Divorce Attorneys in Los Angeles, California
If you are getting a divorce, you need to protect your financial interests and your family’s future by working with experienced West Los Angeles divorce lawyers. Even when you and your spouse are amicable, legal representation ensures that your rights are respected and that the agreement is fair and legal, and likely to be upheld by the court.
Exceptional Divorce Representation at Zitser Family Law Group, APC
Zitser Family Law Group, APC, was founded on the premise of putting people first. When someone has a pressing family or divorce-related issue on hand, they need an attorney on their side whose number one priority is serving their best interests. Those who are high net-worth individuals absolutely require the assistance of a skilled West Los Angeles divorce attorney who can fight to protect their assets at every turn. We have over 20 years of experience helping high-net clients, so you can trust that we will provide you and your family with the high-quality legal representation you deserve. Contact Zitser Family Law Group, APC today to learn more about how we can help you through the legal process ahead.
Our Divorce Services
Those going through divorces need an attorney that understands both the emotional and the financial difficulties divorce sometimes poses. When beginning the divorce process, clients must feel assured that they have an attorney on their side who is the best fit to represent their interests. Zitser Family Law Group, APC, is that firm. We can help you through the following divorce-related issues:
- Alimony
Alimony, also called spousal support, is awarded based on several factors. For alimony awarded during a divorce, it is based on whether one spouse has a financial need, and the other spouse’s financial ability to provide that support. For alimony awarded as part of the divorce decree, its amount and duration are based on income, separate financial resources, and how long the couple was married. The goal of this type of alimony is to help the spouse become self-supporting.
- Annulments
An annulment is not possible in all cases. Couples can secure an annulment of their marriage if the marriage is illegal, either void or voidable. There are time limits on when you are able to file for an annulment depending on why the marriage is illegal. An annulment makes it so the marriage never existed, which is different from a divorce. Some annulments mean that the court does not have jurisdiction over property or alimony awards.
- Business Valuation
If either spouse owns a business, it will need to be appraised. It must also be categorized as separate or community property. If it or its interest is community property, then both spouses have an equal claim to it. Professional appraisers are necessary to determine the business’s value accurately and ensure both spouses receive an equal amount of assets considering the value of the business.
- Gray Divorce
Spouses getting a gray divorce have often been married for many years, meaning their community assets are substantial, and it can be difficult to extract their separate assets. These divorces also tend to have high-value assets including retirement accounts. It is important that these unique issues and the priorities of couples getting a gray divorce are given the care and consideration they deserve.
- High Profile Divorce
High-profile divorces require strategies to protect the privacy of both spouses and their families. Media attention can make an already emotional process even more stressful. Keeping the divorce out of court is typically beneficial for everyone.
High-profile divorces also tend to be high net worth, which means the valuation and division of property is more complex and can take longer. These divorces are also more likely to have existing marital agreements, which can affect this division of property.
- Post-Judgment Modifications
When a divorce decree is put into place by the court, there are several enforceable court orders. If either party fails to follow these orders, they can be held in contempt of court. However, not all the orders are permanent. Orders such as alimony, child custody, and child support could be modified if a family’s life circumstances are different.
Changes in income, financial resources, medical conditions, and other situations can allow these court orders to be altered to be in a family’s interest.
- Preparing for Divorce
Divorce preparation includes gathering important financial documents and other information that will be exchanged during divorce discovery and used to determine alimony, property division, child support, and child custody. Gathering this information in advance can help the divorce proceedings move more quickly.
- Property Distribution
The division of property splits community, or marital property. Spouses have an equal claim to community property, which the court splits 50/50, attempting to give each spouse as equal a portion of assets as possible. Each spouse keeps their separate property, which includes assets and debts obtained before the marriage or after separation as well as any gifts or inheritance.
In order to divide property, it must all be categorized and appraised. For couples with complex and high-value assets, this is a longer process that requires professional appraisers, forensic accountants, and other professionals.
Couples can divide their community assets and debts how they wish, and not be required to follow the court’s 50/50 community property laws. However, the final agreement must still be approved by the court. If the agreement is unfair to either spouse, the court is unlikely to allow it.
- Separation
Legal separation means that spouses are still legally married, but take steps to live separately. This includes determining the division of their community property, awarding alimony, and determining decisions for custody and support of any children they have. This may be a precursor to getting a divorce or a couple’s final step.
Family Law Services
Zitser Family Law Group, APC, is also proud to help you through various family law issues, including the following:
- Adoption
Adoption is a joyful process, but also legally complex. An experienced adoption attorney can help families navigate the process successfully, whether the adoption is independent, within the family, or through a private or public agency.
- Child Custody
Child custody must be determined when couples separate or divorce. All child custody cases are determined based on the child’s best interests, including their physical and emotional well-being and their basic needs. Parents can determine custody arrangements if they can reach an agreement the court approves of. Otherwise, the court will determine the legal custody and physical custody of the children.
- Child Support
Child support is a child’s right. Both parents have an obligation to provide financial support, and child support ensures that both meet this obligation even when they are separated. The amount of child support and which parent pays it will depend on the income of each parent, their combined income, the child’s basic and extraordinary needs, and the amount of parenting time each parent has.
- Domestic Violence
Families and individuals dealing with domestic violence can take action to file a restraining order and secure the support of a compassionate legal representative.
- Parenting Time
Parenting time is also called visitation, and it is determined as part of the custody arrangement. The specifics of parenting time are outlined in a parenting plan and the schedule a family will follow.
- Paternity
When parents are unmarried, they must establish the paternity of their child. Paternity can be legally established voluntarily, or through the court if either parent refuses or is uncertain. Establishing paternity ensures that a child has the support of both of their parents, and each parent has important legal rights and obligations.
- Prenuptial Agreement
Prenuptial agreements outline spousal rights to property in several circumstances, including divorce. They can speed up the divorce process, but they can also be unfair or invalid, complicating the process.
- Move-Away Cases
Move-away cases go to court when the other parent does not want the parent to relocate with children, or if the relocation would change the custody arrangement. The court will determine if the move is in the child’s interests.
Contact a West Los Angeles, California Divorce Attorney
Our law firm has been helping high net-worth individuals throughout West Los Angeles and California for over 20 years, which is why if you are in need of legal assistance, you can feel confident that Zitser Family Law Group, APC will fight for the best outcome possible, every step of the way. Contact us today so we can get started.
