Families are complicated. As much as we want them to be peaceful, conflict often arises between family members that requires legal intervention. From dissolving your marriage to adopting a child, lots of big life events fall under the umbrella term of family law.

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.

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What Is Family Law?

If you are dealing with a family dispute, your case likely falls within the broad category of family law, and an experienced family law attorney, like Dorie A. Rogers, can help your case. If you are dealing with any of the following situations, you are likely dealing with a case that falls under this broad practice area.

Divorce

If you or your partner wants to file for divorce, you should contact a legal professional to guide you through this time. There are different types of divorce in California, including complex, contested, and uncontested. Your family law attorney can help determine which one you are dealing with and outline how you should proceed. From making a plan to divide up marital property to helping with mediation to resolve conflict, your lawyer can help with all details of the divorce process.

Even if you and your partner are not yet married or are still married, you might plan for the potential future by drawing up a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. These agreements will help you make a binding plan for how to divide assets in the event that you do get divorced one day. Although it might not be a pretty thought, it is a wise idea to make such plans when you and your partner are happy and not down the line when things might get ugly.

Child Custody, Support, and More

If you are splitting from a partner you had children with, you will have to carefully make decisions about the kids. Your lawyer can help as you negotiate the terms of child support, make a plan for child custody after a divorce, or investigate and prove someone’s paternity. Unfortunately, people also often encounter problems with child support, such as not getting the payments they need or needing to get out of making the payments. Your lawyer can give you support in all of this so you can turn your focus on yourself and your family.

A family law attorney can also help you if you are thinking about adopting a child. Adoption is a joyful yet complicated process, and your lawyer can help make it easy to understand so you can concentrate on growing your family.

Domestic Violence

A family law attorney can help victims press charges against their abuser and take actions that keep them safe during this process. A family law attorney can also fight to prevent people from being falsely accused of domestic violence. Violence in a household is an extremely dangerous situation that can make for extremely complicated legal processes. If you or someone you love has dealt with a situation of domestic violence, you should put your trust in the hands of a capable lawyer to ensure you do not add to the emotional distress of this time.

What Can a Family Law Attorney Do to Help?

No matter what situation you and your family are dealing with, navigating the legal complexities of a family law situation is tricky. Going it alone can add a great deal of stress to an already distressing time and take time away from family members who might need your emotional support and presence throughout this period. If you go through the process without a lawyer, you might make decisions motivated by emotions rather than logic and end up hurting yourself. You might also make mistakes that require a lawyer later down the line anyway and take up more of your time and money.

When you hire a family law attorney, you can breathe easier and know that your situation is being handled by someone who knows exactly how to go about it. Your family law lawyer can handle all of the following things and more:

Providing Informed Legal Advice: Family matters can understandably leave you feeling lost and unsure of how to proceed to resolve a situation. No matter what your questions are, your lawyer can carefully listen to your case, learn about your needs, and come up with a strategic plan of legal action for going forward.
Completing Paperwork: No matter what kind of case you’re facing, you will need to complete a lot of paperwork when you’re involved in the San Juan family court system. Your lawyer can make sure that you complete all of the necessary documents and that you do so correctly to avoid any delays or errors that may count against you in your case.

Collecting Evidence: From property tracing to fighting for a child’s custody, your family law attorney knows how to track down and use evidence to back up your case. While you might think you can collect evidence on your own, a lawyer likely has ideas of what to use and how to go about using evidence that you have not thought of. Also, your San Juan family law attorney will have been through similar types of cases before and will thus know how to prepare for any potential unforeseen challenges or variables that complicate the case.
Aid in Negotiations: One of the trickiest parts of family law cases is that they often involve emotions running high between people with long histories. Sometimes, trying to reach an agreement with people you know is harder than with strangers because you know how to hurt one another and complicate each other’s lives. When you bring in a lawyer to aid in the process, you are receiving unbiased assistance.
Defend You in Court: Oftentimes, family law cases do not need to proceed to the actual courtroom, but in the event that they do, your family law attorney will have been prepared for the event from the start. Walking into the courtroom with a hard-working attorney at your side who is ready to stand up for your rights can sometimes make the difference between getting everything and losing everything.

All of these situations in family court can bring up difficult emotions, so turning to the guidance of an unbiased legal professional can be extremely helpful during this period. It is important to note that different states have different approaches to family law cases, so make sure you speak with a lawyer who is familiar with and has practiced in your state.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in California?

A: The price of your divorce in California will depend on the situation you and your family need assistance with. For instance, if you need consistent legal support throughout a long child custody battle, you will likely be facing higher legal fees than if you need a lawyer for a shorter process. You can typically expect to encounter hourly rates from around $300-$500. However, everyone’s needs and costs are unique. Talking with a lawyer can help you gain a better understanding of what costs you can expect to pay.

Q: Why Do You Need a Family Lawyer in California?

A: If you are facing a tense family conflict that seems impossible to resolve on your own, you should consider getting in touch with a family lawyer. For example, if you need help tracking down alimony payments or working out child custody disagreements, you could use the guidance of a family law attorney. Even if you think your family law issue is amicable, like in the situation of an uncontested divorce, you could still benefit from having a lawyer in your corner.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for Child Custody in California?

A: In many cases, you will be able to file a petition for custody on your own. However, if you’re dealing with a child custody case in the state of California, you can benefit from a family law attorney’s guidance. You want to fight as hard as possible for time with your kids, and a lawyer can help ensure you have all the evidence, paperwork, and strong arguments you need to get what you and your child deserve.

Q: Are Family Law Cases Confidential in California?

A: Some family court cases are kept confidential in California, but it depends on the type of case and the circumstances. For instance, records related to domestic violence and restraining orders might be kept private in order to protect those affected. However, divorce records are usually available to the public unless involved parties request that they be made confidential for reasons related to sensitive information. When you consult with your attorney, you can discuss inquiries and desires about confidentiality in the context of your specific case.

A San Juan Family Law Attorney You Can Trust

At The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, we know how tough it can be to go through a matter related to family law. Our experienced team is ready to provide you with compassionate support and guidance in this difficult time. We can critically examine all of the facts of your case and listen closely to your needs. No matter what questions or concerns you have, we’re here to address them and craft a plan suited to your needs. Get in touch with us today to schedule a meeting with a dedicated attorney.

“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.”

Brit B.

“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.”

Alan M. Greenberg

“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.”

Todd M.

San Juan Capistrano Family Law Attorney

San Juan Practice Areas