How To Find the Best Family Law Attorney in Orange County, CA?

Family law is a specific area of practice that centers around family disputes. While most people endeavor to grow families that are healthy, happy, and whole, sometimes there are conflicts that require professional help to resolve.

If you find yourself in the middle of a divorce or disputing with a co-parent over visitation rights, you may want to hire a family law attorney. However, how do you know how to find the best family law attorney in Orange County, CA?

What Are Common Practice Areas for a Family Law Attorney?

An Orange County family law attorney is an attorney who handles cases that involve sensitive family issues. They may offer legal advice or represent their clients in court if their case goes to trial. While divorce and child custody are common areas of practice for family law attorneys, there are many other cases these attorneys may handle. The following are common practice areas specific to family law attorneys:

• Divorce – When a couple decides to separate, they may hire a family law attorney to help them finalize their divorce. There are several types of divorces, as well as financial factors to consider, such as property division, child support and custody, and asset division.
• Child Custody – Child custody is a major practice area for family law attorneys. All children deserve a peaceful, stable, and happy upbringing, and negotiating child custody arrangements can help ensure this. A capable family law attorney can ensure this process is smooth for the adults involved and beneficial for the child.
• Child Support – Much like child custody, family lawyers also provide guidance for child support cases. A family law attorney can ensure the custodial parent receives what they need in child support to properly care for the child.
• Marital Property Division – When a couple divorces, financial aspects, such as spousal support, child support, and asset and property division, must be considered. This is especially true if the couple purchases property or accrues assets during the marriage rather than before. A family law attorney can help their client determine how property should be distributed, whether they are married, in a domestic partnership, or separated.
• Prenuptial Agreements – A prenuptial agreement is a contract a couple signs before marriage that determines matters such as how assets are to be distributed if they happen to divorce. Although most couples plan to be in their marriages long-term, it may be wise to have a prenuptial agreement if one or both parties enter the marriage with considerable assets.
• Spousal Support – In some divorces or legal separations, one spouse must pay spousal support to the other to maintain financial stability. This is also true for domestic violence restraining order cases. Deciding spousal support payments can create tension, so a family law attorney is often needed to intervene and ensure the receiving party is compensated fairly and the paying party is not taken advantage of.
• Mediation – Not all couples going through divorce require a judge to settle their issues. Sometimes, all it takes is an experienced lawyer willing to listen and help the couple solve their problems. This alternative is more cost-effective, as it saves time and avoids costly litigation fees. Mediation is a great alternative for couples who want to remain friends or who need to continue seeing each other.
• Domestic Violence – Domestic violence occurs when a partner in a marriage, dating relationship, co-parent relationship, or living arrangement uses verbal, physical, or emotional abuse against their partner. An experienced family lawyer can help victims of domestic violence secure a restraining order and educate them on other rights.

Choosing an Effective Family Law Attorney

When deciding on an effective family law attorney, it is important to choose one who is empathetic and compassionate and can carefully guide you to effective solutions. Family law cases tend to be tense and can sometimes bring out the bad sides of people, so in addition to being experienced and knowledgeable about the law, they should be able to handle your case with sensitivity.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Family Law Attorney Cost in California?

A: The cost of a family law attorney in California varies and is based on several factors, including the lawyer’s experience, the case complexity, and location. More experienced lawyers can justify charging more, while less experienced lawyers may have lower fees. Additionally, since many lawyers charge hourly rates, the more time-consuming the case is, the higher the fees may be. Finally, attorneys tend to be more costly in areas with a higher cost of living.

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

A: Although the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a small difference between a lawyer and an attorney in California. A lawyer is someone who has attended and graduated from law school but may not be licensed to practice law. An attorney is someone who not only graduated from law school but is also a member of the State Bar of California and is licensed to practice law and represent clients in court.

Q: Do You Need a Lawyer for Family Court in California?

A: You do not necessarily need a lawyer for family court, but it is highly recommended that you hire one for many reasons. There are resources available for representing yourself in family court; however, this is mostly for individuals who cannot afford a lawyer and need free or low-cost options.

Q: What Are Common Practice Areas for a Family Lawyer in California?

A: Common practice areas for a family lawyer in California include divorce, separation, child support, child custody, paternity, and spousal support, amongst others. Licensed family lawyers may represent clients in court who are dealing with any of the above matters and can also offer legal advice in these situations when needed or requested.

Contact Our Team Today

At The Law Offices of Ronda A. Middleton, we provide personalized legal advice to our clients, guiding them toward effective solutions. We combine experience, compassion, and empathy to ensure tense family issues come to peaceful and fair agreements. Contact our office today to receive a consultation. You can trust us to handle your case with care.