Experienced Divorce Lawyers in Roseville Provide Strong Advocacy
Sacramento area firm helps spouses obtain fair terms on important matters
Patrick Law Corp in Roseville represents Northern California spouses in all types of divorce proceedings. Our experienced attorneys work closely with clients to help them determine which path is best for them as they look to end their marriage and start a new chapter of their life. Whether you choose to dissolve your marital union through negotiation, mediation or in court, we’ll work diligently to achieve the best terms possible on important issues such as custody, property division, alimony and child support.
Divorce options under California’s no-fault system
California is a no-fault divorce jurisdiction, so it is not necessary to allege that your spouse has committed any marital misconduct, only that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. At least six months must pass between the date of filing and when the marriage legally ends. If no disputes exist over key terms, seeking an uncontested divorce can save you time and money. However, it’s important to have a qualified attorney review your settlement agreement to make sure that you are not putting yourself in a disadvantageous position. Summary dissolution is also available for childless couples who have few marital assets and wish to handle their divorce themselves.
Another option is limited divorce, which gives spouses who live apart the opportunity to address issues relating to custody, child support, property division and alimony without legally terminating their marriage.
Experienced attorneys handle issues relating to community property
Since California is a community property state, most assets and debts acquired by either spouse during the course of the marriage are shared equally by both parties. Separate property, including assets that one spouse owned prior to the wedding as well as gifts and inheritances left to one spouse, are not divisible. Whether the process occurs inside or outside of court, splitting the community property can lead to complex challenges, such as those relating to:
- Marital homes and vehicles — We look to allocate valuable items such as homes and vehicles in a manner that is fair and takes into account remaining obligations and compensation that might be provided to the party who does not take full ownership.
- Business ownership — Conflicts can erupt over valuation of a business or whether an enterprise should be classified as separate or community property. We rely on industry experts to support our clients with the most accurate information possible.
- Pensions, retirement assets and other investments — Our firm advises clients on Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) and alternative methods of fairly allocating investments, retirement assets and pension funds.
- Intellectual property — Like tangible items, copyrights, patents and other types of intellectual property become part of the marital estate and are addressed in the property division order.
Couples need not divide marital assets evenly if they have a contrary prenuptial agreement in place. If you are looking to enforce or challenge a document, our family attorneys will assess how the document will affect your property distribution.
Family litigators assist with custody and spousal support modifications
A dissolution order ends the marriage, but in many cases, the parties still have legal responsibilities to each other. Decisions on child custody and visitation are made based on what the court believes to be in the best interests of young people at the time the order is entered. Child support and spousal support determinations hinge largely on the relative incomes and earning capacities of each parent. These factors can change over time, and our firm handles all types of family court modification issues and helps clients understand where reasonable cause exists to justify a revision as well as where a judge might review a proposed change as frivolous or a means to avoid one’s existing obligations.
Contact an effective Placer County divorce lawyer for a free consultation
Patrick Law Corp in Roseville handles divorce matters for California clients. For a free initial consultation, please call 916-226-6062 or contact us online.
