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At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we’re here to help you meet your family’s needs. No matter where you are in the divorce process, you can rely on our Ross family law attorneys for support and guidance. Our lead attorney, Debra R. Schoenberg, holds the title of Certified Family Law Specialist. She has undergone additional education and training and successfully passed a written examination focusing on family law, earning certification from the State Board of Legal Specialists as a specialist in this field. She was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is a Board-Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA).
A family law attorney in Ross knows how to handle your divorce case for the best possible outcome. While you focus on your future, your attorney will work toward your goals using effective legal strategies. A law firm also has valuable resources to support your case, including connections to experts and assistants to simplify the divorce filing process. Our team also assists couples in drafting and reviewing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to protect their assets, clarify financial expectations, and prevent future disputes.
Hiring a divorce attorney means protecting yourself and your rights with a strong legal advocate dedicated to your best interests. Your lawyer can improve the chances of reaching a divorce settlement, helping you avoid a lengthy and expensive trial. They can also reduce the emotional stress on you and your family by addressing your concerns. Working with an experienced divorce lawyer in Ross can lead to a more favorable case outcome and a better overall legal experience for your family.
One of the first steps in getting a divorce in Ross is deciding if it’s the right choice for you. Some couples find that legal separation is a better alternative for various reasons. For instance, if you want to keep benefits associated with being married, such as insurance or healthcare, legal separation allows you to live independently while still receiving these benefits since you remain married on paper.
If there’s a possibility of reconciling with your spouse, legal separation is also a better option because it’s easy to reverse and restore your marriage. Divorce, on the other hand, is final. Legal separation can be a transitional step before divorce, allowing you to separate your finances, credit, and bank accounts and build financial independence. It can also help you and your spouse create a settlement agreement or obtain a separation judgment, making the divorce process smoother if you decide to proceed later.
Besides divorce and legal separation, there are other legal options. For example, you might qualify for an annulment, which means that legally, your marriage never existed. An annulment nullifies the marriage, returning you to “single” status, which may be an option if your marriage was never legally valid, such as in cases of bigamy, incest, one or more parties being under 18 without parental consent, fraud, or coercion.
In California, divorces aren’t blamed on either spouse. Instead, they’re typically attributed to irreconcilable differences or an irreparable breakdown of the marriage, making California a “no-fault” divorce state.
California has residency requirements for filing for divorce. One spouse must have lived in California for at least six months before filing, and must have resided in the county where they’re filing for at least three months before filing.
If spouses can’t meet California’s residency requirements initially, they can file for legal separation and later change it to a divorce once they meet the residency criteria. A divorce is finalized once a judge orders it, and there’s a minimum waiting period of six months.
In California, when courts decide child custody matters, their main concerns are the well-being of the children involved and the custodial parent’s capability to provide care. Two types of custody are recognized: legal and physical.
Legal custody involves making significant decisions in the child’s life, such as healthcare, religion, and education. Physical custody refers to which parent the child lives or stays with.
Courts assess child custody based on various factors, including:
When awarding custody, courts don’t favor one parent over the other based on gender, lifestyle, sexual orientation, or religion.
Every parent has a legal obligation to support their child or children financially. Child support entails a court-mandated monthly payment to cover the costs of raising a child. Family law judges in California refer to state guidelines when determining child support orders.
The level of support is determined by various factors, including the time each parent dedicates to caring for the child and their earnings. When parents don’t have custody, they’re typically required to provide regular child support payments to contribute to their upbringing expenses. Child support obligations generally last until the child reaches either 18 years old or 19 if they’re unmarried and attending high school full-time. In unique situations, the court might extend child support beyond adulthood. In cases where a child has a disability or cannot sustain themselves, the court may order continued support from the parents.
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our attorneys are skilled advocates committed to offering you the practical guidance and representation you deserve. We care deeply about your family and your future, and we strive to keep you informed every step of the way. Contact us today!
We will listen to your concerns with compassion and advocate for your needs, whether you’re protecting your children, ensuring a fair financial outcome, or navigating the divorce process smoothly. Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., is here to support you.
"I was seeking a reputable family law firm for my prenuptial agreement and received high praise for the Schoenberg Law Group. My attorney listened to my questions and responded to them very patiently. She also paid close attention all my concerns and made sure I was aware of the legal value of the agreement I was about to sign. It was…”
D.R.“It has been a real blessing to find this family law group in my life. I was in the middle of a custody battle with my ex wife and had a lawyer who had sided with my ex wife’s lawyer. I was faced with the option of paying to a regular lawyer to do half jobs with no results or to invest a bit more for a top family counselor who understood my situation and at the same time not giving me false hopes."
A.L."I hesitated filing papers for a long time because I was not sure if I could survive a long legal battle. When we were married, my husband worked while I raised the children, two under four years old, and I was afraid I would lose the stability they needed. I had a wonderful group of friends that helped me search for a reputable law firm that could represent me when my focus was on my children. They found the"
L.A.We are trial lawyers who litigate high-conflict, high-stakes cases. While we try to build on mediation efforts and exhaust opportunities for a negotiated agreement, emotions, egos and various other realities often force these disputes into court. It is critical to work with a firm that knows how to apply the law and the facts in your favor, whether in the courtroom or at the negotiating table.
Debra Schoenberg was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Designated as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization
Board-Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by The National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA)
One of California’s Top Family Lawyers for five consecutive years: 2022–2026
SFLG Voted #1 Family Law Firm in California for six consecutive years: 2021 - 2026
One of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by San Francisco Business Times
“My goal is to preserve your dignity and your humanity throughout what can be a very difficult and painful process, while at the same time achieving a favorable outcome on your behalf.”
Over 400 Years of Collective Family Law Experience
Debra R. Schoenberg
Owner & Founder
Lily Huang
Senior Associate
Kimia Kojouri
Associate
Miho Takarada
Senior Counsel
