Family Law Attorney Near Me

Family Law Attorney Near Me

Family law includes divorce and all related issues, but it extends well beyond this issue alone. If your family is facing a civil legal issue, it is a critical concern, and having the skilled legal guidance of an experienced California family law attorney near you in your corner can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case and your family’s future.

Family Law

Family law is a broad area of the law that tackles challenging concerns such as the following:

• Divorce and the separate terms of divorce
• Post-divorce modifications of terms 
• Child support and child custody outside of divorce
• Adoption
• Paternity actions
• Domestic violence and restraining orders
• Additional family-related matters  

Divorce and the Terms of Divorce

Each divorce follows its own unique trajectory, but the terms that must be resolved are almost always the same, including (as applicable):

• The division of marital property
• Child custody and parenting time
• Child support
• Spousal support 

Each of these – other than the division of marital property – can also be addressed as post-decree modifications after the divorce if circumstances have changed substantially. Further, when the parents of a child were never married, the issues of child custody arrangements and child support can arise as a result of a breakup. 

Adoption

The adoption laws in California are exacting, and if you plan on adopting – whether as a stepparent, as a family member, or simply as a parent who is interested in growing your family through adoption – moving through the challenging adoption process with legal counsel on your side is always well advised. 

Paternity Actions

In California, paternity is referred to as parentage, and it addresses the matter of whom a child’s other parent is when the mother is not married at the time of the child’s birth. This matter can be resolved in either of the following ways:

• When both parents are in agreement, they can sign a declaration of parentage and file it with the court
• Either parent – or the court – can require that parentage be determined, which generally happens via DNA testing

The matter of determining parentage generally benefits all the parties involved.

Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders

Domestic violence refers to abuse or to threatened abuse when the abuser is in an intimate relationship with you, such as a spouse, a domestic partner, a co-parent, or anyone you’ve had a romantic relationship with – in addition to anyone you are closely related to by blood or marriage. Domestic abuse can entail any of the following:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Fear that you or someone else will be harmed
• Harassment, stalking, threats, and beyond

Often a domestic violence restraining order is the safest response in the face of domestic violence of any kind.

An Experienced California Family Law Attorney Can Help

If you are facing a family law issue, the compassionate California family law attorneys at Miranda, Magden & Miranda, LLP, in Monterey recognize the importance of resolving the matter as favorably and efficiently as possible, and we are standing by to help. To learn more about what we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.