Experienced Family Law Attorneys
Handling the intricacies of family law can be overwhelming, but finding the right legal support shouldn’t be. At Seeley Family Law Practice, we understand the emotional and financial stress that families go through during these difficult times. We’re here to provide compassionate guidance to help you through life’s most challenging transitions.
Family law encompasses legal issues related to familial relationships, such as divorce, child custody, and spousal support. Our seasoned family law attorneys in San Francisco are dedicated to offering trusted counsel and personalized solutions tailored to your unique situation.
If you need professional legal assistance with family law matters, don’t wait. Contact Seeley Family Law Practice today for an initial consultation. Our dedicated team is here to support you and your family with compassion and skill.
Call us at 650-347-9111 to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward resolving your family law issues
Comprehensive Family Law Services in San Francisco
Family law practices in the Bay Area offer a wide range of services, addressing the unique needs of our clients. These services are tailored to address the challenges of local legal systems, ensuring that each client receives personalized and effective representation.
Seeley Family Law Practice stands out due to our commitment to treating clients with the same care as family, ensuring they feel supported and understood throughout the legal process. Our team understands the stress that accompanies family law matters and strives to offer compassionate and practical solutions for any family law issue, addressing all family law needs.
Our familiarity with the local courts and legal nuances in these areas ensures that our clients receive informed and effective representation.
We strive to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes in their family law cases through knowledgeable counsel and vigorous advocacy.
Experienced Family Law Attorney H. Yvonne Seeley
At the helm of Seeley Family Law is H. Yvonne Seeley, an accomplished family law attorney with over 35 years of practice in California. Her extensive experience and deep understanding of family law make her a formidable advocate for her clients. As one of the few attorneys recognized as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California, Yvonne brings a level of experience and credibility that sets her apart in the field.
Yvonne’s certification highlights her commitment to professional excellence. This certification attests to her rigorous training, peer recognition, and proven success in handling complex family law cases. Clients receive knowledgeable and strategic representation tailored to their unique situations.
As the primary attorney at Seeley Family Law, Yvonne Seeley takes a hands-on approach to each case, allowing every client to benefit from her knowledge and personalized attention. Her dedication to her clients and her ability to navigate the intricacies of family law have earned her numerous accolades and the respect of her peers.
Divorce
Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. California is a no-fault divorce state, which means that the spouse filing for divorce does not need to prove wrongdoing by the other spouse. It starts when one spouse files a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the court, usually citing “irreconcilable differences” or “incurable insanity” as reasons. The petitioner served the divorce papers to the other spouse and called the respondent, who has 30 days to respond.
Both spouses then share information about their assets, debts, and income. They try to agree on important issues like dividing property, child custody, and spousal support. If they can’t agree, a judge will decide these issues in court.
In California, the division of assets during a divorce is primarily governed by community property laws, which generally dictate that assets acquired during the marriage are considered community property and should be divided equally between the spouses. However, there are exceptions to this rule, and a 50/50 split may not always occur.
Child custody and support decisions are based on what is best for the child, considering factors like the parents’ ability to care for the child and the child’s living situation. Spousal support, or alimony, may be given based on the income and needs of both spouses and the length of the marriage.
Divorce can be complicated and stressful. Our San Francisco divorce law attorneys at Seeley Family Law Practice offer clear and supportive guidance to help you reach a fair outcome. We assist you through every step, ensuring your rights are protected. Once everything is settled, the court issues a final judgment that ends the marriage and details the terms of the divorce.
Child Custody and Support
In California, child custody determinations focus primarily on the best interest of the child, prioritizing their emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
Factors considered by courts include parental fitness, the stability of the child’s living situation, and the child’s primary caretaker. A well-prepared parenting plan can significantly influence custody decisions by demonstrating a parent’s commitment to their child’s welfare.
Keeping a detailed journal of parenting duties can establish a parent’s role as the primary caretaker during custody proceedings. Reliable childcare arrangements and testimonials from friends, relatives, or teachers can further strengthen a parent’s case for custody. Courts favor cooperative parents who facilitate the involvement of the other parent in the child’s life.
Our firm offers mediation services to help clients resolve disputes amicably, extending our legal support to parentage disputes and parenting coordination. This approach ensures our clients receive the necessary guidance and representation in all aspects of child custody and support.
Property Division and Spousal Support
In California, property division during a divorce involves distinguishing between community property and separate property. Community property includes assets acquired during the marriage, while separate property refers to assets owned by one spouse before the marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. The process of property division requires a formal order from a judge, even if the spouses have reached an informal agreement.
Typically, a judge orders an equal division of community property unless the spouses agree on a different arrangement.
Postnuptial agreements can clarify property division and include terms about spousal support and debt allocation. However, courts may refuse to enforce a postnuptial agreement if it appears that one party did not receive fair legal counsel.
