Family Law Attorneys Monterey County

Family Law Attorneys Monterey County

Family law is a primary branch of the law that helps families address civil legal matters such as divorce, post-divorce modifications, the complicated terms of divorce, child custody arrangements outside of marriage and divorce, and well beyond. If you are facing a family law concern, experienced family law attorneys in Monterey County are on your side and standing by to help.

Common Family Law Matters

While every family law case involves its own unique circumstances and follows its own unique course, they all fall into basic categories that include the following:

• Cases that involve divorce, the terms of divorce, and term modifications
• Child custody outside of marriage
• Legal separations
• Domestic partnerships
• Adoption and guardianship
• Paternity
• Domestic violence and restraining orders

Divorce Terms

Regardless of how complex the terms of your divorce are or how contentious your divorce becomes, the basic terms that every divorcing couple must resolve include all the following (as applicable):

• The division of your marital property, which in California is deemed community property that must be divided between you equally
• Child custody and parenting time, which determines how you and your children’s other parent will address the matter of making primary parenting decisions as you move forward and the matter of dividing your time with your shared children
• Child support, which is determined in accordance with the state calculation process that is designed to fairly balance ongoing financial support between both of you
• Alimony, which is also called spousal support and is only implemented in those divorces that leave one spouse unable to continue supporting themself while the other has the financial ability to help

Modifications of all but the division of marital property are common, and child custody and child support cases often arise between parents who were never married. Legal separations involve resolving all the same applicable divorce terms without finalizing the divorce. Further, domestic partnerships refer to committed relationships of mutual caring between adults that offer some of the same legal benefits that married couples enjoy for those who may not be prepared to marry. 

Adoption and Legal Guardianship 

Adoption refers to the legal action of becoming the legal parent of a child who is not yours biologically – affording you all the permanent rights and responsibilities of parenthood. While those with legal guardianship accept many of the same parental responsibilities, they are not afforded the same rights, and guardianship can be revoked.

Paternity

Paternity determines who a child’s father is when the parents are not married at the time of their birth. Options include both parents resolving the matter via a mutually agreed upon declaration of parentage that is filed with the court and court-ordered DNA testing. 

Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders

Family law also addresses the important matter of domestic violence and attendant restraining orders that are predicated on physical and emotional abuse or the threat of the same, including causing the victim to fear for their own safety or to fear being deprived of the necessities of life. 

Discuss Your Concerns with an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Monterey County Today

The formidable family law attorneys at Miranda, Magden & Miranda, LLP, in Monterey County are fully committed to skillfully advocating for an advantageous case outcome that honors your rights and works for you. We are here to help, so please do not delay reaching out and contacting us for more information today.