Family Law/Divorce
Bankruptcy (Consumer)
Estate Planning
Business & Probate Litigation
Other Practice Areas

• Family Law

  We have extensive experience helping clients with family law matters. Our practice includes the following types of matters:

  • Divorce
  • Custody & Visitation
  • Child Support
  • Alimony
  • Adoption
  • Related matters of family law

  • Divorce- The breakup of a marriage is often one of the most stressful times in a person's life. We have tremendous experience in helping clients through the painful experience of divorce and in making certain that they receive their fair share of marital assets when divorce is the chosen path.

  • Custody and Visitation As part of a divorce proceeding, the court will often make a determination as to which parent will have custody of any minor children. There are two types of custody legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody entitles a parent to have input into such things as what school the child will attend. Physical custody refers to where a child will live. In most cases, one parent will have physical custody for more than fifty percent of the time and is referred to as the "custodial parent." The time allotted to the other parent by the court is referred to as "visitation."

  • Child Support As part of a divorce proceeding, the court will often make a determination as to whether one of the parents shall receive monetary contributions from the other parent for the care of the child. It may be possible for the amount ordered by the court to be altered at a later date if either parent petitions the court for such a change. We have years of experience dealing with both initial child support determinations and later alterations.

  • Alimony This is a court ordered allowance that one spouse pays to the other spouse for support while they are separated or after they are divorced. We work very hard to ensure that clients receive fair alimony payments for as long as possible.

  • Adoption- Many loving individuals either cannot have children, or simply want to open up their home to another child. Adoption is often a lengthy process with significant red tape. We can help you through the process so that you can share the gift of love with a special child.

  
  
• Bankruptcy (Consumer) Chapters 7 & 13

  A large part of our practice involves helping clients through the bankruptcy process. All of the bankruptcy cases we handle involve consumer bankruptcy issues under Chapter 7 (liquidation) or Chapter 13 (debt relief).

  The consumer bankruptcy laws are set up to allow people to escape debt and to get a fresh start. We have years of experience with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings and can help you reduce or eliminate your debts, while still keeping property. There is no reason to let debt ruin your life. Give us a call today!

  What is the difference between Chapters 7 and 13?
  Chapter 7 is often called full bankruptcy, while Chapter 13 is often called a wage earner plan. The main difference is that in Chapter 7, debts are discharged right away with a court order. The debtor no longer has to pay anything on these debts. With Chapter 13, the debtor will be required to make payments for three to five years according to a payment schedule, although the debts need not be paid in full. Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 end with a court order discharging the debtor of any responsibilities on the relevant debt

  People often mistakenly believe that they have to pay their debts in full in Chapter 13. Actually, debtors are only required to pay what they can reasonably afford for a period of three to five years. Additionally, they are only required to pay back the fair market value of collateral they are able to keep, not the entire amount owed. Basically, Chapter 13 enables debtors to catch up on their home mortgage payments, renegotiate their student loans, pay back delinquent taxes over time or pay back their car loans. By using Chapter 13, the debtor can force a creditor to accept payments in an amount usually much lower than they are paying outside of the bankruptcy laws.

  
  
• Estate Planning

  We handle all aspects of estate planning for both individuals and couples of modest means to the high net worth family. Counseling often involves corporate and succession planning for family owned/closely held businesses. Our experience includes implementation of a wide variety of wealth preservation, tax avoidance and asset protection strategies including family partnerships/LLCs, split-interests trusts, and gifting programs.

  • Wills- When a person passes away, his/her assets are distributed according to his/her will. If no will is in effect, the person is said to have died intestate. In such a case, the laws of intestate of the state determine the distribution of all assets. Many people want their assets distributed in a particular manner. As a result, the preparation of a legally binding will is very important.

  • Trusts- Trusts are an important part of estate planning. One important use is to provide a steady income to the beneficiary over the course of time, rather than distribution of a lump sum. This strategy can reduce the beneficiary's tax liability and allow the trust to grow through investment. Trusts can also be established that allow charitable contributions.

  
  
• Business and Probate Litigation

  We represent and advise clients who are or might become involved in a lawsuit or appeal as a result of a dispute, including prevention and settlement, in all business matters. Cases that fall under this practice area include, but are not limited to, breach of contract claims, business torts such as suits for interference with business or contractual relations, suits for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud claims, and employment disputes.

  We also handle a large number of probate litigation cases. Probate is the legal process by which a person's debts are paid and assets distributed upon his or her death. Sometimes the beneficiaries of an estate wish to dispute how the assets of an estate are to be distributed. We have years of experience helping people get the money they deserve after the death of a loved one.

  Our clients evaluate our performance based on both the results we achieve and the containment of costs associated with those achievements. Thus, we seldom will be recommending last-minute settlements on the courthouse steps. If a matter can be settled, we strive to accomplish that end before permitting undue legal fees. If settlement is not feasible, our opponents know they face a serious challenge from lawyers who are trained to win at trial.

  
  
• Other Practice Areas

  1. Business & Commercial Law- We provide a wide variety of services to business clients, including assistance in selecting the type of organizational entity under which to operate, negotiating and preparing business agreements, drafting contracts, assisting in the sale and purchase of a business, obtaining financing and funding for business operations, and assisting in dissolution or business succession.

  2. Business Organizations-- The form of a business affects every aspect of its operation. We assist clients in formation and business planning, and in deciding whether they want to operate as a closely held business, limited liability company, partnership, or corporation. We advise our clients about directors' and officers' liability, dissolution, franchising, reorganization, trade association membership and activity, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, business successions, and shareholders' rights.

  3. Debtor/Creditor We work on behalf of both debtors and creditors to resolve disputes. This often includes negotiating payment plans and concessions by the parties.

  4. Driving Under The Influence (DUI/DWI)- Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense. Throughout our years of practice, we have defended numerous individuals charged with DUI/DWI, with tremendous success in either pleading to a lesser offense or getting the charges dismissed altogether.

  5. Landlord/Tenant Law-- We have experience representing both landlords and tenants in both residential and commercial settings. This area of law includes such things as evictions, and violation of lease provisions.

  6. Motor Vehicle Accidents-Many personal injuries result from motor vehicle accidents. Auto accidents may involve negligence on the part of drivers, including drunk driving and other reckless behavior. If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident in California, we can assist you in receiving compensation for your injuries.

  7. Personal Injury- We represent plaintiffs involved in controversies alleging a wrong or damage to another's person, rights, reputation, or property resulting from events including, but not limited to, automobile accidents, defective products, negligence, and wrongful death.

  8. Real Estate- We represent both commercial clients and individuals in all proceedings and transactions that deal with real property - land and the structures attached to it. This includes, but is not limited to, purchase and sale transactions, commercial leasing, zoning and land use, and development strategies.

  9. Sexual Harassment- Over the years, our firm has helped numerous individuals obtain fair compensation for sexual harassment they have suffered. There are two major types of sexual harassment:

     1. Hostile-environment sexual harassment- This is where an employee in his/her work environment is subject to unwelcome verbal or physical sexual behavior that is either severe or pervasive.

     2. Quid pro quo sexual harassment- This is where the satisfaction of a sexual demand is used as the basis of an employment decision.

  10. Taxation Law- We represent individuals and commercial clients in matters with tax implications, identifying and addressing state and federal tax issues, and structuring transactions in such a way as to minimize taxes and avoid inherent tax problems. Addressing taxation issues is an integral part of our estate planning practice.