Los Angeles Family Law Attorneys

child custody

Child custody and visitation is often the most contentious and emotionally challenging part of a divorce. Our experienced Los Angeles child custody attorneys will effectively represent you in achieving a favorable custody and visitation result that is in the best interests of the children.

Divorce

Fernandez & Karney will handle every aspect of your divorce or family law matter. We have experience in marital dissolution proceedings, complex property division, child custody and “move-aways,” paternity, marital settlement agreements, and domestic violence cases. We have a proven track record of assisting individuals throughout the Los Angeles area. Find out how we can help you.

Move Aways

A “move-away “case arises when a parent that has joint or sole custody of the child decides to move to a location that is far enough away to disrupt the current custodial arrangement. Whether the move is near or far, if the move will impact the current custody situation, the parents will need new custody and visitation orders. Relocation and move-away cases are one of the most difficult decisions a judge has to make and many factors are considered before making a ruling.

Paternity

Issues of paternity can be very sensitive in nature and can impact the futures of both the parents and the children involved. Fernandez & Karney can help you navigate the waters of paternity law. We represent clients who seek to prove or disprove paternity, and offer competent counsel in both types of paternity actions. California’s Family Code presumes that if a child is born to a married mother, her spouse is the father of that child. Paternity presumption may be refuted if a court-authorized genetic testing indicates that the spouse is not the child’s father. If Paternity is at issue, you need an experienced family law attorney.

Spousal Support

Temporary spousal support (alimony) after separation is intended to maintain the parties’ status quo as they navigate through the dissolution process. Permanent spousal support, on the other hand, is judged broadly by the parties’ “circumstances” in reference to their standard of living established during their marriage and their respective needs and abilities to pay. The court is required to consider 14 statutory factors in evaluating the issue of permanent spousal support, and the ultimate decision—as to amount, duration and whether to retain spousal support jurisdiction—rests within the court’s broad discretion.

Complex Property Issues

Fernandez & Karney is familiar with complex financial issues arising from cases with a large community estate. It is important to complete a correct accounting of all assets and income from the marriage to determine cash flow available for support, community property vs. separate property interests, retirement benefits distribution, income tracing, and business valuation. Our experience includes working with forensic accountants, business evaluators and appraisers to advocate for your financial position.

Domestic Violence

Fernandez and Karney has successfully prosecuted domestic violence charges for over 42 years. They work efficiently and effectively to prepare all imperative paperwork with the courts and coordinates with the all necessary channels to ensure the situation is taken care of without undue stress to their clients.

Judgment Modification

Circumstances in your life or the life of your former spouse often change significantly after a divorce. As such, one of you may need to seek a modification of your divorce judgment. This could include child custody, division of property, or debt may also need to be modified. The Los Angeles family law attorneys at Fernandez & Karney offer comprehensive legal services related to the modification of orders.

Order Enforcement

There are often difficulties that can arise after a final divorce judgment has been entered and spouses become officially divorced. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to enforce these orders and resolve disputes that arise after the divorce process is over. Our family law attorneys have successfully assisted their clients in all California enforcement of orders.

Prenuptial Agreement

A prenuptial agreement (premarital agreement) is a written agreement or contract made by a couple before they are married which generally lists the assets and debts each has and how they will be handled after the marriage takes place. Understanding how an impending marriage can impact your property and assets is an important consideration prior to entering a marriage. Our Los Angeles attorneys helps clients with the process of negotiating and preparing prenuptial agreements to protect their assets, finances, and business interests.