Mission Viejo Family Law Attorney
With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team is highly qualified to provide legal services for your most difficult family circumstances.
Mission Viejo Family Law Lawyer
Family Law/ Divorce
Family law encompasses a wide range of legal issues. From child custody cases to property division in a divorce, many people’s first time in the legal world is a result of family law matters. Because family law issues are often unpredictable, a lot of people find themselves thrown in quickly without much knowledge of the legal proceedings that they may involve. When it comes to family law matters, it’s crucial to have an attorney you can trust to help you through the legal processes that often get complicated. An experienced attorney can help you get the best results possible in your case.
What Is a Family Law Attorney?
What Legal Issues Does Family Law Encompass?
- Divorce
Divorce is a process that can get complicated quickly, especially if things didn’t end on the best terms between you and your partner. An attorney can assist you through the legality of it all, from figuring out an equal property division settlement to ensuring your children’s best interests are the priority. Your family law attorney can represent you throughout litigation and fight for what you’re entitled to. - Child Custody
Child custody is another area of family law that can get complex. From parents fighting over sole custody to children who can’t properly express their needs, having an attorney is essential to help you and your child through a custody case. California law states that it’s the court’s job to keep the best interests of children involved in a divorce in mind at all times.
An attorney can help to bring the best interests of the child to the forefront of the case, and they’ll also work to make sure the child is safe and gets the best possible outcome. A family law attorney considers things like who the child has a stronger bond with and what developmental stages they might be in. - Spousal Support (Alimony)
In California, spousal support cases are quite common. A family law attorney can help in collecting all the necessary information needed from both spouses to ensure that a fair spousal support agreement can be made. In California, alimony payments are based on aspects such as the length of the marriage, who brought in the main income, and how much income was being made between the two spouses. Payments can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on what the court sees fit. - Child Support
Both parents are legally responsible for helping meet their children’s needs, whether they have primary custody or not. When one parent doesn’t have primary custody, they most likely will be assigned child support payments that are made to assist the other parent and help their child. A family law attorney can help you come to an agreement on child support payments as well as help enforce child support payments when they are not being made. Because child support is a legally binding agreement, an ex-partner can be taken to court if they refuse to pay. - Paternity
Proving paternity can help mothers, fathers, and children. If you’re a mother looking to prove paternity, this can help ensure you receive child support once it has legally been proven. If you’re a father, proving paternity can help you get custody of your child. Regardless of why you need to prove paternity, get assistance from an experienced attorney like DeArmey Law. - Pre-nuptial Agreements
Because California implements community property laws, pre and post-nuptial agreements are common reasons couples seek family law attorneys. Community property laws state that everything acquired during a marriage has to be split equally if the marriage is to end. But, if you have a pre-nuptial agreement that was done with an attorney, this can help you to keep property that may have been yours in the first place by claiming it in your prenup. - Adoption
Having an attorney to help you navigate the process of adoption is essential. There are a variety of complex aspects that go into adopting a child, and an attorney can help lay them out for you. Adoption laws also vary by state, meaning that if you’re doing anything that may cross state boundaries, laws can change. An experienced attorney can help you through the legal processes of the adoption until your child is home safe and sound.
Why You Should Hire a Family Law Attorney
While you might think you can handle your case on your own, having a family law attorney by your side is a valuable asset to help you get the results you deserve.
- Knowledge of Family Law
Family law can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been involved in legal proceedings before. One of the biggest reasons you should hire a family law attorney is because they have extensive knowledge of the law, specifically family law. From loopholes to legislation, they’ll be able to assist you in fighting for the best outcomes possible because they know the ins and outs of how the law works. - Experience in Legal Proceedings
Of course, having experience is a crucial trait of any good attorney. Hiring a family law attorney can make legal proceedings much more efficient, as their knowledge of the process can speed things up. In addition, an attorney can give you advice on different situations and what your best next steps may be. - Will Fight for Your Best Interests
Your attorney works for you. This means your best interests are their goal. Having an experienced family law attorney to help you through the legal proceedings and represent you during litigation makes a massive difference when it comes to family law issues. It’s also important to feel like you have someone on your side during complicated processes like these. - Neutral / Impartial Party
While your lawyer is fighting for what’s best for you, they are also impartial to the situation. This allows them to focus on other issues you may potentially miss, such as falsified information or financial issues, due to high stakes or emotions possibly getting in the way. Because they are impartial, this also allows you to, for example, talk about your now-ending marriage with them and the issues that may have occurred. They are not there to judge you or your ex-spouse but rather assist you in the legal aspects of it all. - Make the Process Easier for You
Having an attorney to assist you through the legal proceedings of a family law case can make your life immensely easier. With everything you’re already dealing with, the small details of the legal process can be complicated and overwhelming. Let an experienced family attorney make the process easier for you.
