VENTURA FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
LOYAL AND EXPERIENCED LAWYERS FOR FAMILIES IN VENTURA AND SANTA MONICA
Our experienced family law attorneys at Herrera Clifton Hess have a reputation for quality family law representation, as we have consistently obtained favorable outcomes for our clients. When it comes to divorce, child support, child custody, mediation, and other family law issues, you need a family law lawyer with your best interests at heart. Herrera Clifton Hess has a results-driven mindset that motivates us to work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family. So whether you are dealing with an uncontested or contested divorce, have children to consider, or have even completed your divorce agreement but are looking for modifications, our attorneys can help you.
Our lawyers serving Ventura County provide clients with honest communication, clear-cut solutions, and straightforward answers. You can count on our family law attorneys for personalized legal counsel and aggressive representation. We will fight for you and your best interests.
Contact Herrera Clifton Hess for a free consultation to get started on your family law case.
FILING FOR DIVORCE IN CA
To legally file for divorce in CA, you or your spouse must have resided in California for the past six months and the filing county for the past three months. CA is a no-fault divorce state, so you are not required to prove that your spouse did something to cause the divorce (you do not need to provide a “ground” for divorce).
During the divorce process, you will need to resolve a range of issues tied up in your marriage, including:
- Child custody
- Child support
- Spousal support (alimony)
- Property and asset division
You can settle the above matters in mediation, a series of meetings supervised by a trained third-party mediator who will facilitate a discussion between you and your spouse toward a mutual agreement. If you cannot reach an agreement through mediation, you will have to proceed to trial, where a judge will decide on the issues.
Suppose both you and your spouse mutually agreed to divorce and reached an agreement on all the issues involved in your divorce. In that case, you may be eligible to file for an uncontested divorce, a quicker process that avoids lengthy and contentious courtroom litigation. With an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse must work together to write up a marital settlement agreement that specifies the terms for all your marital issues (child custody, property division, etc.).
If you and your spouse are not on amicable terms about the divorce, you will have to move forward with a traditional contested divorce. Our Herrera Clifton Hess attorneys have family law experience handling uncontested and contested divorces. Our mediation skills can come in handy in both situations as we help you and your spouse reach agreeable terms for your separation.
Custody and the Child’s Best Interests
One of the most contentious issues in family law cases is child custody. Either parent can have joint (shared) or sole custody of the children, and California recognizes two forms of custody – legal custody (decision-making authority on behalf of the child) and physical custody (residency). In addition, a parent who has the children for less than half of the time may obtain parenting time or visitation.
When deciding on the custody arrangement, the court will do what meets the child’s best interests, which include factors like:
- the child’s age;
- the child’s physical, mental, and emotional health;
- the child’s ties to their school, home, and community;
- the emotional ties between each parent and the child;
- each parent’s ability to care for the child;
- any history of family violence or substance abuse;
- any other factor deemed relevant to the child.
As mentioned above, parents can draft their custody arrangement if they agree to the terms. They can also negotiate a mediation agreement. However, if they cannot reach a mutual decision on custody and parenting time, they will have to defer to the court to make the final decision.
Family law issues can be overwhelming, but our family lawyers at Herrera Clifton Hess are here to shoulder the legal burden. We will guide you smoothly through the family court system, whether you are dealing with divorce, child custody, or other family law issues. In addition, our family law lawyers serving Ventura County have experience with mediation and litigation, so we are doubly prepared to resolve your family law case whichever way it proceeds.
HOW CAN A FAMILY LAWYER IN VENTURA HELP YOU?
Having an experienced family law attorney by your side is essential for ensuring you have all of the support and guidance you need during this challenging time. Family matters can be susceptible, and having an attorney to help you through the process can be of tremendous value to you and your family.
Your family law attorney can help you in the following ways:
- Providing you with important information that will help you protect your rights and ensure that you are on the right track.
- Completing your paperwork correctly, and ensuring that all deadlines are met and potential delays are avoided.
- Your attorney will be able to gauge whether it is in your best interests to take your case to court, and if so, he or she will be there to fiercely represent you.
- Your attorney can be a great emotional support system for you during this challenging time, and someone that you can lean on and trust.
Contact our family law attorneys in Ventura, CA today to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about the many benefits that come with hiring a lawyer to help you with your family matter.
Contact our family law attorneys today for a free consultation to learn more. You do not have to go through this alone; we’re here for you and your family.