Thousand Oaks Family Lawyer

Thousand Oaks Family Law Attorney

Family law issues can feel overwhelming, involving the most deeply personal and important areas of your life. Some of the most common areas of family law include divorce, child custody, and child and spousal support (alimony). With the things that matter most to you at stake—such as your children, home, and future financial security, hiring a Thousand Oaks family lawyer can help guide you through the legal process and secure the outcome you are looking for.

At McFadden Family Law & Mediation, we approach each family law case with sensitivity, taking time to learn about your unique challenges and what you are hoping to achieve in the legal process. Whether you are looking to settle outside of court or need to advance a case to trial, from day one, our team will always be on your side, advocating for your interests. Our many years of experience will help you understand your legal rights, choose your battles wisely, and determine the best strategies and solutions for your problems.

Common Family Law Matters in Thousand Oaks, California

Because family law issues dive into very personal details involving close relationships, these cases can be some of the most emotionally charged found in court. To help stay focused on the legal matters, hiring a family law attorney can be beneficial when dealing with sensitive issues in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Some of the most common family law matters we help with include:

Mediation

Mediation can be beneficial for divorcing couples to resolve issues without having to go to court. Couples can create their own solutions with the help of a neutral third party who explains their legal rights and responsibilities. A mediator helps couples reach an agreement in all areas of their divorce and handles all of the legal paperwork for them from start to finish. Couples can feel empowered to make their own decisions together rather than giving control over to a judge.

Child Custody

When a couple decides to separate, the legal case is much more complicated if children are involved as well. During this process, either the couple or the court must come to a final agreement on both physical and legal custody. Physical custody dictates where a child will live, while legal custody is either having a shared or sole decision-making responsibility on behalf of the child.

Child Support

Disagreements over who has to pay child support and what amount are also common contentious disputes in family law. One spouse might challenge how their annual income was calculated to try and either reduce the amount they need to pay or increase how much they are owed by the other spouse. While California mandates that both parents must share financial responsibility for a child, factors like income and a child’s needs impact the total amount.

Spousal Support (Alimony)

Similar to child support, the California court may also issue spousal support payments. These are monthly payments that the higher-earning spouse will pay to the lower-earning spouse to help them cover their basic needs as they move on independently from the relationship. The length of marriage and how much money each spouse makes on their own are two of the largest contributing factors to this calculation.

Property and Marital Asset Division

All assets and debts accumulated during a married couple’s time together is usually legally considered community property that must be divided equally in a divorce. Sometimes, one spouse will challenge whether a specific asset should be considered a piece of separate property rather than community property. Disputes can also arise over how the value of assets like real estate property or retirement accounts. A family law attorney can help you negotiate the property division process.

FAQs

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in California?

The total cost of hiring a family lawyer in California varies greatly depending on how complicated a particular case is. Other factors affecting cost include how many years of experience the attorney has, how cooperative or contentious the parties behave during the process, and how time-consuming it can be to go to court or engage in prolonged negotiations. It is important to consider what upfront investments could be financially advantageous to secure positive outcomes for your family.

What Does a Family Lawyer Do in California?

Family lawyers in California take on all of the legal issues that relate to family disputes. Their day-to-day activities are diverse. One day, they might be helping a client draft a custody agreement, while another day, they may be guiding someone through a mediation session. All of this is to help minimize the amount of disruption these legal battles can create in people’s lives while also making sure their rights are not violated in the process.

How Can Mediation Help When Going Through a Divorce?

Mediation can help in many ways when going through the divorce process. A third party can help explore all the issues in a divorce without having to go to court. It generally will be less expensive and less time-consuming than a divorce that is resolved in a courtroom. Mediation gives you and your spouse more control over the outcome of your case. It is a more cooperative process than going to court and can better prepare you to co-parent together effectively if you share children.

What Is California Family Law Jurisdiction?

California family law jurisdiction is the legal authority that the courts in California have to hear and decide on family law cases. This jurisdiction is applicable to those who officially reside in the state, which means that at least one party in a legal dispute needs to be from California in order for the court to have authority over the matter. Be sure to ask about this during an initial consultation to ensure your case is filed in the appropriate California county.

Contact McFadden Family Law & Mediation Today

If you are facing the prospect of a family law dispute and are looking to hire a skilled attorney to help guide you through the process, please call McFadden Family Law & Mediation. We have a deep passion for helping people get through the most challenging personal legal issues with compassion, sensitivity, and expertise. Contact us today for more information.