your case – such as litigation, mediation, or collaborative law – and provide you a recommendation on the most appropriate option(s) for your case.
Negotiated Agreement/Settlement
Divorcing couples can reach out of court settlement in a number of ways.
If the couple is able to communicate effectively, they can negotiate the settlement themselves. This is known as the “kitchen table” approach because the couple often negotiates these agreements themselves. Couples who negotiate their own agreements should consult with attorneys before they sign to ensure that they are fully aware of their rights under the law.
Alternatively, divorcing couples may choose to hire their own family law lawyers to negotiate on their behalf. When the parties are committed to settling the case out of court, this option can save each person significant expense while reducing the amount of direct communication with a former spouse.
Mediation
In the mediation process, a neutral mediator, who may or may not be an attorney, meets with the parties to resolve a divorce. The mediator does not act as an attorney for either party and may not give any advice. If appropriate, the mediator may explain pertinent areas of the law to facilitate the discussion and resolution. Parties in mediation frequently retain consulting attorneys for advice during the mediation process.
Our attorneys act as divorce mediators and also serve as consulting attorneys to parties working with mediators.
Collaborative Divorce
In collaborative divorce, the parties use a team of professionals to reach an out of court settlement. The team often consists of one attorney for each party, one mental health professional for each party, a financial consultant, and when appropriate, a child psychologist
Typically the process begins with a meeting where the couple and their respective attorneys discuss the issues related to the divorce. The goal is for the group to act as a team even though each side is represented by his/her own divorce attorney. The couple is encouraged to lead the discussions but they may also have private consultations with their attorneys. Collaborative law encourages the couple to work together in a cooperative environment. If one or both members of the couple chooses to litigate, the divorce attorneys and all other team professionals must withdraw from representation.
Litigation
Litigation is the final alternative when the couple cannot reach a negotiated agreement on all or some of their issues. Through litigation, the couple asks the court to make decisions they cannot resolve. Many people hire divorce attorneys to represent them in all aspects of the divorce. However, a person may choose to represent themselves or to hire an attorney for use as a consultant. It is important to consult an attorney early for legal advice during a divorce. Litigation is a highly adversarial process where the outcome is contingent on complex legal rules and the particular facts of the case.