Family law encompasses a broad range of issues, from pre-marital agreements to restraining orders. At Seeley Family Law in San Mateo, CA, we know that whatever situation you and your family find yourselves in, a skilled and dedicated family lawyer can help make all the difference.
9 Situations To Hire a Family Lawyer in San Mateo, CA
Family law is one of the areas of legal practice in which the stress on clients is the most severe. Whether you are looking for a simple division of assets or are heading into a high-conflict custody case, we can help you. Our aim as a firm is not only to resolve your case successfully, but also to help you transition to a better time in your life.
Before Marrying
Prenuptial agreements are only gaining in popularity, in California as in the rest of the United States. Though couples are still hoping that their union will stand the test of time, they also want to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. The popularity of prenups, however, doesn’t mean that they are an easy legal document to draft; there are many conditions that must be met for them to be considered valid and enforceable. A family lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected and that your best interests are not sidelined during this process.
When Married or Cohabiting
You may not have made a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it after. We can help you and your spouse to create a “postnup;” an agreement you make after getting married. Because the law sees married couples as having a legal responsibility to share assets and care for each other, this area of the law requires an attorney with a solid understanding of California’s legal code to ensure that any agreement is enforceable.
Perhaps you and your partner are not currently planning to get married but do want to officially establish your relationship as having rights and responsibilities. If so, you can consult us about a cohabitation agreement. This can help to ensure that your shared contributions to the relationship (such as mortgage payments or improvement work done on any property) are legally recognized and can help to make a separation less logistically painful should you break up in the future.
Getting Divorced
In California, you don’t have to prove fault to get a divorce, which makes filing for divorce easier. However, there are still a number of things that will need to be decided before your divorce can be finalized. Whether the divorce is amicable or hostile, our family lawyers can help you through the process of filing, financial disclosure, and the division of assets and debts. If you cannot come to an agreement, we can prepare you for and represent you in a court hearing.
Arranging Child Custody and Parenting Time
When getting divorced or legally separated, you also need to agree on how you will care for any children you and your partner have, where they will live, and when they will see each parent. This involves putting together a parenting plan. Until you have a court order and unless you or your child have been abused by their other parent, both parents have equal rights over a child; neither parent has an inherent right to be the sole decision maker. We can help with suggested parenting plans and mediate discussions between you and your spouse to help you come to an agreement.
Deciding on or Changing Child Support
In California parents must share the financial responsibility for raising their children. Sometimes parents are able to agree on this without having to go to court, but even if your relationship with your ex is friendly, it is still a good idea to have a lawyer looking out for your best interests. If you need to change the amount of child support you are paying or that you need to receive because of a job loss, a change in your child’s health, or because you are spending more time with your children than before, we can help you to prepare for a hearing.
Determining Child Parentage
In California, you are a child’s legal parent if you gave birth to them (but are not a surrogate), if you are married to or a registered domestic partner with their birth parent, if you signed a Declaration that you are their legal parent, or if a judge has determined that you are a legal parent in a court case. If you want to establish parentage of a child so that you can have a place and a say in their future, or if you don’t think that you should be the legal parent of a child, then we can help. These cases can be complicated, and you will need an experienced lawyer to fight for you.
Escaping Domestic Violence
If you or your children have experienced abuse, threats, or violence from someone you’ve dated, or a partner, spouse, or family member, then we can help you file for a domestic violence restraining order. This is different from a criminal protective order. It can be granted by a judge to protect you, your children, your property, or your pets, and can also give orders about child custody if this is relevant. Once the order is granted, the police can be called to enforce its conditions. This can be a scary time, but we will be there to support you and make your case before a judge.
Adopting a Child or Children
Adopting a child is a wonderful thing, but it can be accompanied by a significant amount of paperwork. Whether you are adopting from abroad, from the care system, or becoming an adoptive parent to a partner’s child, we can guide you through all the legal requirements. One of our family lawyers can ensure all your forms are completed accurately and in compliance with California state law, giving you more time and energy to focus on your child.
Seeking Guardianship
A legal guardian is someone who, despite not being the child’s legal parent, is responsible for their care. This is usually granted because the child’s own parent or parents are unable to care for them. Guardianships end when the child is 18 or if the parents become fit to take charge of the child again and can show to a judge that it would be in the child’s best interests to be returned to them. If you want to be a guardian of a child, want to continue a guardianship, or want to adopt a child for whom you are currently the guardian, you need a family lawyer.
We understand that emotions can run high when your family life is involved. That’s why it always pays to seek guidance and help from someone who, while experienced and compassionate, is not personally involved. We are devoted to our clients’ well-being and to supporting them throughout the process, ensuring that they do not have to stress about the legal side of things. Whatever area of family law your issue or case might relate to, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Seeley Family Law in San Mateo, CA.