OUR EXPERTISE

Experts in Family Law

We do one thing and one thing only — family law — and we do it well.

Family law matters are understandably emotional, but most of the issues that you will confront are generally well-settled in California. That means there are answers. Ford Family Law attorneys are experts who have dedicated their careers to family law. We get you the answers you need so that you can make informed decisions, get your family law matter resolved, and get on with your life.

Child Custody

There are two types of child custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the right to have input into decisions affecting the child. Physical custody is the frequency of access that each parent has to the child. Understandably, parents are worried and afraid about child custody issues. The reality, however, is that most parents, with the assistance of experienced family law counsel, are able to reach equitable custody agreements.

Child Support

In California, both parents have a legal obligation to contribute to the support of their children. As a result of this obligation, when parents divorce, typically, one parent must pay the other parent child support. Generally, this obligation continues until the child’s 18th birthday.

Complex Property Division

Under California law, assets acquired during marriage are presumed to be community property. Community property assets are jointly and equally owned by the spouses. This presumption may be overcome by a spouse if that spouse can prove that they have a separate property interest to some portion of, or perhaps all, of the asset.

Dividing a Family Business

A successful family business is often the source that funds a family’s lifestyle — and one of the family’s most valuable assets. Valuing that business during a divorce is a complex undertaking that requires expert knowledge, experience, and skill. Our attorneys work with respected forensic accountants to develop reasonable, accurate, and fair business valuations.

Divorce

To file for divorce in California, you must be a resident of California for at least six months and a resident of the county in which you file for three months. A common misconception in California is that a divorce becomes final six months after filing. In reality, a divorce in California becomes final only when the divorce action is settled and resolved by a final judgment of the Court – which may take years. There is a process in California where the Court will confirm your divorce status on or around the six-month anniversary of your divorce filing — so that you can get remarried — leaving issues of support, child custody, and property division to be determined later.

Options, RSUs, and Other Equity Compensation

The division of stock, performance units, stock options, and restricted stock units (RSUs) are common divorce issues in California because many Bay Area employees receive equity as part of their compensation packages. Not only is equity compensation likely to be deemed community property, but future stock options and RSUs may be taken into consideration for child support and spousal support calculations.

Parentage

A paternity action is required to legally recognize the parental rights of unmarried persons, to establish enforceable custody and visitation schedules, and to ensure that a child receives financial support from both parents. Without a Judgment of Paternity or a Declaration of Paternity, a person may permanently lose any legal standing as a child’s parent, and/or a child may go without support.

Pensions, Retirement plans, and Deferred Compensation Plans

Pensions and retirement benefits accumulated during the marriage are community property and thus subject to division during a divorce. Even if a pension or retirement benefit has not yet been vested and/or the member of the plan has not yet retired, any benefit attributable to a spouse’s employment during the marriage is community property and, thus, must be valued and divided during a divorce.

Premarital and Postnuptial Agreements

A premarital agreement is a written agreement between prospective spouses made in contemplation of and to be effective upon their marriage. Premarital agreements are becoming increasingly common, especially when parties have children from prior relationships or when one spouse is employed by or owns a family-run business.

Spousal Support/Domestic Partner Support

Spousal support (for married couples) and domestic partner support (for a couple in a domestic partnership) are often the most contentious, emotionally charged issues in a divorce. There are two types of support: (1) temporary support, which one spouse pays to the other during the divorce process, and (2) post-judgment support, which is often paid by one spouse to the other permanently unless one of the spouses goes to Court to seek a modification of the support order.

Ready To Move Forward?

(510) 835-9000

DISCLAIMER: Contacting Ford Family Law, PC (“the Firm”), or any of our attorneys through our website does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the Firm. You become a client of the Firm when (1) the Firm investigates for possible conflicts of interest that would prevent us from representing you, and (2) you sign a written engagement agreement that details the scope of the Firm’s engagement, the fee the Firm will charge, and other relevant matters. Normally, this process takes several days. Therefore, if your matter is urgent, you should not wait for our response to your inquiry. You should instead promptly find and engage another lawyer or law firm so that your rights will be protected.