Santa Monica Family Law Attorney

When touched by a family law matter, you may be unsure of where to turn for advice that is both knowledgeable and practical. You need an experienced Santa Monica family law attorney who listens and offers you unique guidance to your family and your circumstances.

At Fernandez & Karney, our Santa Monica family law attorneys are:

• Accessible and open communicators
• Focused on you as an individual
• Effective strategic negotiators and litigators

Meet with one of our skilled family law attorneys in a confidential consultation today and learn more about our approach to family law cases. Fernandez & Karney is a full-service family law firm and can assist you with any family law matter regardless of its complexity.

Let Our Santa Monica Family Law Attorneys Help You

Family law cases can be overwhelming and stressful.  Do not face one of these matters without professional legal representation by your side. At Fernandez & Karney, we will respond to your questions and concerns while ensuring you understand how California’s family laws and statutes impact you and your case.

Let our firm guide you through the family law process. A Santa Monica family attorney from Fernandez & Karney can do the following and more on your behalf:

• Prepare and draft legal documents, whether court-related or stand-alone
• Negotiate, mediate, or litigate disputes
• Create child custody and visitation plans
• Negotiate and calculate child support
• Provide representation in court hearings or a trial
• Administer a loved one’s estate

Contact Fernandez & Karney to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing ways to solve your current or upcoming family law matter.

What are Family Law Cases?

Family law cases are civil court cases that deal with family or domestic-related issues such as:

• Divorce
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support
• Paternity or parentage
• Guardianship
• Domestic violence (Domestic violence can be part of both a civil and criminal law proceeding.)
• Adoption

Many family law cases arise from marital conflict or divorce, especially those involving children or complex assets.

Santa Monica Family Law Overview

The following is a brief overview of everyday family law actions in Santa Monica.  For more information about these or any other family law procedure, seek the advice of an experienced Santa Monica family law lawyer from Fernandez & Karney.

Divorce in Santa Monica

All California divorces must meet state residency requirements. One spouse must be a resident of California for six months and live in the county where the divorce is filed for the preceding three months.

There is a six-month waiting period to obtain a divorce in California without exception.

Child Custody and Visitation in Santa Monica

Parents are presumed equally fit to have custody of their minor children in California unless there is an outlying issue. It is preferred for parents to make their own agreed custody and visitation arrangements.

When an agreement is not forthcoming, the court considers the best interests of the child and other statutory factors in ordering a custody and visitation arrangement.

Child Support in Santa Monica

California has a set of guidelines the court follows when calculating child support. The formula is based primarily on the parents’ gross income and the time each parent physically spends with their child.

Alimony and Spousal Support in Santa Monica

Alimony is not a mandatory order in California. The court has guidelines and statutory considerations it must apply when deciding whether to grant alimony to a spouse and how much, if any, is appropriate.

Prenuptial Agreements in Santa Monica

A prenuptial agreement is a contract spouses enter into before marriage. California prenuptial agreements must meet specific requirements to be upheld in court.

No prenuptial agreement may be entered into involuntarily or without a complete understanding of the agreement, nor can the terms be too unfair or one-sided.

Contact an Experienced Santa Monica Family Law Attorney

If you have a family law case in Santa Monica, speak with a dedicated family law attorney at Fernandez & Karney as soon as possible. We have the experience and resources to provide you with the quality legal representation you want and deserve.

Do not allow your legal burdens to weigh you down.  Let Fernandez & Karney shoulder your concerns and legal issues.