Spousal support is determined by the income and needs of the parties, as well as the duration of the marriage. Our family law attorneys work diligently to ensure that the property division and spousal support arrangements are fair and equitable, enabling our clients to transition smoothly to their new lives post-divorce.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, or marital agreements, are contracts entered into by couples either before or after marriage. These agreements must be documented in writing and signed voluntarily by both spouses to be considered valid. Complete financial disclosure from both parties is crucial for the agreement’s validity, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Postnuptial agreements, on the other hand, are created after marriage and can address similar issues, often in response to changes in the couple’s circumstances.
Both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements should not be excessively unfair to one party to be enforceable. These agreements typically require notarized signatures, and the terms must comply with state laws.
Our San Francisco family lawyers may be able to fight your prenuptial agreements depending on the circumstances.
Our experienced family law attorneys guide clients through the process of drafting postnuptial agreements, ensuring their agreements are legally sound and reflect their mutual interests.
Domestic Partnerships and Legal Separation
The separation of domestic partners is similar to that of married couples, but there are some legal differences, especially when it comes to dividing assets.
Property owned before the partnership stays with the original owner after separation. Judges may decide on partner support based on factors like how long the partnership lasted, income differences, and the partners’ health and earning ability.
California recognizes registered domestic partnerships for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. To end a domestic partnership, one must state it is ‘irretrievably broken’ without needing to prove fault. The process involves filing a Petition for Dissolution with the court, and dividing assets and debts is handled similarly to divorce.
If children are involved, child custody and support arrangements are made based on what is best for the child. Partner support may be given to a financially dependent partner, and legal documents like wills and healthcare directives should be updated after the separation.
How Seeley Family Law Practice Can Help You
At Seeley Family Law, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate legal support to our clients. Our experienced family law team understands the complexities and emotional challenges that accompany family law matters.
Personalized Legal Strategies
We recognize that every family law case is unique. Our attorneys take the time to understand your specific circumstances and develop tailored legal strategies to meet your needs. Whether you are dealing with divorce, child custody, or spousal support, we aim to provide solutions that align with your goals and best interests.
Compassionate Support
We know that family law disputes can be emotionally taxing. Our firm is committed to offering empathetic and supportive counsel throughout the legal process. We strive to make you feel heard and understood, providing a safe space to discuss your concerns and objectives.
Vigorous Advocacy
Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators. We are prepared to advocate vigorously on your behalf, whether in mediation or in court. Our trial-ready approach ensures that we are always prepared to fight for your rights and achieve the best possible outcome for your case..
Trial-Ready Representation
One of our standout qualities is our readiness to take cases to trial. Our family law attorneys possess extensive trial experience and are known for their success in court hearings. We emphasize intense trial preparation as crucial for achieving favorable settlements. Our no-nonsense, efficient methodology ensures robust representation in all cases, fostering confidence and peace of mind for our clients.
Beyond initial trials, our attorneys are also equipped to handle appeals related to family law cases. This ensures continued representation and support for our clients, even beyond the first court order. Our dedication to thorough preparation and strategic advocacy underscores our commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Contact Our San Francisco Family Law Practice Today
If you need dedicated legal assistance with family law matters, don’t wait. Contact Seeley Family Law Practice today for an initial consultation. Our dedicated team is here to help you handle your legal challenges with compassion and skill.
Call us at 650-347-9111 to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward resolving your family law issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my initial consultation with a family law attorney?
For your initial consultation, it’s important to bring any relevant documents related to your case. This could include marriage certificates, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, financial statements, and any court documents if your case is already in progress. Having these documents on hand will help the attorney understand your situation better and provide more accurate advice.
How long does a typical divorce process take in California?
The duration of a divorce process in California can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the level of cooperation between the parties. On average, it takes about six months from the date of filing to finalize a divorce, due to the mandatory waiting period. However, more contentious cases involving significant assets or child custody disputes may take longer to resolve.
How can I protect my assets during a divorce?
Protecting your assets during a divorce involves several steps. It’s important to gather and organize all financial documents, such as bank statements, property deeds, and investment accounts. Consider consulting with a financial advisor and a family law attorney to understand your rights and obligations. Establishing a clear picture of both community and separate property can help ensure a fair division of assets. Additionally, consider updating your estate plan and beneficiaries to reflect your new circumstances.
What is the difference between legal separation and divorce?
Legal separation and divorce both address issues like property division, child custody, and support, but they differ in one key aspect: marital status. In a legal separation, the couple remains legally married, which means they can’t remarry unless they get a divorce. Some couples opt for legal separation for religious reasons, to retain certain benefits or as a step before deciding to divorce.
How is child support calculated in California?
Child support in California is calculated using a specific formula that considers several factors, including the income of both parents, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and any tax deductions available to each parent. The goal is to ensure that the child’s financial needs are met in a manner that reflects the standard of living they would have enjoyed if the parents were still together. Additional factors like healthcare costs, educational expenses, and special needs may also be taken into account.