Over the years I’ve found that many clients in wealthy areas need affordable legal representation. My clients can’t afford a $400 divorce attorney, but they may need help with dissolution of marriage, custody and child support. For these middle class clients, and even some clients with considerable home equity, I provide representation for only $250 per hour. Moreover, I’m one of the few family law attorneys who accepts payment by credit card without additional cost to the client.
Affordable Fees & Full Service
I believe in charging an hourly rate that allows continuous representation throughout my client’s case. Whereas many high-priced attorneys only get their clients halfway through the case before withdrawing for non-payment of attorney fees, my hourly rate allows many clients to afford legal representation from the first filing to final court appearance.
Free Consultation
To learn more about your legal options and my services call (916) 250-1610 Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM.
Divorce
Filing for divorce can be a difficult decision, but there are some reasons why filing before your spouse can be in your best interest. In general, filing first gives you time to prepare both financially and emotionally. After you pay your divorce attorney with joint funds you will have “prepaid” for the subsequent stages of divorce. On the other hand, your spouse will be under time and financial pressure to find the right attorney and budget for the subsequent stages. Accordingly, some clients find it beneficial to prepare for divorce with an attorney rather than wait for their spouse to file.
Child Support
Child support is a frequently contested issue in divorce proceedings. For many the financial ramifications of child support will last for years if not decades – and in some cases amount to several hundred thousand dollars. Accordingly, some clients find it advantageous to exert their legal arguments in an effort to enhance or decrease child support from California’s guideline amount.
Child Custody
The legal standard for child custody determinations is deceptively simple. In essence, the court will look from the child’s standpoint for the custody arrangement that will be in the child’s best interest. In that effort the court will evaluate the child’s best interest according to the following factors:
- Child’s health, safety and welfare
- Nature and amount of contact with both parents
- History of drug or alcohol abuse
- History of domestic violence
- Emotional bonds between parents and child
- Continuity of care, attention and nurturing
Skilled attorneys know that the multi-factored inquiry lends itself to argument and persuasion. Child custody attorneys can emphasize favorable factors while discounting unfavorable ones as circumstances require. Accordingly, contested custody cases are not “check the box” proceedings, and favorable outcomes can depend heavily upon the effectiveness of legal counsel.