Dedicated Family Attorneys in Woodside, CA
Disputes over family-related issues can be extremely difficult and stressful. Whether you’re going through a painful and complicated divorce or working out child custody arrangements, the process can feel overwhelming, filled with conflict, countless details, and endless paperwork. These matters are emotionally taxing and can take years to fully resolve.
Having a knowledgeable and compassionate legal professional by your side can make all the difference. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we offer the expertise, insight, and experience you need to smoothly navigate every aspect of family law. Our skilled and compassionate team of Woodside family law attorneys can help achieve the best possible outcomes in your case while providing the peace of mind you deserve.
Expertise In All Areas of Family Law
For over 35 years, Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has been dedicated to assisting clients with a wide range of family law matters. Our attorneys are well-versed in all aspects of family law, including:
- Divorce, separation, and prenuptial agreements
- Child custody and financial support issues
- Property division
Our lead attorney, Debra R. Schoenberg, is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State of California Board of Legal Specialization. She has extensive education, training, and experience, and is a frequent lecturer in the field of family law. 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).
Debra and the firm have a long-established professional reputation for their thoroughness, attention to detail, strategic thinking, and dedication to fierce advocacy and compassionate client service.
If you are dealing with a family-related legal issue, contact Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. today. We understand the emotional toll these situations can take, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. We’re committed to addressing your needs and concerns with attention, care, transparency, and communication, ensuring that you feel supported throughout the entire process.
Mediation & Its Impact on Family Law in Woodside
Divorce and family law cases are challenging and emotional. Adding the stress of an expensive, drawn-out court battle can intensify the strain. Many couples benefit from addressing their issues through mediation, which allows them to work together in a non-adversarial way to create parenting plans and property division agreements. Mediation offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative to going to trial. It also gives you and your former spouse far more control over the outcome, rather than putting highly personal decisions in the hands of a judge. Engaging a skilled lawyer can significantly enhance your chances of settling your case outside of the courtroom.
The seasoned attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. can guide you through pre-trial settlement negotiations, potentially resolving your case before it ever reaches trial. However, if your case does proceed to trial in Woodside, you can rest assured that our lawyers are well-prepared to aggressively advocate for your rights and a favorable outcome. We leverage proven strategies, creative solutions, decades of experience, and a deep understanding of California’s family laws and court system to achieve the best possible results in your case.
We Manage Separations In Woodside
If you’re navigating a divorce in Woodside, you know it is a deeply personal journey that can quickly become overly complicated and contentious. The experienced and empathetic divorce attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. in Woodside understand how hard this process is. We are here to help shoulder the emotional burden while smoothing and streamlining the proceedings as much as possible. Our team is well-versed in handling various issues that may arise, including:
- Temporary orders for financial support, child custody, and property division
- LGBT-related proceedings, including domestic partnerships
- Preparation of prenuptial agreements
- Immediate actions against domestic violence threats
We listen, get to know your case in detail, take all of your concerns into account, and ensure that your needs are thoroughly addressed. Our family law attorneys are committed to delivering personalized services tailored to each client’s unique goals. From start to finish, you will receive dedicated, one-on-one attention from your lawyer at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.
Support for Registered Domestic Partnerships
A registered domestic partnership is a legally recognized relationship between two people who live together but are not married. In California, registering a domestic partnership grants the same benefits, rights, and protections as marriage, including healthcare and insurance benefits, as well as the same responsibilities. To register, you must first confirm your eligibility, then complete and submit the appropriate paperwork to the Secretary of State in Sacramento.
As of January 1, 2020, California’s domestic partnership laws allow anyone eligible to marry to register as domestic partners, regardless of age or sexual orientation. New forms are required for registration, which must be submitted to the California Secretary of State by mail or in person. The experienced attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. can assist you with the registration process in California.
