Huntington Beach Family Lawyer

Some of the most difficult problems in life involve family. Whether your circumstances involve child custody, divorce, alimony, or other issues relating to your loved ones, they can all be hard to navigate. A Huntington Beach family law attorney can provide you with the legal assistance and support you need during this time. It is important to reach out to an experienced attorney because they can help ensure your rights are protected and that you are treated fairly.

What Family Law Includes?

Family law is a broad legal term that can refer to a wide variety of scenarios. Some of these that may be included are:

• Divorce: There are many different forms that a divorce may take in the process of going to court and becoming finalized, including contested divorce and uncontested divorce. It is important to know what you are seeking to accomplish and gain through a divorce, which an experienced lawyer can help you with.
• Child Custody: Child custody cases in Huntington Beach can be difficult in many ways, including financially, legally, and especially emotionally. An experienced family lawyer can help you find a solution that has your child’s interests in mind.
• Child Support: It can be difficult to come to a solution regarding child support that both you and your divorcing spouse agree on. Family lawyers who have handled similar cases can guide you through the process with compassionate support.
• Domestic Violence: In some cases, a family lawyer may take on cases involving domestic violence. Depending on the nature of the crimes committed, a criminal lawyer may also be called in to aid in the process. However, a family lawyer can still be of help, especially if there are children involved.
• Adoption: There are many legal processes involved in adoption, which can be made easier with the help of a family lawyer who has experience with adoption.

Divorce

Divorce is a common type of family law case. In California, there are two main types of divorce that a couple may pursue: contested divorce and uncontested divorce. Contested divorce refers to a situation in which the divorcing individuals are not able to agree on terms for the divorce, such as child support or custody, alimony, and others. Uncontested divorce refers to situations in which the divorcing couple agrees on every aspect of the divorce terms.

Child Custody

There are two primary forms that child custody may take in California: physical custody and legal custody. The parent whom the child resides with for most of the time will likely have physical custody. The other parent may still retain visiting rights, but they spend significantly less time with the child.

The parent who is able to make important decisions regarding the child, such as where they go to school, and medical and educational decisions is the parent with legal custody.

Child Support

Child support is the requirement of one parent to pay a specified amount of money to another parent to financially support their child or children. The parent who pays child support is oftentimes not the parent with physical custody, which is why they may be required to financially provide. The amount of child support that is required is often based on the child’s needs and both parent’s financial situations.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can range in severity, meaning that the involvement of a family lawyer and/or a criminal lawyer may look different in each case. Depending on the specifics of a case, crimes committed in domestic violence scenarios may be tried as either misdemeanors or felonies. Domestic violence cases are oftentimes classified as family law if they include individuals who live together and if children are involved.

Adoption

There are various types of adoption, such as international adoption, interstate adoption, adoption from foster care, private adoption, and more. Family lawyers may be familiar with one or more of these types of adoptions and can help you navigate whichever form you and your family may be pursuing. Regardless, the adoption process is complex and lengthy, which means that the help of an experienced lawyer can be beneficial.

How a Family Lawyer Can Help

There are many roles that a family lawyer may fill. It is important to share your specific needs with the lawyer you choose to hire so that they can better understand how to support you and your family in Huntington Beach, CA.

While each lawyer will help their clients in a unique way, some ways in which a lawyer can be helpful include:

• Offering legal advice. There are many lengthy and complex laws regarding family issues such as divorce, child custody, and more in California. To someone who is unfamiliar with the intricacies of such laws, it can be difficult to make decisions. However, these decisions are important because they will impact your life in a serious way. A lawyer can advise you on how to wisely make these decisions.
• Representing you in court. It can be scary to walk into an unfamiliar courtroom by yourself. Aside from not knowing what to expect, you may also find it difficult to face your significant other alone if you are involved in a divorce or child custody case. A family lawyer can not only represent and speak for you in court, but they can also offer you the comfort of personal support during this emotional time.
• Leading mediation. In some cases, especially those involving divorce, it may not be necessary to go to court. It may be possible for your lawyer and your spouse’s lawyer to work out terms that you and your spouse may agree to. Having a family lawyer who can do this for you can save you much time, energy, and money.
• Guiding you through legal paperwork. One of the most overwhelming parts of any legal case is the required paperwork. Such paperwork often contains legal jargon and lengthy explanations that can be too much for someone who is not trained to read and understand such things. A family lawyer who is familiar with those types of documents can help you understand what you need to know.

These are just a few examples of ways in which a family lawyer may be able to help you. However, each case is unique and may require unique solutions. It is important to share the details of your situation with your lawyer so they can adequately assist you.

Huntington Beach Family Law FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in California?

A: The cost of a family lawyer in California will vary depending on a variety of details. One important factor to note is the method by which a lawyer charges their clients. Some lawyers use hourly rates, meaning that you will pay based on how much time they spend on your case. Other lawyers may charge a flat fee for the services they provide. In some cases, a lawyer may combine these two methods.

Q: What Is a Conflict of Interest in a Divorce?

A: A conflict of interest in a divorce refers to any situation where one spouse’s lawyer may be unable to act impartially because of a relationship they have with the other spouse or with the other spouse’s lawyer. For example, two lawyers from the same law firm who are representing each individual in a divorce may be considered to have a conflict of interest. A lawyer having prior legal relations with the couple could also be considered a conflict of interest.

Q: What Type of Lawyer Is Ideal for a Divorce?

A: The ideal lawyer for any specific type of case is a lawyer who has experience in handling similar cases. For example, if you are a mother of multiple children filing for divorce, it could be helpful to find an attorney who has successfully handled other cases involving mothers filing for divorce. This can be helpful because an experienced attorney may already know the specific steps that need to be taken and actions that may need to be avoided.

Q: What Is the Difference Between an Attorney and a Lawyer in California?

A: The greatest difference between an attorney and a lawyer in California is that an attorney is someone who has passed the state bar exam, which is what licenses them to be able to legally practice law in court. A lawyer refers to anyone who has graduated from law school, regardless of whether or not they have taken the bar exam. Lawyers who have not taken the bar exam are not legally able to represent clients in court.

Contact The Goldberg Legal Group

The Goldberg Legal Group has many years of experience in representing clients in family matters. We have handled various types of situations, from child custody to contested divorce to spousal and child support. It is important to handle such cases in a timely manner because the amount of time you and your attorney have can have a great impact on the outcome of your case.

There are many scenarios that may require the assistance of a family lawyer. If you find yourself wondering if you could benefit from such assistance, do not hesitate to reach out. Contact The Goldberg Legal Group today to learn more about how we can help you.