San Diego Family Law Attorneys
Legal Services From Certified Family Law Experts In Carlsbad
Hiring a family law attorney is arguably one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make in your lifetime; it also has the potential to be one of the most influential. The impact of your choice may be felt for years to come. As such, you’ll want to weigh your options carefully to ensure you find the best-suited legal team for the job.
At Griffith, Young & Lass, we understand more than anything that, in hiring us, you are putting your trust, livelihood and, very often, the future wellbeing of your family in our hands. We do not take this lightly, and we are dedicated to being good stewards of that trust.
Contact us online or give our team a call at 858-951-1526 to learn more about the ethical approach we take to divorce and family law cases in San Diego. Our San Diego family law attorneys would be happy to schedule a meeting to discuss the logistics of your situation and the legal options available to you given the circumstances.
While family law does have commonalities, few divorces are ever the same. Your situation will have unique details that can add to the complications of your case. For example, there may be a property settlement to contend with. In other cases, you may be fighting for the rights of your unborn child or want sole custody instead of joint custody; or you may be a stay-at-home parent who lacks the funds to pursue your divorce on your own. In some cases, you may be trying to prove the paternity of a toddler or fighting for your immigration status as you face divorce at the same time.
The more details involved in the divorce, the more complicated it can become. And the more complicated the case, the more expensive and time-consuming it can be to complete. However, you can expedite your divorce by calling on the services of North County’s finest family attorneys: Griffith, Young & Lass.
At GYL, you will be represented by a team of dedicated family lawyers in San Diego who operate cost-consciously and with your best interests at heart. Give us a call or contact us online today.
How To Find The Right Family Lawyer In San Diego
When searching for a family law attorney in San Diego to assist you, the first step is to engage in a consultation. The family lawyer will use this initial meeting to get to know you and your case, and you should use this initial meeting to ask any questions and voice any concerns you may have. The right family lawyer will be able to give you peace of mind about the legal process ahead of you.
If you decide to move forward with your case, your family lawyer will help you create a strategy for getting the very best outcome for your unique situation. If you are going through a divorce, all details will be carefully considered. If yours is a high-asset divorce, your family attorney will develop a settlement offer that nets you the most value so you can move on with your life. If there are children involved, your lawyer can help you determine the proper timeshare schedule, child support amounts, and a co-parenting plan to ensure the children’s well-being.
At GYL, we handle all divorce and family law matters including:
- Enforcing emergency custody orders in cases involving domestic violence
- Creating prenups and postnups
- Establishing fathers’ rights
- Advocating for you in child protective custody (CPS) cases where you’re
threatened with losing your kids - Enforcing grandparents’ rights when the parents can no longer care for the children
- And more
Contact us about scheduling a consultation with an experienced San Diego family law attorney. Dial 858-951-1526 today or complete an online contact form.
Examples of Family Law Cases in San Diego
Below is a small sampling of the types of family law cases we handle regularly. Please note that this is a limited list of our services. If you do not see your particular need listed below, do not be discouraged. Instead, call our office at 858-951-1526 to learn more about our comprehensive family law services and how they may be applicable to your case.
As you can see, it is common for divorces to be complex, especially if the spouses can’t agree on the specifics of the case, such as how to share assets and custody of the children, how much to pay in child support and alimony, and other considerations.
In most cases, the best-case scenario is for you and your spouse to settle out of court using mediation. Your divorce attorney can help you create a settlement strategy that can hopefully bring about a mutually agreeable resolution to the divorce process.
If mediation isn’t possible, or you don’t wish to work with a mediator, an attorney can help you file a petition for dissolution, which is the first step in the California divorce process. Once the petition is received by the court, your spouse will be served. Your spouse will then have 30 days to file a response.
California requires you to wait six months from the date of service of the Petition for Dissolution before the matrimonial status can be terminated.
If divorce court is required, a member of our team will act as your advocate. All documents and information will be collected from the other spouse in order to create a divorce strategy that nets you the best possible outcome for your case.
The paperwork required is another hurdle couples must overcome. Only a qualified attorney can help you fill out all documents with complete authority. Whether it’s the initial divorce filing or another matrimonial matter, like a prenup, our experienced San Diego family attorneys know California law and how it pertains to your unique situation.
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a payment from one spouse to another in order to maintain the status quo. Alimony may be ordered temporarily or permanently, depending on the specifics of the case.
The amount and duration of alimony will be calculated according to the length of the marriage, the amount of income each spouse earns, timesharing considerations with regard to child custody, and other extenuating circumstances.
When two spouses separate, they are still financially obligated to any children they share. This means that child support may be ordered according to the divorce decree.
Child support is typically ordered to be paid by the custodial parent to the primary parent. Even if the couple shares 50-50 or joint custody, child support can be ordered by a California divorce judge.
Many factors are considered when child support is calculated, such as the number of children involved, the income level of each parent, timeshare and visitation schedules, and more.
If the marriage involves any level of domestic violence, this can complicate the divorce process. The first step is to extricate yourself from the abusive spouse as quickly as possible. Then, call a qualified divorce lawyer.
Your attorney can help you file the appropriate divorce documentation, including restraining orders that will ensure peace during this trying process. If there are children involved, your family attorney in San Diego can file an emergency child custody order within 48 hours, ensuring the safety of the children.
Under California family law, any assets or debts accumulated during the marriage are subject to division during the divorce process.
A prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement prevents some property from being divided and seeks to navigate around the normal rules of earnings and asset division.
A prenuptial agreement lawyer can help you draft the proper forms and submit them to the court to keep your assets intact during your divorce.
What if My Spouse Filed First?
If you have been served with divorce papers in California, now is the time to find a qualified attorney who can help you file the necessary response. You have 30 days from the date of service of the Petition of Dissolution of Marriage to file your response. An experienced San Diego family lawyer can help you file the necessary paperwork to avoid any potential complications.
If you happen to file the wrong paperwork or you don’t fill out the documents properly, this can draw out your divorce and lead to greater expenses. You can keep the divorce process as efficient as possible, thus cutting down on all expenses and stress, by calling our team today.
Looking For The Best Family Lawyer In Carlsbad? Hire GYL!
While divorce is never easy, the process can go by quicker and with less stress when you have an experienced family lawyer by your side. At GYL, our talented family attorneys are experienced beyond their years. We have two certified family law specialists on staff, as well as an entire team of eager, innovative, and strategic-minded lawyers who are committed to helping you achieve a favorable outcome to your divorce or family law matter.
Contact us to schedule a consultation! Dial 858-951-1526 or complete an online contact form today to get started.
