Family Law

Family Law Rooted in Practical, Amicable Resolution

Divorce and custody don’t have to be a battlefield. Our family law practice is designed for clients who want to reach practical, durable agreements—efficiently, respectfully, and with as little disruption as possible. We focus on mediation and negotiated settlements in dissolution, child custody and visitation, spousal support, and asset division, with an approach that aligns naturally with our estate planning and trust administration work.

Settlement-First Representation

• Amicable by design. We concentrate on cases where both sides are willing to work toward agreement.
• Efficient and clear. You’ll get straightforward guidance, realistic timelines, and plain-English explanations at every step.
• Protective of relationships. Settlement can reduce conflict, preserve co-parenting dynamics, and lower emotional and financial costs.

Matters We Handle

• Divorce, Legal Separation, and Domestic Partnership Dissolution
  Settlement strategy, required disclosures, and court-ready Marital Settlement Agreements.
  
• Marital Settlement Agreements 
  We work with you and your spouse to prepare Marital Settlement Agreements that resolve custody, support, and property division without litigation.
• Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements
  Agreements to create clear guidelines of how assets, liabilities, and income will be handled during the marriage, leaving no guess-work in the event of dissolution.
• Transmutation Agreements
  Carefully drafted changes to property character during the marriage.

Where Family Law Meets Estate Planning

Many families need both a fair divorce settlement and coordinated lifetime planning. Because our firm also handles trusts and estates, we can help you:

• Align beneficiary designations and trust terms with your settlement.
• Address retirement accounts and coordinate with QDRO professionals when needed.
• Plan for special-needs or adult children, including support and guardianship considerations.
• Update wills, powers of attorney, and health directives so your legal documents match your new reality.

This holistic approach is especially valuable for business-owners, blended families, and matters involving inheritances or family trusts.

Inform Yourself

Importantly, many people don't realize that marriage is a contractual relationship with far-reaching implications—especially concerning property rights. In California, any property acquired during marriage is generally presumed to be community property, meaning it is subject to equal division upon divorce unless otherwise agreed to in a clear written agreement or clear evidence of the asset's separate property character.  That’s why thoughtful legal planning—before, during, or after marriage—is essential to protecting your assets and understanding your obligations.

Pre-Marital (Nuptial) Agreements

Planning a prenuptial agreement requires thoughtful consideration and should never be a last-minute decision. To ensure your agreement is legally sound and enforceable, we strongly recommend starting the process at least 45 to 60 days before your wedding. This timeline allows both parties ample opportunity to review the terms, engage in meaningful negotiations, and obtain independent legal counsel—each of which is a critical component of a valid and effective agreement. Rushing the process can lead to unnecessary stress and may jeopardize the agreement’s enforceability. Getting married soon? Don’t wait—contact us today to begin!

Post-Marital (Nuptial) Agreements

Postnuptial agreements are a written contract between married couples during the marriage. It sets clear guidelines about how assets and debts will be owned, managed and - if needed - divided in the future. A well-crafted postnup can reduce conflict, protect family assets and businesses, and provide financial clarity during the marriage. It can define separate property, community property, update property rights as life changes, set guidelines for managing money, and plan for unexpected events such as dissolution. The agreement will need to be in writing, signed by both parties, include full honest disclosures to each spouse, and be voluntary and free or pressure or coercion. Each spouse should have their own independent attorney for enforceability. You want to allow time for review, questions, and to negotiate fair terms.