If you are navigating a divorce, child custody dispute, or another legal issue involving your family, a California family lawyer can help. Family law cases often involve high emotions, deeply personal issues, and long-term consequences. A skilled family law attorney can offer steady guidance to support you as you navigate these issues.
At Ramirez Law, we provide straightforward, compassionate support to individuals facing family law issues. Whether you are dealing with divorce, child support, custody, or another matter, we take the time to understand your unique situation and goals. Our firm is built on strong client service and collaborative problem-solving. Contact us today to learn more.
What Is Family Law?
Family law governs personal relationships and family-related matters. It covers legal issues involving spouses, domestic partners, children, and other family members. In California, family courts handle a wide range of cases, including:
- Divorce and legal separation,
- Child custody and visitation,
- Child support,
- Property and debt division,
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Modification and enforcement of existing orders, and
- Domestic violence and restraining orders.
An experienced California family lawyer can guide clients through the complexities of these cases.
Divorce and Legal Separation
Ending a marriage or domestic partnership is one of the most common reasons people seek out a family law attorney. California is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not need to prove that your spouse did anything wrong to get divorced. Yet, divorce often involves many complicated issues.
Working with a California divorce attorney is especially important if your case involves:
- High-value assets,
- Disagreements over child custody or spousal support, or
- Concerns about hidden income or property transfers.
Divorce can be contested or uncontested, a crucial difference. Uncontested divorces involve spouses who agree on how to resolve all issues related to children, spousal support, and property and debt division. Contested divorces involve spouses who disagree about at least one issue, typically taking longer and costing more than uncontested divorces.
Child Custody and Visitation
When deciding on custody arrangements, courts will focus on the best interests of the child. By law, that means judges consider factors like:
- The child’s health, safety, and general welfare;
- Any history of abuse by either parent against the child, siblings, the other parent, or others;
- Historical parent-child relationships, including which parent has been the primary caregiver;
- Stability, such as maintaining consistency in school, home, and community;
- Parental ability to co-parent, including willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent;
- Each parent’s mental and physical health, and any history of substance abuse;
- The child’s preference, if mature enough to express an informed opinion;
- False accusations of abuse;
- Siblings and the value of keeping siblings together; and
- The logistical ability of each parent to care for the child, such as work schedules or transportation.
Courts generally prefer maintaining the child’s contact with both parents, unless that contact is harmful. As a result, most parents share custody of their children.
Child Support
Parents must financially support their children while they are minors. When parents do not live and coparent together, one parent typically meets this obligation by paying child support. California uses statewide guidelines to calculate child support, so there is not much wiggle room in the amount a parent pays.
Yet, disputes arise when circumstances change or the parent fails to pay. A family law attorney can help enforce and modify existing support orders.
Property and Debt Division
California is a community property state with relatively strict equal property division laws. Spouses split most community property and debt equally in a divorce. Community property includes property and debt that either spouse obtains during the marriage. It excludes separate property, which is property obtained:
- Before marriage,
- After separation,
- Through gifts, and
- Through inheritance.
If you and your spouse do not want to divide property equally, you can negotiate a different property division and propose it to the court. Unless the court finds the division seriously unfair, it will usually enforce it.
Spousal Support
Spousal support, historically called alimony, involves payments from one spouse to the other during or after divorce. If a spouse requests spousal support, the court considers several factors in whether to order it, including:
- The length of the marriage;
- The standard of living during the marriage;
- Each spouse’s income, earning capacity, separate property and debts, employable skills, and the time and cost needed to develop those skills if the spouse lacks them;
- Contributions to the marriage and household, including a spouse staying home to raise children or sacrificing career opportunities;
- Contributions from one spouse to the other’s education, training, or career;
- Each spouse’s age and health;
- Any domestic violence history; and
- Tax consequences.
You can also negotiate for spousal support, regardless of what the law says.
Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
If your partner, family member, or another member of your household is threatening or abusing you, a family law attorney can help you seek protection. We can guide you through requesting a restraining order and related issues, like child custody exchanges.
How Do Family Law Attorneys Help Clients?
Family law attorneys provide legal guidance and advocacy related to family relationships. The role of a family lawyer includes:
- Explaining your rights and options;
- Preparing and filing documents with the court;
- Representing you in negotiations, mediation, or hearings;
- Helping you understand court procedures and meet deadlines; and
- Working to achieve fair settlements or favorable court outcomes.
Family lawyers also offer practical guidance and reassurance throughout the legal process. While they do not provide counseling or therapy, they help reduce stress by answering legal questions, managing paperwork, and keeping your case on track.
How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in California?
When searching for a family lawyer, many want to know how much it will cost to hire one. The answer depends on several factors, including:
- The complexity of your case,
- Whether the case is contested or uncontested,
- The attorney’s experience and billing structure, and
- The length of the case.
At Ramirez Law, we believe in clear communication about costs. We explain our fee structure up front and strive to make our services affordable by working efficiently, using a collaborative approach, and helping clients make informed choices.
We Are Here to Help
Ramirez Law is here to guide you through whatever family law issues you are facing. Our approach is collaborative, flexible, and always focused on your best interests. If you are searching for a California family lawyer who will take the time to understand your goals and stand by your side, contact Ramirez Law today.
Resources:
- Cal. Fam. Code § 2310 (2024), link.