Our attorneys are also equipped to help with the termination of domestic partnerships. If you and your partner have no shared property, debts, or children, you may qualify for a summary dissolution, a simpler alternative to traditional divorce. If not, you will need to go through the standard divorce process, including filing termination papers, negotiating with your partner, or potentially going to trial. Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has extensive experience in assisting couples with both registering and terminating domestic partnerships throughout California.
Our Woodside Family Law Attorneys Focus on Your Children’s Needs
Custody and visitation rights are among the most delicate issues in family law, carrying significant emotional weight for both parents and children as well as presenting enormous logistical hurdles. The Woodside family attorneys at Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. understand the seriousness of custody disputes and are equipped to handle all aspects of custody, including:
- Custody evaluations
- Paternity rights, including DNA testing
- Child support
- Supervised visitations
- Differentiating between “physical” and “legal” custody
We work closely with our clients to understand their custody needs and provide guidance on how California courts approach decisions related to child custody and support. Whether resolving these issues in or out of court, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of the children involved, ensuring they receive the care and support they need.
Deciding On Child Custody and Support in Woodside
Custody decisions, which determine many factors pertaining to your child’s future and wellbeing, are one of the most challenging and emotional parts of the divorce process. In California, you and your spouse have the initial opportunity to create a child custody agreement together. If you can work collaboratively, either on your own or with the help of attorneys and mediators, you can maintain control over choices regarding child custody, support, property division, and other aspects of your divorce. Typically, a judge in Woodside will approve any agreement that complies with the law.
Crafting a suitable and legally sound parenting plan—covering custody and time-sharing— generally requires the assistance of an attorney. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., our lawyers will work closely with you to protect your rights and interests during negotiations with your ex-spouse. We can assist in drafting a comprehensive parenting plan that addresses legal and physical custody, holidays, special occasions, healthcare, education, and other crucial matters. Our goal is to facilitate productive discussions between you and your ex-spouse to increase the likelihood of avoiding court.
If mediation doesn’t resolve the issues, your case may proceed to trial in Woodside. At trial, a judge will make the final decision on key matters, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes. You and your spouse will no longer have control over decisions regarding child custody and support. Instead, the court will consider various factors, such as your income and your relationship with your child, to make these important determinations. The court’s approach to deciding child custody and support will be discussed in more detail later. Hiring our experienced attorneys can help you achieve the outcomes you seek in a divorce trial in California.
What California Courts Consider in Woodside Family Law Cases
One advantage of hiring our Woodside family law attorneys is gaining insight into the factors judges evaluate in family law cases. Understanding the trial process can help you prepare for what lies ahead. At Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., we tailor legal strategies to your unique situation, leveraging our knowledge of what California courts consider during these cases.
Key factors include:
- The child’s best interests
- Income and earning potential of each spouse
- Contributions made by each spouse during the marriage
- Sacrifices one spouse made to raise a family
- California’s property division laws
- Mental health and status of each parent
- Any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or criminal convictions
- Child abuse or neglect
- The relationship between the child and parent
- The child’s age, health, and wishes (if mature enough)
- Each parent’s ability to care for the child
- The child’s ties to school and community
The specific factors the courts will consider depend on the decisions being made and the unique aspects of your case. Our attorneys can help you understand what might be relevant based on your situation. It’s important to note that California courts do not consider fault in family law cases, as all divorces in the state are no-fault. However, issues like domestic violence or abuse may be taken into account if they are pertinent to the case.
Contact an Experienced Woodside Family Lawyer
For over 35 years, Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. has been dedicated to assisting clients in all aspects of divorce and family law. Our legal professionals are committed to advocating for you with compassion, empathy, and transparency. We take the time to clearly explain your legal options, always prioritizing the best interests of you and your children to achieve a fair outcome.
While we strive to resolve matters out of court, we are fully prepared to go to trial when necessary to protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
If you have any questions or concerns about your legal options related to divorce, custody, property division, or any other family law issues, please call us or contact us online.
