Tulare Family Lawyer

Tulare Family Attorney

Consider working with a skilled Tulare family lawyer if you want professional legal counsel and representation for your important family law case. At Chase Family Law, our attorney has assisted countless families over the decades with issues such as child custody, divorce, legal separation, and property division.

Understanding Family Law in Tulare, California

Family law refers to all legal issues concerning domestic relationships, such as child custody and divorce. For residents of Tulare, family law cases are most likely to be processed at the Visalia Courthouse at 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 201, Visalia, CA 93291. The courthouse that may handle your case can vary depending on the county you and your spouse live in.

Marital filings in 2021 accounted for over 108,000 cases across the state of California. This includes marriage dissolutions, legal separations, and nullities. That same year, more than 200,000 total cases were for other important family law filings, such as child support or paternity issues. In 2022, approximately 670,000 divorces were facilitated across the United States.

The Aspects of Family Law Our Lawyer Handles

Our firm’s seasoned attorney has overseen thousands of family law cases over the course of 30 years in Tulare. These are some of the most common areas of family law that our experienced family lawyer can assist you with:

• Prenuptial agreements: Some engaged couples may be interested in establishing a prenuptial agreement, a written legal document that outlines how certain divorce issues are to be handled in the event the marriage is ever dissolved.
• Divorce: Also known as the dissolution of one’s marriage, divorce is the legal process of ending a marital union.
• Legal separation: Similar to divorce, legal separation includes various issues that must be settled before the spouses are viewed as legally separated. When legally separated, spouses remain married in the eyes of the law despite living separately and independently of one another.
• Child custody: Custody in California includes the legal and physical custody of a child. When the parents of a child divorce, it must be decided how custody will be shared or if one parent is given sole custody.
• Child support: Parents are legally obligated to provide for their children financially. Both parents may be required to pay the other child support to some degree, depending on the custody arrangement. However, it’s generally the parent with whom the child does not primarily live who’s ordered to pay support.
• Property division: Community property, sometimes called marital property, is the sum of all property and debt incurred by spouses during their marriage. In a divorce, this shared marital estate must be equally distributed between the spouses.
• Spousal support: Similar to child support, a divorce settlement may include one spouse being ordered to provide financial support to the other. However, unlike child support, spousal support is not required and may not be awarded. The party requesting the support, also known as alimony, must be deemed eligible by the judge.
• Domestic violence: In instances of domestic violence or abuse, there are certain family law protections one can acquire, such as a restraining order. If the offender violates this order, there are legal repercussions.

FAQs About Tulare, CA Family Laws

How Is Child Custody Determined in California?

In the state of California, child custody is determined by considering various relevant factors. Parents can either propose a custody arrangement or leave the matter completely up to a judge, but in either case, the judge must approve the terms of custody.

Judges carefully consider several factors, such as the age and health of the child, whether specialized care is required, the parenting skills of each party, and the relationship the child has with each parent, among other vital details.

What Does a Prenuptial Agreement Do in California?

In California, a prenuptial agreement is a type of written premarital document from which some engaged couples may benefit. The purpose of prenuptial agreements is for couples to outline how they wish for their assets to be divided, whether to waive spousal support rights, and how to address other critical issues in the event they ever divorce.

While it may seem odd or pessimistic to plan for divorce before getting married, prenuptials provide numerous people with a sense of security.

What Are the Benefits of Divorce Mediation?

While not a feasible option for everyone, there are numerous potential benefits to divorce mediation, which is a form of dispute resolution that takes place outside of court within private proceedings.

Mediation is an appealing option for many people because it can be less costly than traditional court proceedings, in addition to requiring less time to reach a settlement. By working together, spouses can find solutions tailored to their individual needs, which is less likely in a courtroom setting.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in California?

How long it may take to complete a California divorce can vary. Your family law attorney can give you an accurate estimate of how long you should expect a divorce to take, given your circumstances. Most divorces require several months to settle.

Certain cases are complex and may need a year or longer to finalize. Factors that may influence the timeline of your divorce include how much property you have, whether someone requests spousal support, and whether you have kids.

How Does a Family Lawyer Help My Case?

In California, there are several ways in which a lawyer can help your family law case. Whether you’re beginning the divorce process or you need a professional opinion on a particular area of family law, such as modifying an existing custody order, family attorneys are there to explain your options and advise you on how to proceed.

Family lawyers advocate for you, representing your interests throughout the legal proceedings and offering insightful counsel based on your needs, goals, and preferences.

Strong Law Counsel for Family Law Issues

By entrusting the professional team at Chase Family Law, you can feel confident that your family law case is handled with the care and attention it deserves. Reach out to us today to schedule an initial consultation with our family lawyer.