Divorce Attorneys in Manhattan Beach, California
A divorce is a significant upheaval in a family’s life. While it is often a choice made for a family’s benefit, it is still a legally and financially complex process. When you are beginning the process of a divorce, you need dedicated Manhattan Beach divorce lawyers who know how to navigate complex assets, complex schedules for child custody, and financial negotiations, all while protecting your interests and remaining discreet.
Zitser Family Law Group, APC: Dedicated to Your Future
The Zitser Family Law Group, APC has helped high net-worth clients in Manhattan Beach and throughout California for over 20 years through various divorce and family law issues, and if you find yourself looking to get divorced, you’ve come to the right place. We know how much you have at stake, and our job is to protect your family and your future. For a battle-tested legal team that you can trust, contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today to learn more about how we can help you through the legal process ahead.
Our Divorce Services
High net-worth individuals have more on the line than the average person when getting a divorce, which is why they need a legal team that truly understands all the nuances and facets of divorce and family law to ensure their assets are protected from the equitable distribution process.
Divorces can be handled through litigation in court or with out-of-court methods like mediation. Some divorces are uncontested, meaning couples agree on the major aspects of their separation agreement like alimony and child custody. Spouses can then negotiate the details, and present it to the court for approval. A divorce can also be contested when couples do not agree. Spouses can still negotiate their divorce out of court, although litigation may be necessary.
We are all highly qualified to assist you through any divorce-related matter, including:
- Alimony
Alimony payments are calculated by looking at factors like each party’s income and financial resources, as well as the duration of the marriage. The support may be awarded during divorce proceedings, as part of the final divorce decree, or both.
- Annulments
An annulment is different from a divorce, and can only be secured in very specific circumstances when a marriage is invalid. An annulment does not end a marriage like a divorce does, but states that the marriage did not exist and was never valid. Because of what an annulment does, it may not always be in a spouse’s interest to secure it. In some annulments, the court cannot award alimony or address marital property, which can leave a spouse in a difficult financial position.
- Business Valuation
The division of community property is more complicated when one or both parties own a business. Experienced professionals are crucial in this case to evaluate the business.
- Gray Divorce
A gray divorce is the term for divorces between spouses 50 and older. These individuals have unique aspects in their divorce: adult children, important inheritance rights, and significant retirement accounts. It is important that the attorney handling such a divorce has experience with the unique assets and goals of spouses getting a gray divorce.
- High Profile Divorce
High-profile divorces have unique privacy and financial concerns. Unlike other divorces, celebrity and/or high-net-worth divorces are often subject to increased media frenzy and public attention. This can worsen the emotional strain of a divorce, so it is important that legal representation in these cases understands the necessity of privacy.
High-profile divorces also require professional support for the division of property, and to determine the right custody arrangement.
- Post-Judgment Modifications
After a divorce is finalized, some of the court orders can be modified if significant life changes occur. It is important for individuals to petition the court for modification if a life change has impacted their ability to pay support or keep to a custody agreement.
- Preparing for Divorce
An attorney can help you gather the financial documents and other crucial information needed to prepare for the divorce process.
- Property Distribution
Nearly every divorce requires the division of marital property, or community property. Spouses each keep their own separate assets and divide marital assets. It is crucial that all assets are accurately valued and categorized. The right legal support can help with this and provide professional resources, including forensic accountants.
Couples can divide assets as they wish, but if they cannot or the court believes the agreement is unfair, the court will divide marital assets 50/50.
- Separation
Legal separation is different from divorce, because a couple remains legally married, but divides property and goes through other legal separation processes. This may be a precursor to divorce or a couple’s final step to separate.
Family Law Services
Zitser Family Law Group, APC, also helps those who have certain family law issues to navigate, raging anywhere from prenuptial agreements to adoptions. We can guide you through the following family law matters:
- Adoption
Adoption is a complex process, often requiring home studies, background checks, and numerous other requirements. These requirements differ depending on whether you adopt through the foster system, with an independent agreement between birth parents and adoptive parents, or with a private agency. Navigating this process is clearer with a knowledgeable family law attorney.
- Child Custody
A child custody arrangement has to be reached when couples divorce or separate. Both parents have equal rights to request custody and visitation. If parents can agree on a custody arrangement outside of court, the court reviews the agreement to determine if it is in the child’s interests. If parents cannot agree, then the court decides how to award physical and legal custody based on the child’s interests.
- Child Support
Child support determinations are based on how much parenting time the child spends with each parent, the income of each parent, and certain other factors. In most cases, the parent with more parenting time is paid child support by the other parent. This is because the parent with less parenting time is responsible for fewer of the child’s daily expenses.
However, income can change this. The parent with a higher income is likely to pay support, as each parent should pay a proportional amount of their income to support their child.
- Domestic Violence
Domestic violence accusations can affect child custody and support decisions significantly, and may even affect alimony. Domestic violence is a very serious situation, and individuals and their families should take what actions they can to protect themselves. The support of an attorney can help spouses file for protective orders and understand their rights in a legal case.
- Parenting Time
Parenting time is determined in a custody arrangement. Parenting time and other custody decisions are determined when parents or the court makes a parenting plan.
- Paternity
A paternity determination states the legal and biological parents of a child, which may be necessary if the parents are not married. This ensures both parents of the same rights and obligations for their child and entitles the child to financial support from both of their parents. Parents can voluntarily assert the parentage of a child, or go through the court to establish paternity.
- Prenuptial Agreement
Prenuptial agreements are contracts signed by couples prior to their marriage. It outlines the division of property during divorce, as well as each spouse’s abilities and responsibilities to property during their marriage. When they are valid and fair, these agreements can be incredibly helpful during divorce and make it go much more quickly. Improperly made or unfair agreements, however, can make a divorce more complicated.
- Move-Away Cases
Following a divorce or separation, many parents may want to start anew elsewhere, pursuing job opportunities, better schools, or familial connections. Also called relocation cases, move-away cases happen when this move interferes with the custody arrangement, and/or if the other parent disagrees with the move. A parent who wishes to move may have to prove that it is beneficial for the child.
Contact a Manhattan Beach, California Divorce Attorney
Our law firm has helped high net-worth individuals throughout Manhattan Beach and California for over 20 years, and we are ready to put that experience to work on your case. Do not settle for any divorce attorney, especially with so much on the line. Contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC to learn more about why choosing our firm is the right move for you. We are here to help.
