Experienced Family Law Attorneys in Piedmont, California
Family law disputes are complicated, stressful, and highly emotional. Negotiating divorce issues such as asset division and child custody arrangements is an involved and often lengthy process. Complex laws, heavy paperwork, and ongoing conflict can make it feel overwhelming.
Having an experienced and compassionate legal professional by your side can greatly enhance your outcomes and provide the peace of mind you deserve. The Piedmont, CA Family Law Attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. offer the expertise, insight, and dedication needed to navigate your family law matters effectively.
Expertise in All Areas of Family Law
For over 35 years, the team at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has been dedicated to guiding clients through every aspect of family law. Our experienced and knowledgeable attorneys are equipped to handle:
- Divorces, separations, and prenuptial agreements
- Child custody matters, including financial support
- Property division issues
Debra R. Schoenberg leads the firm. With well over three decades of experience, education, and training in the field of family law, Debra has earned the title of Certified Family Law Specialist from the State Board of Legal Specialization. In addition, she has been 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).
We understand the sensitive nature of family law cases and work diligently to address your unique needs and concerns. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we are committed to providing you with fierce advocacy and compassionate support throughout the entire process. Reach out to our team today for a confidential consultation.
Mediation and Its Impact on Family Law in Piedmont, CA
Most divorce and family law disputes are resolved through mediation rather than going to trial. Mediation allows couples to work through issues like parenting plans and property division collaboratively, resulting in faster and more cost-effective resolutions. It also gives you and your ex-spouse more control over the outcome of your case, rather than leaving the decision to a judge.
Engaging an experienced attorney can significantly enhance your chances of resolving your case through mediation. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our skilled lawyers are adept at pre-trial settlement negotiations, helping you reach a resolution without going to court. However, if your case does proceed to trial in Alameda County, you can trust our firm to provide robust representation. Our attorneys leverage their deep knowledge of California family law and court systems to advocate for your interests effectively and strategically.
Separations in Piedmont, California
Divorce in Piedmont can be a deeply personal and complex process, often becoming more challenging than necessary. The divorce attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. are here to support you through this difficult time, managing the emotional aspects of your case and helping you navigate your needs and legal options to reach your goals. Our team has extensive experience in addressing a wide range of issues that may arise during a divorce, including:
- Temporary orders for financial support, child custody, and property division
- LGBT-related proceedings, including domestic partnerships
- Execution and enforcement of prenuptial agreements
- Immediate actions in response to acts of domestic violence
We address all of your concerns throughout the process, ensuring that every aspect of your case is handled with trust, care, transparency, and integrity. Our family law attorneys in Piedmont, CA are dedicated to offering personalized service tailored to your specific objectives. From start to finish, you will receive attentive, one-on-one care from your lawyer at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.
Support for Domestic Partnerships
A domestic partnership is a formal arrangement between two people who live together but are not married. In California, registering a domestic partnership grants the same benefits, legal rights, and protections as marriage, including health care and insurance benefits. It also imposes the same responsibilities and obligations as those of married couples. To register, you must first ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and then complete and submit the necessary legal paperwork to the civil courts in your county.
Recent updates to California’s domestic partnership laws, effective January 1, 2020, allow anyone eligible to marry to also register as domestic partners, regardless of age or sexual orientation. The new law introduced updated registration forms, which must be mailed to the California Secretary of State or submitted in person at an office location. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. in Piedmont, CA, our experienced family law attorneys can assist you with the registration process and necessary paperwork.
If you need to terminate your domestic partnership in California, our attorneys are here to help with the legal process. If you and your partner have no shared property, debts, or children, you may qualify for a summary dissolution, which is a simpler and faster process than a traditional dissolution. If you do not meet the criteria for a summary dissolution, you will need to follow the traditional divorce process, which involves filing a notice of termination, reaching an agreement with your partner, and potentially going to trial.
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our experienced family law attorneys can guide you through both the registration and termination of domestic partnerships throughout California.
Our Piedmont Family Law Attorneys Focus on Your Children’s Best Interests
Custody and visitation rights are often the most emotionally charged issues in family law, with profound impacts for both you and your children. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our experienced attorneys understand the serious and delicate nature of custody disputes and are dedicated to addressing these matters with both expertise and empathy. We handle all aspects of custody cases, including:
- Custody evaluations
- Paternity rights and DNA testing
- Child support arrangements
- Supervised visitations
- Distinguishing between “physical” and “legal” custody
We collaborate closely with our clients to address their custody needs, leveraging our deep understanding of California’s court system and its approach to child custody and support. Our attorneys are equipped to assist your family in navigating these issues both inside and outside the courtroom. Our primary focus is the well-being and safety of the children, ensuring they receive the care and support they need.
