Costa Mesa Family Law Attorney

The practice of family law deals with any legal cases that involve relationships between and among family members. This is a sweeping and varied practice area, with laws that differ from one state to the next. Many states can create their own laws and statutes that govern family court proceedings, so it can be difficult to keep track of the laws and regulations. If you need family law services, it is in your best interest to work with an attorney who is well educated, has ample experience, and specializes in family law.

There are many different practice areas covered under the umbrella of family law. Some family law attorneys choose to practice a more generalized form of family law, while others prefer to specialize in a specific area. Some of the most common practice areas in family law include:

• Divorce: Finalizing a divorce is a difficult and emotional process, even if there is no animosity between spouses. These cases require the former couple to untangle their lives, which can be difficult on a mental, financial, and emotional level. Non-contested divorce, where both spouses agree to make the process as easy as possible, still involves many decisions and agreements that must be made. A prenuptial agreement can make the process easier. However, it is still difficult and time-consuming to determine how all assets will be split equitably.
• Child Custody and Child Support: Negotiating child support and child custody agreements is one aspect of divorce proceedings that can be particularly difficult. If the parents can come to an agreement, then this process may be relatively simple. Other cases, though, are contentious and can take years to finalize. Establishing the necessary amount of child support required to maintain the child’s lifestyle can be particularly challenging, as money may be tighter than normal. Determining where the child will live primarily and how they will be cared for can also cause tension. All these issues require considerable time and attention. The best interests of the child should always be at the center of these cases. That can be difficult to achieve if the parents cannot get along.
• Parental Relocation: Ideally, once a child support and custody agreement is reached, it will not need to be changed, but that is not always the case. Some parents must renegotiate their parenting plan because one parent needs to relocate. This process can be difficult and frustrating. It requires an entirely new court proceeding to ensure that the new agreement is still in the best interest of the child. The parent who is relocating must be able to tell the courts why they are leaving, how far they are moving, the child’s feelings about the move, what support their new community will have, and more. All the necessary information must be shared. A judge will then determine whether the move is in the best interest of the child and how the parenting plan should change.
• Domestic Violence: These can be some of the most difficult family law cases to navigate. They are very emotional and often bring up trauma for the victims. When a victim of domestic abuse chooses to press charges against their abuser, they need as much support and as many resources as possible. An expert family law attorney can help ensure they are protected and get the best outcome from their case. Other cases involve individuals who are falsely accused of domestic violence as a means of keeping them from receiving support or custody of their children. In these cases, it is important to work with an expert family law attorney who will fight to ensure that their record is cleared. This can allow them to continue with their family life.
• Spousal Support: While divorce cases that do not involve children are typically easier to manage, there may still be some hurdles to overcome. Alimony, also known as spousal support, refers to the monthly amount that one spouse pays another once they are divorced. California has established guidelines to determine which spouse is responsible for paying support and how much they will have to pay. The couple built a certain lifestyle while they were married, and the goal of spousal support is to ensure that the standard of living can be maintained. The spouse with a higher income will likely be responsible for paying support. To calculate the amount of support, the courts will subtract half of the lower-earning spouse’s income from 40% of the higher-earning spouse’s income.