Huntington Beach Family Law Attorney
Family law refers to a group of statutes that pertain to the legal rights and responsibilities of family members. The practice of family law involves any disputes or legal issues that may arise among family members. Many family law cases involve parties related by blood or marriage, but this branch of civil law may affect more distant relatives or casual relationships, as well.
Because family law matters tend to be particularly sensitive and emotionally charged, retaining legal counsel from an experienced Huntington Beach family law lawyer is key for reaching an effective solution for the entire family.
Huntington Beach Practice Areas
Contact the Dorie A. Rogers
When you first step into our offices, we will walk you through the entire process, so you will know what to expect. Taking the time to understand your family dynamics and goals, we will help you develop a strategy at our first meeting. From that point forward, we will continue to pursue your rights in accordance with our strategy whether it is with hearings or negotiations until the time of trial or conclusion by settlement.
With our strategic planning we will be prepared from the onset to accomplish our goals regardless of the challenges we encounter. Gathering all of your financial information we will collect a complete picture as we determine if outside experts should be brought in to strengthen your case. We work with a network of forensic accountants, psychologists, and investigators in order to best assist our clients in furthering their goals. We can also refer you to counselors as needed.
We Can Help You Navigate Family Law Issues
At the Dorie A. Rogers, we have decades of experience representing clients during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Our team is skilled at developing personalized, creative strategies to obtain the best results. We are committed to exploring every avenue possible to accomplish these goals and achieve the optimal outcome for your future.
Our firm handles every kind of family law case, including:
- Marital Agreements
We can help you draft a prenuptial agreement that defines each party’s responsibilities for maintaining the health and success of the marital relationship and addresses their individual financial needs if the marriage ends. These legal contracts provide much-needed peace of mind that your rights and interests will be protected even your marriage does not work the way you intend. They are particularly valuable for individuals with high net worth and valuable assets. - Cohabitation Agreements
Many couples are foregoing traditional marriages in favor of cohabitating with their spouses. However, California does not recognize common law marriages, so these couples are not entitled to receive portions of their spouse’s property unless they create a legal contract that outlines such an agreement. If you are romantically involved and live with a domestic partner but do not plan to marry, a cohabitation agreement is essential. The document can set expectations for these living arrangements and protect both partners from unnecessary financial hardship if you decide to separate. - Divorce
Dissolving a marriage involves a variety of complex legal issues that must be resolved before a judge will grant your divorce petition. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not need to provide justification for legally terminating your marriage. We can help you pursue a divorce after you and your spouse determine that your irreconcilable differences have made it impossible to sustain your marriage in a way that protects both your interests. - Property Division
Every state has its own specific laws for handling property after a divorce or separation. California is considered a community property state, meaning any assets, property, and income acquired during a marriage are subject to equal division in a divorce. We can help you determine the difference between separate and community property, gather documentation to prove sole ownership over separate property, and ensure your spouse is fully disclosing their assets so you receive a fair portion of the marital estate. - Paternity Actions
If parents are unmarried at the time of a child’s birth and the father is not listed on the birth certificate, custody becomes more complex. Legally establishing paternity is required to handle matters of child custody and visitation and draft binding child support arrangements. Whether you are a father suspicious that your alleged child is not biologically yours or a mother looking to secure child support from your co-parent, our team can assist you in pursuing formal paternity actions to resolve the issue. - Child Custody and Support
Having children makes the divorce process significantly more complicated. For example, you will be expected to reach an agreement on a parenting plan before your divorce is granted. If you cannot come to terms outside of the courtroom, a judge will be given ultimate decision-making power in assigning custody and setting child support amounts. We can work with you to draft a fair, mutually beneficial parenting plan that protects your child’s best interests. If your circumstances change or your child needs additional support, we can help you request an order to accommodate these changes. - Divorce Mediation
Divorce litigation can be expensive and time-consuming. Worse, a heated legal battle can negatively impact your ability to peacefully co-parent your children. Mediation is a cost-effective alternative to divorce litigation that allows you to negotiate your divorce agreement on your own terms. Dorie A. Rogers is a certified family law facilitator and offers divorce mediation services so you can resolve any contested issues, minimize conflict, and ensure your divorce proceedings remain fair.
Family Law Support FAQs
Q: What does family law mean?
A: Family law is a practice area of civil law concerned with issues and disputes affecting family relationships. A Huntington Beach family lawyer can inform you of your rights and explain how the law applies to your case. They can draft and file legal documents like court petitions or prenuptial agreements and represent you in settlement negotiations or court hearings.
Q: What are the types of family law?
A: A family law attorney may specialize in a few distinct areas of family law or offer a wide variety of legal services. Family law cases can involve the following issues:
- Marriage contracts (such as prenuptial and postnuptial agreements)
- Cohabitation, civil union, or domestic partnership agreements
- Marriage dissolution (divorce, separation, or annulment)
- Termination of civil unionsor domestic partnerships
- Alternative dispute resolution and mediation
- Property division
- Paternity
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support
- Spousal support
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Juvenile matters (such as child abuse and neglect)
- Termination of parental rights
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Emancipation of minors
Q: How much do family law attorneys charge?
A: Family law attorneys in California bill hourly for their services and charge approximately $300 to $500 per hour. The total cost of a case depends on the specific issues at hand, the attorney’s experience, the complexity of the case, the amount of time it takes to resolve, and the level of cooperation among the involved parties.
Q: How is spousal support calculated in CA?
A: Spousal support is calculated based on the following factors:
- The length of the marriage
- The health and age of each party
- The income, assets, obligations, and tax consequences of each party
- The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during marriage
- Whether the earning capacity of the recipient spouse is sufficient to retain this standard of living
- Whether the recipient spouse contributed to the paying spouse’s education, career training, professional licensing, or position
- Whether the recipient spouse experienced prolonged periods of unemployment so they could devote their time to child raising and other domestic duties
- The ability of the paying spouse to provide support to the recipient spouse
- Any criminal convictions for domestic violence offenses perpetrated by one spouse against the other
Prepare for the Future with an Expert Law Firm
Family law cases involve many complex factors and can become even more difficult without legal guidance. It is natural to feel uncertain and overwhelmed, but you don’t have to face these issues alone. The Dorie A. Rogers can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and navigate your family law matters successfully. Whether we can secure a favorable settlement through negotiation or must take your case to trial, you can count on our team for comprehensive, compassionate legal representation. Contact us today to speak with our Huntington Beach family law lawyers about your situation.
“Dorie is a very powerful attorney and a great asset to have on your side in any family legal matter. She is extremely bright and insightful, and I got everything I asked for in my lawsuit.”
“I would strongly recommend Ms. Dorie Rogers for any legal needs. During my Divorce proceedings, Dorie’s professionalism, expertise in Divorce Law and legal skill helped bring my case to a close in both a timely and mutually agreeable manner.Additionally, Dorie took the time to understand me and my background to better represent me in my case. She showed a level of caring and concern that helped me through a very difficult time. She is an outstanding lawyer and wonderful person.”
“Second to none – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dorie to anyone. She was my attorney for my divorce and custody case. She will do everything it takes to get the job done and all with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and expertise will assist anyone in a family law situation get the results they want.”
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