Determining Child Custody and Support in Piedmont, CA
Addressing your child’s future and wellbeing can be among the most challenging aspects of a divorce. In California, you and your spouse have the option to negotiate a child custody and support agreement on your own, either with or without the assistance of legal professionals and mediators. If you and your spouse can work together to reach an agreement, it can be approved by a judge in Alameda County, provided it meets legal requirements. When possible, it is beneficial to avoid a a battle over custody.
Developing a comprehensive and legally sound parenting plan may require the expertise of an attorney. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our lawyers are dedicated to advocating for your rights and interests and protecting your child’s welfare in pre-trial negotiations. We can assist you in crafting a parenting plan that outlines legal and physical custody, holiday and special occasion arrangements, healthcare and education decisions, and other crucial aspects. Our goal is to facilitate productive discussions between you and your ex-spouse to enhance the likelihood of resolving matters without the need for court intervention.
If mediation does not resolve your case, it may need to proceed to trial in Alameda County. In a family law trial, a judge will make the final decisions on critical issues, such as child custody and support. This process can introduce an element of unpredictability, as you and your spouse will lose direct control over these decisions. Instead, the court will consider factors such as your incomes and your relationship with your child to determine the outcome. The court evaluates various elements when deciding on custody and support, which are detailed further below. Engaging our experienced attorneys can enhance your chances of achieving favorable results in a divorce trial or property dispute in California.
Ensuring You Receive Your Fair Share of Property in Piedmont, CA Family Law
Dividing assets during a divorce or separation can be very complex and contentious, even in amicable cases. The process of dividing estates and property can involve unique challenges that require unconventional solutions, such as:
- Complex property distribution
- Retirement portfolios
- Loans and other debts
- Alimony payments
- Valuations of businesses or professional practices
- Property division for unmarried clients, including those in domestic partnerships
At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we have the expertise to handle even the most intricate issues of property and wealth division. We focus on your needs to ensure that you achieve the best possible financial outcome after separation, which may include filing for temporary or long-term spousal maintenance.
How Community Property Laws Impact Family Law Cases in Piedmont, CA
California is one of the few states that follows community property laws. In these states, property division during a divorce is based on a straightforward principle: all community property is split equally between the spouses. Although simple in theory, in practice the asset division process can be challenging and high-conflict. The court does not consider fault or personal circumstances when dividing assets. This means that, regardless of who earned more or contributed more financially during the marriage, all assets and debts acquired during the marriage will be divided 50/50.
Community property typically includes:
- Real estate
- Investments
- 401(k) and retirement accounts
- Life insurance policies
- Jointly owned businesses
- Stocks and bonds
- Bank accounts
- Cash
- Furniture
- Vehicles
- Jewelry
- Credit card debts
- Pets
The courts in California can only divide community property during a divorce. They do not have authority over separate property. This means you will retain all assets and debts you brought into the marriage individually, such as separate bank accounts, personal gifts, or inheritances received solely by you. Any property that was acquired jointly or has been commingled during the marriage will be considered community property and will be subject to an equal 50/50 division in divorce proceedings in Alameda County.
What California Courts Evaluate in Piedmont, CA Family Law Cases
One of the key advantages of working with our Piedmont, CA family law attorneys is gaining valuable insights into the factors that California and county courts consider in family law cases. Understanding these factors can help you prepare for the legal process and achieve your desired outcomes. Our attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. offer expert guidance, tailored strategies, and effective legal tactics based on our deep knowledge of California’s family law system.
Factors considered by the courts include:
- The child’s best interests
- The income and earning potential of each spouse
- Contributions each spouse made to the marriage
- Sacrifices made by one spouse for family care, if applicable
- California’s property division laws
- The mental health and stability of each parent
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
- Child abuse or neglect issues
- Criminal convictions
- The parent-child relationship
- The child’s age and health
- The child’s preferences, if mature enough
- Each parent’s ability to provide care
- The child’s ties to school and the community
The factors the courts consider during your case will vary depending on the specific decisions being made and the unique aspects of your situation. Our attorneys can provide clarity on what the courts might focus on based on the details of your case. In California, family law cases are handled on a no-fault basis, meaning that fault is not a consideration in divorce proceedings. Neither spouse is required to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. However, if the case involves issues like domestic violence, abuse, or other criminal matters, the courts may take these factors into account if they are relevant to the case.
Contact Our Piedmont, CA Family Law Attorneys Today For A Consultation
For over 35 years, Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has been dedicated to assisting clients with divorce and other family law issues. Our attorneys approach each case with compassion, transparency, and a commitment to advocating for your best interests. We are thorough in discussing your legal options and focus on achieving a fair outcome for you and your children.
While we strive to resolve matters amicably and out of court, we are prepared to go to trial if it’s necessary to safeguard your rights. If you have questions or concerns about divorce, custody, property division, or any other family law issues, please reach out to us by phone or through our online contact form.
