Family Law

California Family Law Attorney

Family ties are considered the most private and enduring relationships in society. As most can attest, however, these relationships are rarely conflict-free. When domestic issues cannot be solved within the home, family law seeks to restore order and provide a fair solution for all parties involved.

For many, family law is thought to be synonymous with divorce proceedings. In reality, divorce is just a small part of family law which covers a broad array of domestic issues, including adoption, premarital agreements, paternity, and child support issues.

When legal action is necessary to resolve familial matters, you must entrust your most private matters with a compassionate and knowledgeable family law attorney.

Family law raises emotional and legal challenges for all parties involved. In such cases, you must surround yourself with trusted advisors and friends. Compass Legal Group, APC provides the legal and emotional support needed to get you back on your feet. We look forward to hearing your story and finding ways to help you through a transformational time.

Child Custody

The dissolution of any marriage or partnership raises a plethora of issues. The case becomes even more complex when children are involved as custody and child support issues emerge. The court acts in the children's best interests, as should the parents.

Allow our team to help determine the best custody arrangement for you and your children. We will review the custody evaluator's recommendations, identify the children's preferences and explain how local and state laws impact your specific case and family situation. Considering these factors, we will work with you to devise an acceptable custody plan for your children.

Child custody is dual-faceted in that it encompasses both the physical and legal custody of the child. Physical custody is where the child resides, while legal custody entails the decision-making process for the parents, including the right to decide education preferences, religious practices, medical treatments, and activity involvement. Both of these aspects must be considered during child custody proceedings.

We will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome preserving your parental rights and protecting the children's best interests.

Divorce

Divorce proceedings usually involve intense emotions and (can be) significantly expensive. Let us work with you throughout your divorce to minimize the emotional strain and cost normally associated with these proceedings. We handle complex contested and uncontested divorces.

During the divorce proceedings, we will assess all the assets and debt involved and strive to attain the largest possible distribution of marital assets for our clients. We will work closely with you to guarantee proper financial support through alimony when appropriate. If children are involved, we will work with you to obtain custody of your children and child support payments or help develop a parenting plan, if preferred.

If you and your spouse choose to keep your divorce proceedings private and away from the courts, my law firm will work with you through voluntary mediation, known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). During this process, you and your spouse will meet with a neutral mediator to help resolve issues by bringing both parties to an agreement on a fair solution. With ADR, there is complete disclosure and no litigation. Many individuals prefer this method as it tends to be faster, less costly, and produces a more amicable outcome.

Paternity

Paternity lawsuits may be necessary to determine parental rights, custody, or support matters when the biological father's identity is questioned. In these instances, the court will order a genetic test. The test results are then used to establish a legal relationship between the parent and child and determine the extent to which the father must support the child. Even if the biological father does not wish to play an active role in the child's upbringing, he still must provide financial support to the minor.

The mother may bring these suits, the presumed father (in many instances, the mother's husband), the man alleged to be the father, a government agency, or the child (if he or she is underage, a representative must act on his or her behalf). Compass Legal Group, APC lawyers are available to offer you legal guidance, assist in filing a paternity suit with the appropriate court or defend you against paternity action.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is unfortunately prevalent in many relationships and may include harassment, assault, sexual abuse, or neglect. If their spouse or another relative has physically or emotionally abused them or someone they love, they should contact the police and an experienced lawyer who can inform them of their rights.

In the case of marital abuse, if you wish to pursue a legal separation or divorce in light of the events, my legal team can advise you on the best steps to keep you safe and dissolve the marriage as fast as possible while keeping your best interests, and assets, in mind.

We understand the sensitive nature of domestic violence and will strive to provide you peace of mind throughout the proceedings. Should you require additional support beyond the legal realm, we can refer you to other professionals and resources to address your needs and begin the healing process.

Same-Sex Divorce

Since same-sex marriage is the law of the land, dissolving these relationships presents unique challenges, including the full length of the relationship before a formal marriage.

A same-sex divorce can involve more legal disputes than an opposite-sex couple simply because of the relatively new legal complications. These include when the partnership or marriage began and the rules for pre-marital assets and debts. Courts also struggle to settle child custody disputes where one parent is biological and the other is adaptive.