Lawyers who practice family law handle cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, grandparent visitation, guardianships, and adoptions (among other things). Divorce and related cases can be some of the most stressful events in your life. When you hire a lawyer to help you in this stressful period, you want a lawyer who understands what you are going through.
Divorce
People who are contemplating divorce often experience intense emotional turmoil. Doubt and fear of the unknown, along with emotional warfare with your soon to be former spouse, can overwhelm and obscure crucial questions that you must ask about your rights and legal options. A divorce must be certified by a court of law, as a legal action is needed to dissolve the prior legal act of marriage. The terms of the divorce are also determined by the court, though they may take into account prenuptial agreements or postnuptial agreements, or simply ratify terms that the spouses have agreed on privately. Often, however, the spouses disagree about the terms of the divorce, which can lead to stressful… 
Child Support
The income of both parents is taken into account, and the noncustodial parent’s payment is reduced proportionally if the child spends more than a quarter of the year overnight in that parent’s home. Child support can also be adjusted upward or downward to account for hardships, financial responsibilities for other children, or economically significant special needs of the child. In paternity cases, an unmarried father will not receive credit for overnight visits without a visitation or joint physical custody order in place…
Child Custody
Generally, there are two types of custody: Legal and Physical. Legal Custody involves responsibility for major decisions that effect the children’s lives. Examples include decisions related to the health, education, general welfare, and/or religious upbringing of the children. California and many other states have a preference for joint (shared) Legal Custody of the children, whenever possible. Determining parenting time should be a joint effort of both parents. Ideally, parents should develop a plan in consultation with each other. A plan should take into consideration…
Spousal Support / Alimony
If you are not at a fault for the breakup of the marriage, in need of support for the necessities of your life, and the other side has the ability to contribute to your support, then you are likely entitled to final spousal support. Final spousal support is far more restrictive than interim support, but the advantage is that it is possible to receive this for the rest of your life as long as you do not remarry (or the court determines that your are cohabiting in the manner of married persons). Final spousal support essentially, however, will allow you just to pay your bills. Spousal support agreements are incredibly important during and following divorces…
Prenuptial Agreements
Although previously considered with much controversy, prenuptial agreements (often referred to as “prenup” agreements) are becoming more commonplace. They offer couples who are getting married the security of an agreement regarding such topics as child custody, spousal support and property distribution in the case of divorce or the death of one spouse. A family law attorney can help you create a prenuptial agreement if this is something you are considering. You will find that an attorney’s advice and input on this matter will allow you to fully cover all bases and create a prenuptial agreement that will be best for you and your future spouse.…
