Legal issues pertaining to the family can be highly emotional and bitterly contentious. It is important to know your rights, the rights of any children you may have, and how the process will unfold. The law firm of Bohm Wildish specializes in all aspects of California family law, including the following:
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships
• Paternity, Paternal Rights and Liabilities, Paternity Fraud and Testing
• Fertility and Surrogacy
• Adoption, Guardianship, Foster Care, Child Emancipation
• Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Child Abuse, Child Abduction
• Separation, Divorce and Annulment
• Child Custody, Child Visitation and Child Support
• Spousal Support, Property Settlement
Let’s look at a few of these categories here.
The Prenuptial Agreement
The premarital agreement, or “prenup,” is a very powerful tool that is gaining popularity. With it the parties can override California’s community property presumption and keep property separate. In other words, a prenuptial agreement will guarantee that the things that are the most important to you will remain in your possession in the event of divorce.
Same-Sex Relationships and Domestic Partnerships
In the state of California there are some unique familial situations. As such, there is a unique set of laws utilized when dissolving them. For instance, California family law created a set of procedures to handle situations that arise in registered domestic partnerships and co-habitations. In some cases, the courts don’t even need to be involved.
Restraining Orders and Domestic Violence
It is incredibly important that you keep yourself and your family free from harm. If you feel like you’re in danger or need assistance due to threats or are a victim of domestic violence, the state of California has different types of restraining orders to ensure that you are completely protected.
Military Divorce
Some of the requirements for filing for a Military divorce differ from those of standard family law cases. For instance, the law is completely different when it comes to residence requirements.
Separation & Divorce
To be granted divorce in California you must fulfill certain “residency requirements.” You or your spouse must have resided in the state for a minimum of the previous six months. What’s more, you or your spouse is required to have lived in the country in which you are filing, for at least the previous three months.
If you are not ready for divorce, or have not lived in California long enough to be granted one, you can file for legal separation. The process is the same, but with separation you may not get remarried as the marriage is still valid. Whether filing for divorce or legal separation, you may ask the judge to make an order relating to the following:
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Child Support
• Alimony or Spousal Support
• Equitable Distribution of Familial Debt and Equity
We a unique approach to family law that seeks to resolve disagreements through negotiation and settlement. Rather than beginning from a position of contention, we look first to negotiate to increase changes of a quick and less painful resolution. History has shown that those who are able to adopt a strategy of negotiation and settlement from the outset have a significant opportunity to lower the overall costs of divorce by keeping attorney’s fees to a minimum.
Negotiation and settlement capitalizes on win-win opportunities, which saves you time, money and stress. Our attorneys have the knowledge and expertise to:
• Resolve custody and visitation issues with skill and sensitivity
• Negotiate and draft premarital, postnuptial, and settlement agreements
• Skillfully litigate complex issues at trial
• Analyze complicated financial situations, particularly complex tax and business valuation issues