FAQs
Q: What are the main requirements of a family lawyer?
A: To become a family law attorney in California, one must complete the proper amount of schooling. They must also be certified by the state and have ample experience in a court of law. The attorney must be specialized in family law matters.
Q: How much does a family law attorney cost in California?
A: The price of a family law attorney varies depending on the firm you go to, the situation you need assistance with, and how long you need legal assistance. To learn more about a potential price estimate, contact our team.
Q: When should I get a family law attorney?
A: While it may vary from case to case when you should get an attorney, it’s always best to have one whenever you are dealing with any sort of legal proceedings. Whether your partner is the one who filed for divorce or you’re looking for help in child custody, an attorney is the first place you should go.
Experienced Family Law Attorneys in Mission Viejo, California
No matter what the issue is, having an experienced Mission Viejo family law attorney to help you through family law matters is essential. At DeArmey Law, we know just how complicated family law cases can get, but we have the experience and skill to get you the most favorable result possible. Whether you’re going through a difficult divorce or you’re not receiving child support payments, our team is here to help. For legal representation in family law matters or to learn more about our services, contact us today.
Mission Viejo Practice Areas
Practice Areas
Divorce
Divorce can be an extremely painful process for everyone in the family. We understand the difficulties of dealing with complex questions and heightened emotions surrounding divorce, and we will work with you to help you through this transition time in a manner that’s as fair as possible but that still protects your interests.
Child Custody/Visitations
Children often suffer the brunt in contentious custody disputes. We put your children first, working with you to ensure their best interests at all times. Helping our clients with child focused solutions is often the best way to bring a matter to resolution quickly.
Child Support
The law is very clear that supporting your children is the financial priority in divorce cases. We’ll fight to make sure your children are provided for, and we’ll also work to ensure both parents are paying their fair share.
Parentage/Paternity
Uncertainties about parentage can cause a slew of problems. We can help establish the confidential parentage of your child, both to ensure your rights as a parent as well as enforcing the legal responsibilities of the other parent.
Spousal Support
If you were supported financially in a marriage and are unable to support yourself outside it, we will fight to ensure you receive the full measure of spousal support to which you are entitled to under the law. Family Code §4320 outlines several factors that Courts take into consideration in making permanent support orders. We educate our clients as to their rights and responsibilities regarding Spousal Support in order to help them achieve financial stability.
Property Divisions
Since California is a community property state, property divisions in a divorce can be quite contentious and tricky. We can help you with the characterization and evaluation of property to determine what classifies as community property, and we can help you negotiate a solution that works for you.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a prosecutable crime, but it can also weigh heavily in divorce cases, especially when it comes to custody and visitation. We’ll fight to make sure you and your children are protected and safe. We also defend those who have been wrongfully accused by a parent trying to use the DVPA as a sword instead of a shield as it was intended.
Business Valuations
Dividing business ownership during a divorce can be complex and contentious. We’ll help you look at all factors to determine exactly what your business is worth.
Pre-Marital Agreements
Setting up a pre-marital agreement before marrying can save a lot of heartache and contention in the unhappy event of divorce. We'll help you hammer out an agreement that is fair to both of you. These agreements can be complex and the law is ever changing. We will take the procedural steps necessary to provide the stability the parties are seeking from their Pre-Marital Agreement. At DeArmey Law, we’re committed to helping our clients see the “bigger picture” in matters of family law, and we seek to help them find solutions that work for their lives long-term. To learn more about how we can help, call our offices today for a free initial consultation.
Trusted by the Southern California Community for More Than 40 Years
With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our team is highly qualified to provide legal services for your most difficult family circumstances.
