Divorce - In order to file for divorce in Los Angeles and Ventura County, you must meet residency requirements. First you must have been a resident of California for at least six (6) months and you must be a resident of the county you are filing your divorce papers in for at least three (3) months.
Paternity - Establishing paternity in California involves determining who is the father of the child. The California courts always recognize the mother of the child as a parent, but when the mother and father aren’t married when the child was born, the law only recognizes the father if paternity is legally established. California paternity will give your child the same rights and benefits as children born to married parents, including the father’s name on the birth certificate, life and medical insurance from either parent when they have insurance, as well as financial support from each parent.
Adoption - There are several specific laws that must be adhered to with California adoptions. For more information on California adoption, please call the law office for a free consultation.
Child Custody and Visitation - Legal custody of a child determines who has the right and obligation to make decisions about the child. This is usually one of the most important aspects of a divorce and in the State of California either parent may be entitled to sole custody of the child (children) or both parents may share joint custody. Custody and visitation will be determined by the primary and secondary residence of the child, whether or not there is rotating custody, visitation schedules and the method that is used by the parents in making decisions for the child. The judge is going to have to approve of any arrangement made in a divorce settlement and it is best to have legal representation through the entire process. Depending upon your position in the divorce, it is important to make sure that your legal rights are protected when the court makes it Child Visitation Orders – whether or not you believe you are in a good or bad financial position, life style issues or sexual orientation.
Child Support - In the State of California a spouse or domestic partner has the right to ask the court to enforce the child support order if one is not receiving their monthly payments. Spousal support cases are usually handled in a California Superior Court, which means a person is able to file the motion in front of judge in their local county, no matter where the ex-spouse lives in California. Also, if circumstances change and one wants or needs to go in front of a judge again, Superior Court is located in your county.
Juvenile Dependency - This type of case usually involves California children who have been abandoned, neglected and/or hurt by their parents, foster parents or someone else responsible as their caregiver. California juvenile dependency cases are brought to the attention of the courts in Los Angeles and Ventura County where the parents or caretakers are unable to meet a child’s special needs. A juvenile dependency case begins when someone files a report with the police or social services agency claiming that a child is being neglected, abused or abandoned. If the agency finds that the child is in danger, they may physically remove the child from their home and place the child in the care of a relative or foster parent until the issue can be dealt with in juvenile court.
Community Property - All property acquired by a couple during their marriage is considered to be community property and unless there is a prenuptial agreement in place, it must be equally divided according to its net value when the marriage is dissolved. The State of California defines community property as any income that is earned or assets acquired by either spouse during the marriage. Gifts and inheritance during the marriage is considered separate property, independent of the community property. Any debts accumulated during the marriage belong to the community property.
Grandparent’s Rights - Grandparents have the right to file for visitation in order to see their grandchild. They can do this where the parents are not the custodial parent, the parent’s are dead or their grandchild has been adopted by a stepparent. However, it is only possible if a relationship already exists between the child and grandparent. Their visitation will not interfere with parental visitations and the court will always make a judgment that the visits are in the best interest of the child.
